Below you can find links to some of Tri-State's major reports and publications. All documents are in Adobe Acrobat's PDF format (Get Adobe Acrobat Reader here).
The State of Transportation: Benchmarks for Sustainable Transportation in New Jersey - New Jerseyans are driving less and taking transit more, according to this update of a 2006 TSTC report. The report covers 25 different measures of transportation in the state, including infrastructure, service, travel choices, congestion, and crowding.
Express Route to Better Bus Service - This report recommends both short and long term measures to improve bus service across the Hudson, including a New Jersey-bound exclusive bus lane through the Lincoln Tunnel during evening rush hours, better online information on bus routes, and expediting a study which began in 2005 to increase road space for buses traveling to the Lincoln Tunnel during morning rush hours. The report also calls for the New York City Department of Transportation to develop a coordinated approach to managing the growth in interstate buses on city streets.
Smart Mobility Analysis of NJ Turnpike Widening FEIS - This independent analysis shows that congestion relief on the New Jersey Turnpike can be achieved by less expensive and environmentally threatening methods than the planned expansion project. It highlights multiple errors in the NJ Turnpike Authority's environmental review documents that overstate the need for the widening project. The report was prepared by Smart Mobility, Inc. and commissioned by TSTC.
Older Pedestrians at Risk - Older pedestrians are far more likely to be killed while walking than their younger neighbors, according to a new study by the Tri-State Transportation Campaign. This is especially true in the tri-state region, where fatality rates for older pedestrians are far higher than in the rest of the country. Get the facts by county below:
Complete Streets: A National Perspective - This presentation, given at the 1000 Friends of Connecticut conference on Nov. 13, 2008, provides an overview of complete streets policies throughout the United States and describes what makes a complete streets policy strong.
Most Dangerous Roads - This analysis identifies the most dangerous roads (those with the most pedestrian fatalities from 2005 to 2007) in the tri-state region, and the locations and number of pedestrian fatalities for selected counties and boroughs in New Jersey, downstate New York, and Connecticut.
Skimping on Sidewalks 2008: An Analysis of Pedestrian and Bicyclist Fatalities in New Jersey - Though pedestrian and cyclist deaths fell between 2007 and 2006, this report finds that NJ has made little progress towards a 1998 goal of halving ped/bike deaths by 2010 -- and seniors are most at risk of dying as a pedestrian. The report also shows that municipal demand for bike/ped funding far exceeds the state's ability to support those types of projects, with applications outstripping awards by almost 10-to-1. Fact sheets which break the data down by county are below:
Trouble Ahead? Tracking NJDOT's Priorities - This analysis of NJDOT’s fiscal year 2009 capital program shows a continued commitment to maintenance and repair, but finds a worrying trend of increased investment in highway expansion in coming years. Furthermore, progress on NJDOT's smart growth projects has stalled. The report recommends that New Jersey resurrect legislation mandating a "fix-it-first" investment strategy for NJDOT, create a consistent "fix-it-first" policy for all state transportation agencies, re-examine the need for highway widening projects, and boost funding for the smart-growth NJFIT program and bike and pedestrian programs.
NYC Metropolitan Area Fact Sheets on Congestion Pricing - This examination of 2000 Census data showed that the vast majority of commuters in New York City and the surrounding suburban counties would not be affected by a congestion pricing fee because they do not drive alone to the proposed congestion pricing zone (Manhattan below 60th Street). The analysis also showed that vehicle-owning households throughout the region are wealthier than households without access to a vehicle.
Getting Up to Speed: A Case for Bus Rapid Transit and Transit-Oriented Development in the Tappan Zee/I-287 Corridor - This evaluation of the Tappan Zee Bridge/I-287 Environmental Review calls for increased leadership from NYSDOT in connecting land use and transportation, and suggests that bus rapid transit, combined with a transit-oriented development strategy, would best reduce congestion in the I-287 corridor. The report also includes national and international examples of successful bus rapid transit systems and transit-oriented development efforts.
It's the Sprawl Stupid! What's Driving Connecticut's Traffic Congestion - This fact sheet explains the cycle of sprawl and congestion which has led to vast increases in Connecticut’s per capita traffic delay and vehicle-miles traveled over the last two decades. It recommends that CT embrace smart growth policies and create a transit village program that would provide state funding and incentives to interested towns.
Reform: The Road Not Taken - A Review of Projected Spending in Connecticut, 2007-2010 - This analysis of Connecticut’s 2007 to 2010 transportation plan reveals that the state will make highway expansion a priority in coming years. More than 60 percent of the $2.3 billion in projected highway and bridge spending is dedicated to widening and expansion projects. However, the state devotes a relatively high share of spending to transit projects. The report recommends that Connecticut adopt a "fix it first" approach to road infrastructure, develop more effective tools to manage congestion, and strengthen bicycling and walking programs.
The State of Transportation 2006: Benchmarks for Sustainable Transportation in New Jersey - This report identifies dozens of metrics which help answer questions about the direction of New Jersey's transportation systems, collecting them in a user-friendly and graphic-rich document. Important findings include rises in vehicle miles traveled, miles traveled on transit, freight movement, transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions, and energy consumption for transportation.
Skimping on Sidewalks : New Jersey's Bicycle and Pedestrian Funding Deficit - Though municipal demand for bicycling and pedestrian projects has soared since NJ issued its Statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan in 1995, the state is not even coming close to meeting this demand. This analysis of Bikeways, Safe Streets to School, and Transportation Enhancements funding applications and approvals for fiscal years 2003 to 2005 reveals that the state approved less than one-fourth of all submitted applications.
Still at Risk: Pedestrian Safety in New Jersey - New Jersey made pedestrian and bicyclist safety a transportation priority beginning in 1995 with the publication of the Statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. But a ten-year look at the trend in pedestrian fatalities reveals no perceptible reduction in pedestrian deaths, even as Census data shows fewer New Jersey residents walking.
The Trucks Are Coming: What Growing Truck Traffic Will Mean for New Jersey's Quality of Life - New Jersey's truck traffic is projected to grow by 80% over the next two decades, with enormous consequences for traffic safety, congestion, wear and tear on roads and bridges, air pollution, and public health. Recommendations include increased funding for rail freight, better planning of freight distribution, innovations like "shuttle trains."
The Open Road: The Region's Coming Toll Revolution - Around the region, transportation agencies are upgrading toll plazas to take advantage of the convenience, safety, economic, and pollution benefits of open-road (roll-through) tolling. The glaring exception is the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which still uses old-fashioned, stop-and-go barrier gates. This report reviews non-stop tolling practices in the region and recommends that the MTA implement a non-stop tolling demonstration project.
A Value-Pricing Toll Plan for the MTA : Saving Drivers Time While Generating Revenue - This report by Charles Komanoff of Komanoff Energy Associates proposes enacting congestion-pricing or "value-pricing" on the MTA's bridges and tunnels by charging a higher toll during peak hours as a means to increase revenue and reduce congestion on or near the MTA crossings.
Funding Bicycle and Pedestrian Projects in New Jersey (April 1999) - This pamphlet is for local governments, bicycling and pedestrian advocates, civic leaders and other concerned citizens that want to find the (state and federal) means to finance proposals to make New Jersey communities more bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly.
Crossroads: Highway Finance Subsidies in New Jersey (April 1995) - This report describes in detail how New Jersey subsidizes driving. In total, government funding of roads in New Jersey totals $3.2 billion annually, but drivers pay only $2.5 billion for those roads. The report also determines the negative externalities caused by driving (which motorists do not compensate the state or the public for).


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Compressive behaviour of tungsten fibre reinforced Zr-based metallic glass at different strain rates and temperatures
MetadataShow full item record
© 2017 Because of the excellent mechanical, physical and chemical properties, bulk metallic glass (BMG) materials have shown profound potential in a wide range of engineering applications. To prevent catastrophic failure of monolithic BMG at very small strains, metal fibres or ceramic particles are normally used to reinforce the material and improve the ductility. Mechanical properties of Zr-based BMG reinforced with 80% Tungsten fibres by volume were experimentally investigated in the present study at room temperature and elevated temperature up to 873 K. The quasi-static and dynamic compressive deformation and fracture behaviour were investigated by means of INSTRON, MTS testing machines and split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB), respectively. The failure patterns and mechanical properties of cylindrical specimens with different aspect (length to diameter) ratios under quasi-static compression were studied. It was found that the failure of BMG composite material was resulted from the combination of BMG shear failure, fibres’ axial splitting and fibre-matrix debonding. Results of quasi-static tests at different temperatures revealed that the yield strength decreased with temperature, and the strain hardening behaviour was replaced with strain softening after the yield stress when the temperature was elevated. Results from SHPB tests at room temperature showed approximately 30% higher strengths compared to the quasi-static counterpart, but the specimens were found partially losing the deformability and fail at smaller strains. The dynamic strengths were also found to decrease with the increase of temperature. An empirical relation to describe the change of yield strength due to temperature elevation was proposed based on the test data. The mechanism of self-sharpening behaviour of penetrator made of BMG composites was explained based on the material behaviour at high strain rate and high temperature.
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
Sudarisman (2009)The flexural behaviour of three different hybrid fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) matrix composites, i.e. S2-glass/E-glass/epoxy, TR50S carbon/IM7 carbon/epoxy, and E-glass/TR50S carbon/epoxy hybrid FRP composites, has been ...
Dynamic compressive behaviour of spiral steel fibre reinforced concrete in split Hopkinson pressure bar testsHao, Yifei; Hao, Hong (2013)It has been well demonstrated that adding fibres into concrete increases the impact loading resistance capacity of the concrete material. Recent studies proved that using spiral-shaped steel fibres further increases the ...
Chen, Wensu; Meng, Q.; Hao, H.; Cui, J.; Shi, Y. (2017)© 2017 Elsevier LtdFiberglass/epoxy laminate or structures strengthened by fiberglass/epoxy laminate might be subjected to dynamic loadings such as impact and blast. Understanding the dynamic material properties of the ...

domain: literature


Should Spurs take Ryan Boatright in the second round?
The University of Connecticut's Ryan Boatright has something every player in this year's draft wants yet few actually have: championship experience.
The senior guard won a national title two years ago, playing beside Miami Heat backup point guard Shabazz Napier. Despite this (and averaging 17.4 points while shooting over 40 percent from the three-point line) there's a solid chance Boatright won't be drafted.
That said, San Antonio is known to value character and outside shooting. Here's why they may take a gamble on Boatright in this month's draft, per FanSided's Spurs blog Air Alamo:
"Ryan Boatright can bring the energy and scoring ability off the Spurs bench similar to Patty Mills. Boatright is fearless and he is a solid defender. His only red flags might revolve around his size. Just like Aaron Brooks, Boatright is a smaller guard that is at his best when scoring. Both also bring lots of energy and aren’t afraid of the big moment."
Boatright is 5'11" and already 22 years old. But the Spurs may need help at the point guard position (insurance in case Cory Joseph leaves in free agency), and Boatright can be an option with the 55th overall pick.
(h/t: Air Alamo)
Photo Credit: AP Photo/Jessica Hill


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Salah Abu Seif (1915-1996) was born in Cairo. He is considered to be the godfather of realism in Egyptian cinema, and many of the 41 films he directed are considered Egyptian classics. With The Beginning and the End (1961), he became the first filmmaker to adapt a Mahfouz novel. Their collaboration comprises seven films. Among his films are The Monster (1954), A Woman's Youth (1956), The Tough (1957), Between Heaven and Earth (1960), Dead Amongst the Living (1960), starring then-newcomer Omar Sharif, The Water Carrier Is Dead (1977), Al Qadisiya (1981) and Citizen Masry (1991).
ADFF - Abu Dhabi FilmFest 2011

domain: artistic


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Mirola Kids Shining Scratch Art: Starlight Girls
Immerse young artists in the magical world of astronomy with this captivating scratch art set themed around Starlight Girls!
Each scratch reveals dazzling illustrations featuring whimsical characters and radiant constellations that sparkle with every stroke.
The set includes specially coated scratch sheets featuring pre-drawn Starlight Girls designs. With a scratch art stylus and a magic dust brush included, children can easily scratch away the surface to unveil vibrant colours beneath, creating stunning and personalized masterpieces.
- 25 x Scratch Art Notes
- 1 x Scratch Art Stylus
- 1 x Magic Dust Brush
Age: 3 Years +
Item size: 21.2 x 8 x 2 cm
|8.0 × 21.2 × 1.9 cm
Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.


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Want to beat your Scrabble friends no matter where you are?WordSolver Android App!
Yes, tally is a Scrabble word!
...and is worth 8 points in Scrabble, and 9 points in Words with Friends
1. Be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics
2. Gain points in a game
3. Keep score, as in games
4. Determine the sum of
1. A score in baseball made by a runner touching all four bases safely
2. A bill for an amount due
3. The act of counting; reciting numbers in ascending order
What Scrabble words can I make with the letters in tally?
4 Letter Words
3 Letter Words
2 Letter Words

domain: game


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Law Enforcement Today has learned from media sources that the acting Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Richard Grenell allegedly had a “satchel” of documents related to the Russia collusion “investigation” which could be released as soon as today.
The Washington Examiner reported that Fox News chief White House correspondent Ed Henry had two sources who told him that Grenell was prepared to release additional documents.
Those documents would reportedly show that House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-CA), along with other investigators “knew for a long time there was no collusion” between the campaign of Donald Trump and Russia.
Maybe Comey and Schiff can share attorneys to save on their legal costs. Thanks to @RichardGrenell for his hard work for We The People and getting more done as DNI in less than 3 months on the job, than his predecessors did in the past 3 years. https://t.co/lX6oiBWthg— TBT (@TbTtruthbetold) May 9, 2020
Ed Henry reported on Tucker Carlson Tonight that the satchel contained more transcripts likely to be released in the coming days.
Ed Henry: Breaking tonight, Schiff may be even more panicked right now. Because I’m hearing from two sources familiar with this that as early as tomorrow Rick Grenell, the Acting Director of National Intelligence, could reveal even more documents shedding light on the Russian probe of President Trump and how Schiff and other investigators knew for a long time there was no collusion even as they were saying they had direct evidence there was… There’s a second set of documents that Rick Grenell who now has the job Clapper had brought to the Department of Justice today in a satchel… They say as early as tomorrow we may learn the contents.
Watch the full segment below.
Mission Possible – DNI Richard Grenell Delivers Satchel of Declassified Documents to AG Bill Barr – Possible Release Tomorrow… https://t.co/Z4iW67J4Ly— TheLastRefuge (@TheLastRefuge2) May 8, 2020
The WORLD is Watching👁 What’s in that Satchel?— Marla Hohner (@marlahohner) May 8, 2020
Late yesterday, under heavy security, acting DNI @RichardGrenell was seen delivering a 2nd set of Schiff transcripts to DOJ. They are expected to be published today#ShiftySchiff👀 #CongenitalLiar #Grenell https://t.co/j1w3RACEw8

domain: politics


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My viewed hotels
Hotel Jeronimos 8
Rua dos Jerónimos, 8, Belem, 1400-211 Lisbon (Show map)
The most recent booking for this hotel was made on Mar 9 at 10:06 AM from Portugal.
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Overlooking the Aqueduct and Monsanto Nature Reserve, Corinthia Hotel is a 5-minute walk from Lisbon's Zoological Gardens and 500 ft from a metro and train station.
Most recent booking for this hotel was yesterday at 23:41
Score from 1795 reviews Excellent - 8.8/10
This 4-star modern hotel is next to the Lisbon Convention Centre and the popular suburb of Alcântara, just a few steps from the Belém tower and the Jeronimos Monastery.
Most recent booking for this hotel was yesterday at 20:15
Score from 444 reviews Good - 7.5/10
Centrally located, the SANA Lisboa Hotel offers modern, air-conditioned rooms with TVs, 1200 ft from the famous Marques de Pombal Square.
Most recent booking for this hotel was yesterday at 22:32
Score from 1327 reviews Excellent - 8.9/10
Located less than 200 ft from Duque de Saldanha Square, the 4-star Olissippo Saldanha features a 24-hour front desk and bright, modern rooms. Saldanha Metro Station is a 4-minute walk away.
Most recent booking for this hotel was yesterday at 18:36
Score from 614 reviews Wonderful - 9.1/10
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domain: travel


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Japan's Opposition Tailors Itself to the Mainstream
By DAVID E. SANGER, Special to The New York Times
Published: July 21, 1989
TOKYO, July 20— Over nearly four decades, Japan's opposition parties have grown comfortable on the political sidelines, happily criticizing the conservative political establishment without fear that someday they might have to run the world's second-largest economy.
Now the unthinkable looks increasingly likely. And as they sense victory for the first time in Japan's postwar history, in an election on Sunday, the country's opposition groups are racing to set aside old feuds and to abandon the left-wing positions that have long alienated them from mainstream voters.
The woman who has become the engaging symbol of the Japan Socialist Party, Takako Doi, no longer talks about dismantling Japan's military forces, abandoning its 29-year-old security treaty with the United States, or shutting down the nuclear power plants that supply Japan with a third of its electricity.
Instead, Miss Doi and her allies, a little stunned that people are actually listening to them, speak of the need for ''negotiations'' with the United States about military issues and the urgency of research into alternative energy sources. Skill in Using Sales-Tax Issue
''We're discussing compromise,'' Sukio Iwatare, a member of Parliament and a high-ranking official of the Socialist Party, said the other day, suggesting that the whole concept was a bit alien to party members accustomed to being irrelevant. ''We don't want any voters to become discouraged about us.''
So far the strategy has worked. Several weeks ago, about the time that Prime Minister Sousuke Uno's sexual liaisons with at least two women were made public, the governing Liberal Democrats lost control of the campaign. Now every night on television and every morning in the newspapers, it is the opposition leaders, particularly Miss Doi, who dominate the coverage and set the agenda for debate.
The Liberal Democrats need 54 votes to hold their majority in the upper house; they might be lucky to get 40 or 45. Their hope is to stitch together enough votes from the small parties that they can contain the Socialists. If they fail, a confrontation will likely develope between the upper and lower houses, perhaps forcing the dissolution of the lower house and another possibly more damaging election.
With surprising skill, the opposition leaders have put Mr. Uno on the defensive about a highly unpopular 3 percent sales tax that the Liberal Democrats forced through Parliament more than a year ago.
With some protectionist language, they have begun to win over farmers who feel betrayed by the Liberal Democrats for opening agricultural markets to foreign imports, and they have tarred the Liberal Democrats as the party of arrogance, corruption and, after Mr. Uno's liaisons, the sexual exploitation of women. Women and Socialist Rule
But more important, they are appealing to a generation of young voters, particularly women, with little memory of the days when left-wing parties were viewed as radicals at the center of violent street demonstrations.
''Few Japanese now believe in socialism, but even fewer believe that Japan would go socialist under the Socialist Party,'' Masataka Kosaka, a professor of international relations at Kyoto University, said the other day. ''For the first time, Japan is relaxed about the prospect of socialist rule.''
Only a few months ago, Professor Kosaka's theory would have seemed laughable to the Liberal Democrats. They were so convinced of the powerlessness of the opposition that the governing party's machine actually kept its opponents in business.
The investigation into the Recruit stock and influence-peddling scandal uncovered evidence that the Liberal Democrats funneled campaign money to their rivals, presumably to ease the way for help on difficult votes in Parliament, and maintain the illusion abroad that Japan is a multiparty parliamentary democracy, like Britain. 'Very Scared' Liberal Democrats
All that has suddenly changed. In recent days, the Liberal Democratic leadership has begun to warn that Japan's economic bulldozer will grind to a stop if the opposition is elected, and to predict that businesses will be nationalized and the country plunged into debt.
In the next breath, however, a few leading Liberal Democrats are now admitting that defeat is imminent, and wooing some of Japan's smaller opposition groups to form a coalition big enough to outvote Miss Doi's forces.
''It's nonsense,'' Eiichi Nagasure, the leader of the No. 3 opposition party, the Democratic Socialists, said on Wednesday, rejecting the Liberal Democrats' overtures. ''They are just very, very scared.''
But it is far from certain that the opposition can stay together for long. Discord on Military
While the main opposition parties are unified in their opposition to the sales tax, saying it puts the biggest burden on the poorest housholds, they cannot agree on the kind of system to substitute without plunging the Japanese Government into deeper debt. Nor can they agree on the increasingly divisive issue of nuclear energy, in part because many of the smaller parties depend on union members who benefit from big construction projects.
Nowhere is the split larger than in the area of the military, and the Socialists have refused to be pinned down on what they would do to the Self-Defense Force. It was the military issue and the security treaty with the United States that prompted the more conservative Democratic Socialists to split from the Japan Socialist Party 30 years ago.
The crucial voting group could prove to be women. Polls indicate that it is women who are most upset about the sales tax - they do most of the buying for Japanese families - and about Mr. Uno's unwillingness to acknowledge his extramarital affairs. Women Alienated by Uno
As he campaigned in his home district today, Mr. Uno was dogged by an entourage of several hundred women who sang a song with the refrain: To make a fool of women Is to destroy yourself, Mr. Prime Minister. Please resign.
Recently Mr. Uno and his Cabinet have dug themselves in deeper. In a speech 10 days ago, one of his Cabinet members said repeatedly that women had no useful role in politics, and suggested that Miss Doi would be an unsuitable national leader because she has never been married.
At a gathering of about 20 Japanese college women last week, all voting for the first time in the coming election, virtually all said they were outraged by the comments, and without exception they said they would vote against the Liberal Democrats. A few voiced fears, however, that the Socialists were ''not reliable.''
Nervousness about the Socialists also seems to be helping a number of unusual fringe parties, which could make a huge difference if they enter alliances with the Liberal Democrats.
For example, there are 10 candidates from the Sports and Peace Party, founded by a popular former professional wrestler, Antonio Inoki, whose primary platform is that Japan should create a sports ministry to win more Olympic gold medals.
''It is up to the amateurs to clean up politics,'' said Mr. Inoki's brother and campaign manager, Yoshimori. ''The professionals can't do it.''
photo of Takako Doi (Agence France-Presse)

domain: sociology


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My sister and I went out to dinner to East Side Marios in Cornwall. We were greeted by a pleasant waitress who was completely disorientated. She brought us our salad, and soup which is offered with some meals and we asked where the bread was which is also complimentary. By the time she brought the bread the soup and salad... more
We went to East Side Mario's in Cornwall on a busy Friday night and we walked in with a group of 18 people. The hostess scrambled to get us seated as quickly as possible. Our waitress Michaela (sorry if I spelled it wrong) was fantastic. She had to handle all 18 of us, seated at 4 tables and she kept... more
We just left the resturant promising never to return. I ordered the Scallop Fettichini.
Burnt bacon, dried out scallops and old noodles did not combine for anything but a bad taste.
We never had our dinner bread delivered to us nor were we asked if everything was ok. We also had a change in servers which neither gave us any... more

domain: food


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The Best 10-day Itinerary in Iceland
Dive into the adventure opportunities offered by the magnificent land of ice and fire this summer with a ten-day trip around Iceland. If you want to visit all of the country’s most incredible regions and have the chance to embark on a different activity every day, then this is the tour for you.
Under the guidance of a friendly local, this summer package will take you on an epic, ten-day journey circumnavigating Iceland’s Ring Road and the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. This route will reveal to you all the spectacular natural features that make this country so famous; the geysers of the Golden Circle, the icebergs of the Jokulsarlon lagoon, the volcanoes of the south, and the hot springs of the north are all examples of what’s ahead.
Each night will be spent in a hotel along the ring road trip. The first and last will be spent in the capital. Reykjavik is a beautiful place to begin and end your holiday, as it is bursting with history and attractions.
Furthermore, almost every day you spend on the road, you will have a different activity you can partake in, each of them showing you a different facet of Iceland’s character. A boat ride, caving, hot spring bathing, and horseback riding are optional, while glacier hiking and whale watching are included!
On top of this, you’ll have a chance to enter the Blue Lagoon Spa and experience the geothermally heated waters of Iceland’s most famous attraction.
A great bonus of booking this summer vacation package is that everything is organized for you after you select your excursions and a few other details, from your airport transfers to your hotels. This will allow you to enjoy the build-up to your holiday and your time here without any niggling stresses.
Finally, due to the season, you are traveling, all of your adventures will be conducted under the Midnight Sun, extending the length of time you can sightsee every day and providing you with glorious light throughout the evening.
Embark on adventures all around the Ring Road of Iceland with this 10-day summer vacation package. Check availability by choosing a date.
Day 1 - Welcome to Iceland!
Welcome to Iceland! Your Flybus will be waiting to take you to Reykavik as soon as you pass through customs at Keflavik International Airport.
On your way to Iceland’s capital city, you could choose to make a stop at the Blue Lagoon. This world-renowned spa is known for its healing waters, vivid azure colors, and luxurious treatments. It is located in the middle of a moss-covered lava field, giving it an otherworldly atmosphere. If you add the Blue Lagoon, it will be arranged according to your flights. If there is no time to visit the lagoon today, it can be added to another day; your travel consultant will arrange this for you.
If you have energy after your travels when you get to the capital, be sure to check out the city; you’ll be on the road for the next eight days, after all. Reykjavik boasts architectural marvels such as the Harpa Concert Hall, nature views over beautiful sites such as Mount Esjan, pubic art such as the Sun Voyager Monument, and plenty of museums and galleries, restaurants, and bars.
Once you are tuckered out, you’ll spend the night in the city.
Day 2 - Golden Circle
Your guide for the next eight days will pick you up bright and early on the second day of your holiday in Iceland, and you will begin your adventure around the country. The focus for today will be the sightseeing route of the Golden Circle, which boasts the diverse attractions of Thingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss.
Thingvellir is a magnificent valley framed by the dramatic cliffs that mark the edges of the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. Within it, you'll find fields of twisted lava, abundant forests of birch, and ravines where continental forces have torn the earth apart; around it, you'll marvel over the largest lake in the country and dramatic volcanic peaks.
This site has the honor of being both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a National Park. It is also the original site of the world's longest-running, still ongoing parliament.
The Geysir Geothermal Area is an incredible place to marvel over the geothermal forces that continue to shape Iceland's nature; hot springs, fumaroles, and mud pits are scattered across a field dyed strange colors by the elements of the earth. It is most famous for the explosive geyser of Strokkur, where, every few minutes, you can observe a dramatic eruption.
Gullfoss, the final site of the Golden Circle, is the country's most instantly recognizable waterfall. Colored an unusual shade by the glacier water that fuels it, it boasts uniqueness, awe-inspiring power, and striking beauty in equal measure.
After you have enjoyed the attractions of the Golden Circle, you'll be driven to one of the serene villages in the southwest of the country, where you'll spend the night.
Day 3 - South Coast
On the third day of your ten-day summer vacation in Iceland, you'll begin your circumnavigation of the country, starting with the stunning South Coast. As you depart from your hotel, you'll be driven through some rural landscapes until you reach the sea, then hug its shore as you travel to some magnificent attractions.
Seljalandsfoss waterfall stands at an impressive 197 ft (60m), and tumbles before an enormous cavern scooped from its cliff; such an unusual formation allows it to be admired from several angles. From here, your guide will show you another waterfall, just off the beaten track, that most guests overlook; the magical Gljufrabui.
The third impressive waterfall you'll come to is Skogafoss, by far the most powerful of the three.
After feeling the spray of these features on your face, you'll head to some incredible coastal attractions. The first of these is Dyrholaey, a rock arch so vast that ships have sailed - and small planes have flown - through it. Not only this, but it is a puffin-watching hot spot. Thousands of Atlantic Puffins nest here throughout summer and can be approached surprisingly close.
Near here is the black sand stretch of shoreline named Reynisfjara, which boasts an eerie ambiance and dramatically powerful waves. Towering just off the coast are the basalt pillars of Reynisdrangar, so striking that they were used as a feature in Game of Thrones. In folklore, they are said to be the remains of petrified trolls, who were caught in the sunlight as they attempted to pull a boat into shore.
Near the beach is a tiny village called Vik, from which you can take your optional tour of the day - an ice-caving excursion. You'll board a super jeep and be whisked to the South Coast glacier of Myrdalsjokull, which sits above Katla, one of the country's most famous volcanoes. Here, you'll be dressed in all necessary safety and be led into one of its tunnels.
This trip is a wonderful way to witness the world inside an ice cap, an opportunity few guests get to experience outside midwinter. Furthermore, it is conducted right by the more famous subglacial volcano of Eyjafjallajokull, which erupted in 2010.
At the end of the day, you will retire back in Vik.
Day 4 - Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
On the fourth day of your ten-day summer holiday to Iceland, you will continue your Ring Road adventure, focusing on two of the most iconic parts of the South Coast: the Skaftafell Nature Reserve and the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. These sites are the most famous features of Vatnajokull National Park, which is named after the largest glacier in Europe within its borders.
Skaftafell boasts several glacier tongues from this mighty ice cap creeping between its mountains, adding more magic to the already magnificent terrain. Your guide will take you down one of the many hiking trails to witness these up close, as well as to the waterfall of Svartifoss. Translated to the ‘Black Falls’, this waterfall falls amongst dark columns of hexagonal basalt.
You'll even get to go glacier hiking here.
The nature reserve has some small glacier lagoons, but they will pale next to Jokulsarlon, the largest glacier lagoon in the country. Hundreds of hundreds of icebergs, some absolutely enormous, gather in the waters here, vividly colored and glistening majestically.
Admiring them from the shore is a mesmerizing way to spend a few hours; even the noises they make as they move and break apart are fascinating due to their almost organic nature. However, to get an even more immersive experience, you can take your optional tour of the day, which is a boat excursion into these beautiful waters.
This is also an excellent opportunity to see seals up close, as many reside in the area.
Before retiring to your hotel near the lagoon, you will head to the Diamond Beach. This black sand coastline is the final destination of the icebergs of the lagoon, which are left on the shore to sparkle spectacularly as they melt away.
Day 5 - Eastfjords
On day five, you’ll enter the most remote region you will encounter on your journey: the East Fjords. As its name suggests, this area is defined by its beautiful fjord lands. Towering mountains, breathtaking bays, sheer cliff faces, and historic fishing villages are all on the road ahead.
Before getting deep into the region, you’ll come to two similar mountains, Eystrahorn and Vestrahorn. Despite looking like each other, they don’t resemble any other peaks in the country; they are composed of dark gabbro and boast defining twin summits. After admiring these, you will continue to the village of Djupivogur and begin to navigate the fjords.
As you travel, it is not just the coastal views to look out for; inland, you’ll see features such as Mount Snaefell, the tallest freestanding mountain in the country, and Lake Lagarfljot, a lake with a legendary monster in its depths. This is just one of many attractions with ties to folklore in the east that your guide can tell you about.
Furthermore, this is one of the best places in the country for wildlife lovers to look out for their favorite animals. Wild reindeer, which travel in spectacular herds, can only be found in this region; those with keen eyes may also spot Arctic Foxes, which are abundant here. The cliffs will be home to hundreds of thousands of nesting seabirds of dozens of species, and offshore you may even see seals, dolphins, or even whales.
Animal lovers can also opt into a horseback riding tour today. Icelandic horses are not like their counterparts around the world. They are smaller, smarter, and have a distinctive, unique gait. Riding one is an absolute joy, and whether or not it is your first time or you have ridden many times before, the tour can be tailored for you.
You’ll retire for the night in Egilsstadir town. If you have energy after your day on the road, be sure to check out the local sites, as Egilsstadir is a charming settlement.
Day 6 - Dettifoss, Myvatn & Akureyri
You'll depart the East Fjords bright and early on the sixth day of your Icelandic summer holiday to visit the north. Today, you will follow the Diamond Circle sightseeing route to see all of the region's most spectacular attractions.
Those who book admission to the Vok Baths, however, will get a lovely dip in these waters first. This spa sits on water level with a stunning lake.
The first stop of the Diamond Circle you will make will be at the primordial Jokulsargljufur canyon. Here, you can find three thunderous waterfalls named Hafragilsfoss, Selfoss, and Dettifoss. Though all impressive, Dettifoss is the most beautiful. It is 328 ft (100m) wide and over 131 ft (40m) tall. It is also the most powerful waterfall in all of Europe.
Next, you'll come to Asbyrgi; though also a canyon, it could not be more different from Jokulsargljufur. Shaped like an enormous horseshoe, it is defined by the luscious forest that fills it, as well as its dramatic central island. Because of its surreal scale and formation, early Icelanders believed this to be created by the footprint of a God's horse.
After this, you'll reach one of the most scenic, cultural centers of the north: the village of Husavik. Its serene harbor looks out over the beautiful islands and cliffs of Skjalfandi Bay, and its colorful houses make for postcard-perfect views.
The next major site is the spectacular Lake Myvatn, which many consider the region's highlight.
In summer, the great bodies of water here burst with life, with a range of unique flora and abundant birdlife adding to the appeal. There are also many features of geological wonder to seek out, such as the dramatic Dimmuborgir lava fortress and unusual pseudocraters. Surrounding Myvatn are incredible landscapes of volcanoes, craters, hot springs, and lava fields.
The final attraction you will come to before Akureyri, where you will retire, is the waterfall of Godafoss. In 1000 AD, the law speaker symbolically abandoned Iceland's ties to the Old Gods by throwing his idols into the churning waters.
Once you reach the Capital of the North, be sure to check out the lovely views from its harbor, its stunning examples of Icelandic architecture, and maybe even one of its local restaurants before retiring.
Day 7 - The Road to Borganes
Day seven of your ten-day summer vacation in Iceland will continue to introduce you to the beautiful sites of the north. After enjoying Akureyri a little more in the morning, you will set off along the spectacular fjord of Eyjafjordur.
Your first stop will be at a lovely coastal village here called Hauganes; you can enjoy your activity for the day by taking a whale watch from the harbor. North Iceland is one of the world’s best regions for spotting the giants of the deep, particularly in summer when the migratory species return. You are thus very likely to see Humpbacks, renowned for their breaches; dolphins and porpoises; and plenty of seabirds, including puffins.
On rare occasions, elusive creatures like orcas and blue whales also make an appearance.
After this, you will continue to travel along the fjords of North Iceland, visiting its beautiful coastal villages and marveling over its landscapes of countryside and mountain ranges, until you reach the Vatnsnes Peninsula.
This site is best renowned for its coastal geology; just off the shore stands the Hvitserkur Rock Formation, a feature that some believe looks like an elephant. This is overlooked by the mighty and historic Borgarvirki lava fortress, created by nature but used by feuding Viking clans for centuries. While enjoying these strange formations, be sure to look out for seals, as many call the waters of Vatnsnes home.
From the peninsula, you will leave the north and begin to travel through the serene countryside of the west. Your final destination for today is the beautiful settlement of Borgarnes, a commercial hub in this region.
Day 8 - Snaefellsnes Peninsula
On your eighth day in Iceland, you'll tour the Snaefellsnes Peninsula.
Striking geological formations can be found straight away at the Gerduberg Cliffs, which boast hexagonal columns in perfectly straight lines along their faces. Further down the road, you will discover more, such as the rock arch of Gatklettur and the basalt plug of Londrangar.
Londrangar is also renowned for being a wildlife hot spot, with its countless seabirds. Other great places to find animals on the peninsula include Ytri Tunga beach, known for its seal life, and the islands of Breidafjordur bay, which are densely populated nesting grounds.
In terms of its terrain, the Snaefellsnes Peninsula has a row of mountains running adjacent to its coasts but still a lot of diversity. You'll cross the fertile countryside, expanses of black sand, and lava fields on your travels; you'll also head to the dramatic peak of Kirkjufell, which stands alone but for an adjacent waterfall by the coastline.
Snaefellsnes also boasts a range of cultural attractions. Many abandoned villages haunt the beautiful landscapes. Their foundations are reclaimed by nature; Budir, which still has a charming and functioning church, and Hellnar, all but a deserted fishing settlement, both have a particularly mystical allure. However, some villages, like Stykkisholmur, Bjarnahofn, and Arnarstapi, are still thriving and great places to see how Icelandic culture has survived and evolved.
Despite the wonder of these attractions, the most famous and beautiful part of Snaefellsnes is the area on its tip: Snaefellsjokull National Park. Centered around a magnificent glacier, which caps an impressive volcano, this place is jaw-droppingly spectacular. Many with a belief in the mystical have claimed that this is one of the Earth's power centers, and it has inspired great works of art for centuries.
While in the shadow of Snaefellsjokull glacier, you can partake in one more exciting activity. With a helmet and torch, you'll be led inside the beautiful lava cave of Vatnshellir to bear witness to the unbelievable world under Iceland's surface. Even the claustrophobic will find this tour manageable due to the size of the formation and the distracting beauty of its features.
You’ll then travel to the West. However, this land of diverse beauty is so packed with features that you will need all day tomorrow to explore it; you’ll thus spend your final night on the road at a nearby hotel.
Day 9 - West Iceland
On the ninth day of your Icelandic summer holiday, you’ll set off on an adventure around the beautiful and cultural wonders of the country’s west.
You’ll first head to the charming village of Reykholt, which was once home to one of Iceland’s most famous individuals, Snorri Sturluson. In the middle ages, he recorded vastly important information on the Old Norse Gods and European royal lineages. As a chieftain and law speaker, he was a central part of the county’s bloody civil war.
Near Reykholt are two waterfalls, just a short walk apart but contrasting. Barnafoss is rapid, narrow, and ominous, its beauty tainted by its associated folklore of a tragic loss in its waters. Hraunfossar, meanwhile, is much cheery, streaming over a forested lava field in many gentle trickles.
After a full eight days of exploration, you'll be returned to Reykjavik, where you will spend your final night. Why not celebrate your journey at one of the city's esteemed restaurants, bars or swimming pools before retiring?
Day 10 - Farwell to Iceland
On day ten of your Icelandic summer holiday, it is time to head home. A shuttle bus will whisk you back to Keflavik International Airport so that you can depart in time, but those who don’t have to leave until the afternoon can spend more time visiting the sites of the capital.
Reykjavik, after all, has a range of boutiques to help you find the perfect souvenir and a variety of attractions to help you find the ideal final memory.
For those who have a later flight and choose to visit the Blue Lagoon today, you will finish off your stay unwinding before you head to the airport. This is the perfect place to relax as you bathe in the warm, mineral-rich waters as you look back on the incredible adventure you have just taken in the land of fire and ice. If your flight is later, there are plenty of things to do in Reykjavik.
If you have an early flight back home, we wish you a pleasant journey.
What to bring
Good to know
Customers traveling on their own will be given a single room. Reservations for two people will be allocated a double room. For bookings of 3 or more, triple rooms will automatically be allocated. For example, a group of 8 will receive two triple rooms and one double. If these arrangements do not meet your requirements, please contact the provider.
It can happen, in the case of extreme weather, that an activity is canceled. If your chosen activity is canceled, we will assist you with rearranging or booking other activities when possible, and any potential price difference will be refunded to you.
Accommodation in Reykjavik
See our accommodation levels below and our preferred accommodation partners under each day in the daily itinerary. Super budget level accommodations will be arranged in hostel dorm beds. For budget and comfort levels, bookings for one person will be arranged in single rooms, and bookings for two or more people will share a twin/double or triple room(s). For quality level, odd number groups will always be allocated a single room. If you are travelling in a group, but prefer a single room, please make separate bookings. Teenagers and children will be arranged in the same room with parents. If additional room(s) is needed, additional costs will incur.
For multi-day guided tours, accommodation cannot be upgraded and the levels below do not apply. Guide to Iceland will provide you with the best available accommodation at the time of your booking from our preferred partners. If our preferred partners are fully booked at the time of your booking, we will find another suitable accommodation for you of similar level.
We always do our best to accommodate special requests, which may incur additional costs. Press choose a date to find availability.
Dormitory beds with shared bathrooms in guesthouses or hostels, such as HI Hostels. Located in the capital region. Breakfast is not included.
Private rooms with shared bathroom in guesthouses or hostels such as Capital Inn Guesthouse. Located in the capital region. Breakfast is not included.
Rooms with a private bathroom at three-star hotels such as Hótel Klettur, or quality guesthouses. Located in the city center or in close vicinity. Breakfast is included.
Rooms at four-star design hotels in the city center with a private bathroom at the absolute best locations downtown such as Hotel Alda. Breakfast is included.

domain: geography


West Indies vs South Africa: Kagiso Rabada bowls a pinpoint yorker to dismiss Kieron Pollard
The thrilling encounter at the National Cricket Stadium in Grenada ended with South Africa clinching the game by just one run and taking a lead by 2-1.
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The third T20 International of the five-match series between West Indies and South Africa saw some power-packed action as both the teams fought tooth and nail to take an early lead in the series. The thrilling encounter at the National Cricket Stadium in Grenada ended with South Africa clinching the game by just one run and taking a lead by 2-1.
During the game, Kagiso Rabada didn’t have an ideal start to his bowling as he got smashed for as many as 11 runs in his first over of the night. Bowling his second over, the speedster got hammered for a boundary on the very first ball. However, Rabada scripted a memorable comeback as he showed some incredible piece of bowling.
On the third ball of the 13th over, Rabada bowled a mobile yorker that managed to catch Kieron Pollard off guard. Pollard, who was facing his second ball only, missed reading the delivery and the ball crashed into a leg stump. Thus, the West Indies skipper marched back to the pavilion after scoring just one run off 2 balls.
What a ball Rabada 😲 pic.twitter.com/VZ7cOg4NrN
— 𝗞𝗹𝗮𝘂𝘀🤴🇮🇹 (@Pran33Th__018) June 29, 2021
South Africa wins the third T20I against West Indies by one run
The highly-anticipated clash between West Indies and South Africa commenced with Kieron Pollard winning the toss and inviting the visitors to put the total on the board. Batting first, South Africa managed to post a score of 167. The wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock was the wrecker-in-chief for the visitors as he played a remarkable knock of 72 runs off 51 deliveries.
For the West Indies, Obed McCoy was the pick of the bowlers. Obed was the only bowler who managed to gain some success for the hosts. The 24-year-old picked as many as four wickets in his four overs while bowling at an economy rate of 5.5. Chasing 168, West Indies saw the batters forming small partnerships on the field.
Though the host batsmen received a good start, they failed to convert it into something substantial. No West Indies batsman touched the score of 30 as South Africa bowlers showed disciplined bowling action and kept taking timely wickets. Anrich Nortje and Tabraiz Shamsi were the highest wicket-takers for the visitors as they picked two wickets each.


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Take your seat aboard a choice from 22 themed helicopter tours for two.
Experience the magic of flight with a 20 minute aerotow hang glider flight with only the instructor for company.
As you accelerate vertically into the sky heading to the city of London the incredible landmarks of the capital will come into view.
Feel the adrenalin rush as you take the controls of a light plane and soar across the sky.
Hovering in a helicopter for the first time is a unique and thrilling sensation.
Take a flight over the incredible Olympic Village in London where some the Team GB’s athletes won Gold medals.
Take a 15 minute aerial tour for two in a helicopter at a choice of 15 different locations
Take to the skies for an unforgettable flight and experience the total tranquillity of soaring and circling on the thermals.
There's no better way to see the sights of the UK.
Don the biggles look and fly the skies.
Your chance to enjoy the sensation of time suspended as the world glides gently by.
This is the ultimate experience for anyone interested in flying as they will take the controls, be a navigator and an observer.
Fly like a bird.
Become the Captain of your own high performance jet.
Take an aerial tour in a helicopter at a choice of over 25 different locations.
Have you ever wanted to become a helicopter pilot and soar through the sky like a professional in a powerful chopper? Now's your chance.
Take a unique look at London's major attractions from a birds eye view.
Ever wanted to experience a "barrel roll" or "loop the loop" in an aircraft? Get ready to see the world from a different angle.
Take your seat aboard a choice of 22 themed helicopter tours.
Take a trip to remember with a truly unique view of the city.
Take in the sights of the amazing London Skyline from the sky with this helicopter tour over the city of London.
Explore one of England’s magnificent Treasure Houses from the sky and on foot before enjoying a delicious cream tea for two.
Enjoy a bird's eye view of the beautiful South Coast.


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Political Canada in 1867
Just recently (August 2001), the Premiers of the provinces in Canada got together to formulate demands that the Federal Government hand to them over money and power. The argument for this is rooted in their belief that the federal government is too strong, the country is too centralized.Would it surprise you to learn that the Fathers of our Confederation were very concerned that the Provinces might get a little too uppity like this? In fact the political system in Canada was constructed with a strong central government, for the benefit of all Canadians.In 1864 during debates on Confederation, John A. MacDonald gave us a very clear picture of the motives which formed the basis of our federal system as outlined in the British North America Act. In part he said;
“…The Conference having come to the conclusion that a legislative union, pure and simple, was impracticable, our next attempt was to form a government upon federal principles, which would give to the General Government the strength of a legislative and administrative union, while at the same time it preserved that liberty of action for the different sections which is allowed by a Federal Union. And I am strong in the belief — that we have hit upon the happy medium in those resolutions, and that we have formed a scheme of government which unites the advantages of both, giving us the strength of a legislative union and the sectional freedom of a federal union, with protection to local interests. In doing so we had the advantage of the experience of the United States….”
What experience in the US was he talking about? MacDonald continues;
“Ever since the union was formed the difficulty of what is called “State Rights” has existed, and this had much to do in bringing on the present unhappy war in the United States. They commenced, in fact, at the wrong end. They declared by their Constitution that each state was a sovereignty in itself, and that all the powers incident to a sovereignty belonged to each state, except those powers which, by the Constitution, were conferred upon the General Government and Congress.”
Think about it. The fundamental basis of the American civil was not slavery, as is the popular belief.. It was, rather, the belief that the central government did not have the right to tell the southern states how to run their lives. The US constitution was constructed to allow for sovereign states and the war was fought over the belief that slavery was an inalienable right of the southern states (I wonder if there will be a war over the inalienable right to bear arms?).
John A MacDonald, and others in the Constitution Debate believed that a strong central government was crucial in the Canadian make-up. He said;
“Here we have adopted a different system. We have strengthened the General Government. We have given the General Legislature all the great subjects of legislation. We have conferred on them, not only specifically and in detail, all the powers which are incident to sovereignty, but we have expressly declared that all subjects of general interest not distinctly and exclusively conferred upon the local governments and local legislatures, shall be conferred upon the General Government and Legislature. — We have thus avoided that great source of weakness which has been the cause of the disruption of the United States. We have avoided all conflict of jurisdiction and authority, and if this Constitution is carried out,…we will have in fact, as I said before, all the advantages of a legislative union under one administration, with, at the same time, the guarantees for local institutions and for local laws, which are insisted upon by so many in the provinces now, I hope, to be united….”
When you take a look at the dis-harmony in Canada in 2001, maybe our politicians should read a little more about the reasons why this country is better off with a strong central government.
At the recent meeting of Provincial Premiers, they spent a great deal of time sniping at the Prime Minister of Canada and the federal Liberal party. Would it surprise you to know that the BNA Act did not even mention the position of a Prime Minister or of political parties, let alone Premiers? In our next segment entitled The Prime Minister and Premiers who aren’t, we will discuss this situation.

domain: history


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Picnic Caramel Cake
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2/3 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 eggs, unbeaten
- 1/2 cup nuts
- Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil a 9-inch square
- Soften shortening.
- Sift in dry ingredients.
- Add milk and mix until flour is dampened; beat 2 minutes.
- Add vanilla extract, eggs and nuts; beat 1 minute.
- Bake for 35 minutes in prepared pan.
Nutritional information per serving: 211 calories, 10 grams fat, 25 milligrams
cholesterol, 90 milligrams sodium, 28 grams carbohydrates, 3 grams protein, 1 gram
Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged
and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
>> Independence Day Recipes


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Shuraba Zakanshi - Georg (Concepts)
Artwork of the character Georg from my comic SZ!
This artwork is original
This is a fan tribute
This artwork has been marked as moderately mature.
This artwork has been marked safe for all audiences.
This artwork has been deemed unsafe for young audiences.
Do not use, edit, or upload
Free to use, edit, reupload
Free to edit, don't reupload

domain: entertainment


text:
By: Brian Evans
On May 1, 2018, Michael Chapman with CNS News reported how the Adviser to Pope Francis praised Karl Marx! In fact, CNS News revealed how…
Cardinal Reinhard Marx, head of the German Bishop’s Conference and among the nine closest advisers to Pope Francis, applauded the teachings of Communist Karl Marx, whose 200th birthday occurs on May 5, claiming that the Communist Manifesto “impressed” him, helped to shape Catholic social doctrine, and was in no way responsible for the Communist atrocities and class-genocide committed by Marx’s followers over the last 100-plus years.
Despite the Catholic Church’s teaching against Communism, a utopian scheme that was Karl Marx’s sole objective in life, Cardinal Reinhard Marx told the magazine Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszitung, as translated and reported in Katholisch.de, that the Communist Manifesto “impressed” him and that “without Karl Marx there would be no Catholic social teaching.”
Screenshot of Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagzszeitung, May 1, 2018.
The German cardinal criticized capitalism, claiming there are “enormous social inequalities and ecological damage that capitalist dynamics are answerable to,” and adding that any improvements are “not an achievement of capitalism but the result of a struggle against these excesses.” Communist China and the predominantly socialist India are two of the most polluted countries in the world, according to the World Health Organization; the United States and Western Europe are among the least polluted nations in the world.
Thanks to Karl Marx, said the Cardinal, the world knows that the “market is not as innocent as it appears in the textbook of economists, behind which are powerful interests.”
However, no matter what name you choose to embrace; socialism, fascism, Marxism, or Communism, it is a system that has been oppressive to the masses. It has been proclaimed by the Progressive Democrats as a fair type of government that brings equality and peace, but is that the true story? Does it explain the fact that the USSR slaughtered more than 20 million souls, China murdered 65 million, Vietnam more than 1 million, North Korea more than 2 million,Cambodia more than 2 million, 1 million in Eastern Europe, almost 2 million in Africa, 1 1/2 million in Afghanistan, and over 150.000 in Latin America. Does it explain that communist nations have to set up borders not to keep out illegals like President Trump proposes, but instead communist nations build walls to keep their own people in? Does it explain why communist nations silence the majorities and empower the minority Elitist Political Class? For these reasons, we should be grateful for the wisdom of our Founding Fathers. We should be grateful for our separation of powers, the electoral college (which gives power to the smaller states), two-party system (which prevents any one group from amassing too much power), the Constitution of the United States (which secures our physical rights, religious rights, rights to free speech, and so much more), and President Trump. After all, President Trump has become one of the most important and meaningful Presidents in American history. He has been, and continues to be, returning our country to its founding roots. Also, he is fighting against the communist movement that the Elitists swamp is fighting so hard to implement in America and throughout the world.
Now, Pope Francis appears to be promoting Marxism, as he blames mass migration, and the poverty and desperation that is taking place in Socialist nations around the globe, as the responsibility of Capitalist nations!
Pope Francis with tyrant Raul Castro
Therefore, as Pope Francis reversed course with decades of anti-communist policies at the Vatican, he attacked the West, and its capitalist system for the woes of the world, despite Socialism and Marxism being responsible for the mass genocide of countless millions of human beings! Pope blamed capitalism and greed for the massive flood of migrants in the United States, and throughout the western world! He especially took pride in slamming the United States of America, and blaming her for all the millions of third world neighbors, for the massive influx of migrants from Socialist nations, rather than the free jobs, free food, free housing, and free medical care, in comparison to their Socialist nation, which everything is either rationed or unavailable!
Francis laid the blame for poverty and war at the feet of capitalism, saying it provokes the situations that cause migrants to flee their home countries. He said nothing, however, concerning the destructive influence of socialism that has created social, political and economic crises in South American countries like Venezuela.
“This is the hourglass,” Francis said. “Capitalism conceived of as a savage, not a social market economy […] What doesn’t work is the world of finance. This also creates wars, for the possession of wealth, does it not, whether they are international or national? I argue that we are already in a third world war, in pieces.”
However, in 1937, Pope Pius XI wrote a letter “On Atheistic Communism.” Pope Pius XI said…
“See to it, Venerable Brethren, that the Faithful do not allow themselves to be deceived! Communism is intrinsically wrong, and no one who would save Christian civilization may collaborate with it in any undertaking whatsoever. Those who permit themselves to be deceived into lending their aid towards the triumph of Communism in their own country, will be the first to fall victims of their error. And the greater the antiquity and grandeur of the Christian civilization in the regions where Communism successfully penetrates, so much more devastating will be the hatred displayed by the godless.”
In the end, Pope Pius XI is right, as it doesn’t matter if you want to call them! You may call them Progressive’s, Marxists, Fabians, Socialists, or Communists, but they are all cut from the same cloth. They all fight for the same goals. They all are fighting to implement a Socialist State with “Atheistic Communism,” as Pope Pius XI said, and as the foundation for their global Marxist directive!
The problem with Christianity and Marxist or Communist philosophy combined, are that the two are diametrically opposed to one another. For example, under communism, Christianity is strictly forbidden. But instead, it is replaced with the worship of a secularistic and materialistic government. Karl Marx, the founder of communism, based the radical Marxist ideology’s entire philosophy on dialectical materialism, and even Marx himself believed that the worldly system was driven by materialistic economic forces. In contrast, true Christianity opposes materialism and looks to the spiritual forces and God, which are free from worldly sin.
Even in Russia today (the former communist Soviet Union), the government campaigns against God, against religion, and against even the belief in God. It has been that way since the Russian Revolution of 1917 when a communist shroud blanketed the Eastern world with darkness. Also, under communism, there is no divine government or an absolute moral order. That is one of the reasons that under both Fascist based Socialism, and Communist based Socialism, they both brought about some of the largest exterminations of human lives in China, Russia, Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and the Empire of Japan. After all, for Marxist Communism, Marxist Socialism, Fascist Socialism, and Progressivism… the end justifies the means.
Interestingly, on the flip side of Christianity and Judaism, the end justifying the means, goes against their Christian and Jewish faith, because that communist philosophy puts the law into the hands of human beings, and makes the law subjective. Most men and women are geniuses when it comes to being able to justify any behavior, whether good or bad. We can rationalize any action if the motivation for the goal is strong enough. That is exactly why the ends cannot justify the means, because it is a recipe for complete chaos and the ultimate in evil! Its logical outcome is that each person, or group of people, decides what is moral or immoral, based on that particular situation.
Christians believe in quite the opposite, where a set of morals and principles are agreed upon by everyone. It is called Gods laws, the 10 commandments, and in the United States, those commandments are intertwined within the Constitution of the United States, and all the laws contained within. Therefore, under the Christian faith, this is how healthy societies operate, which is by setting rules that everyone must follow, and then punishing the offenders. The greater the crime, the greater the punishment. In fact, that is one of the reasons our Founding Fathers based America on a Constitution, and laws therein on biblical scriptures. Laws to be followed, punishable by incarceration, community service, and even death, depending on the severity of the crime.
Previously, communist regimes grew to a point, but they could not sustain themselves. Christianity always took root, and always made it difficult for the Elitists to control the people. Therefore, today’s communists, socialists, and progressives have smartened up. In modern times, they have slowly perverted the churches, in such a way as to make Americans look at the Christian faith and its laws, as more of a set of guidelines, rather than laws. More like flexible rules, than laws with consequences, with the punishment based on the severity of the offense.
In what should be obvious to ‘We the People’, the now Marxist Democrats and their Mainstream Media allies have hidden and misconstrued the truth. In reality, The Communist Manifesto, which was published in 1847 by Karl Marx and Frederich Engels, emphasizes how the Elite Political and Social classes have exploited the lower classes. They promoted communism in society as a classless society that eliminates racial prejudice. They portrayed communism as a way to transcend the superficiality of race, skin color, blood, gender, and so forth. However, under both Communist and Fascist based Socialism, it was the largest genocidal ideology or cult in the history of mankind. It sought out people based on skin color, and bloodline, and systematically exterminated tens of millions of human beings, especially Jews and Christians!
In contrast, Christians always work to protest against the unfair treatment of the poor, the sick, and those in need. However, in more recent years, many Christians have allowed greed to blur the meaning of life. They have allowed idols to distract them from God. They have allowed their busy lives to view the Sabbath as an option, rather than a requirement. They have allowed peer influence to corrupt their minds, and their worldly surroundings to corrupt their soul. Today, Christianity has become the minority in the world, as the worldly sins permeate our nation, our homes, and yes, even our places of worship.
Never-the-less, as the world, the US Government, and even the Pope himself, seem to be in a downward spiral into chaos, it seems only appropriate to question why they can embrace the Marxist ideology, which has a long and bloody history of hate, anti-Semitism, racism, discrimination, and vicious intolerance, brought down on all who not only dare oppose or question their beliefs, but those who refuse to subscribe to their radical ideology! Why does the Pope and the radical left embrace Marxist Socialism when the ideology strategically discriminates and strips the rights and freedoms of the very people of whom they claim to be fighting for? Sadly, the answer is much more simple than most want to believe and can be summed up with just a few short words…POWER AND GREED!


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Hotel Associa Shizuoka4.0 out of 5.0
Recent guest reviews
The hotel is a typical City hotel, the standard comparable to Hilton. It is clean, very friendly and offers a good choice of national and international breakfast. The rooms are small, but offer the comfort you need when you are on a business trip where you use the room just for a few hours of sleep and a you wanna have a clean bathroom. There is also a bar with an acceptable choice of drinks. We also had dinner in one of the restaurants and enjoyed it very much.
The hotel was in a great location to be able to shop or find transportation to another area. The hotel staff was very clean and the staff was very friendly! I would stay at this hotel again and recommend it to anyone.
I have stayed here both times I have visited Japan. It is great value with comfortable rooms.... The best beds of the hotels ice stayed in. It's clean and The staff were always polite and helpful. It is in a great location, right outside the rail station, and local bus station. And the main coach station is only a few minutes walk. There are plenty of department to stores and an amazing food court next door. There are plenty of restaurants within a few minutes walk and is a good location for sightseeing Shizuoka. Breakfast offers lots of choice, from traditional Japanese, plus continental, hot and cold options, pastries etc. I would definitely stay again and would recommend it to others.
This hotel - bang on Shin-Shizuoka station is a great stay if you have the JR Pass. Just hop on to the bullet trains and enjoy seeing different places. Come back at night by 11 pm. No problem. Distance from Shizuoka :- Tokyo 1 hour, Kyoto 1 hour, Osaka 2.5 hours - Himeji another 15 mnts. down the line. The staff very helpful, rooms are neat n clean. Only the breakfast menu is a big no-no!
Good points: This is the second time I stayed at Associa Shizuoka and I would definitely recommend this hotel specially if you book well in advance as I did. This way you can pay less for the room chosen. - My room was a standard single and I was expecting it could be a little bigger but it was ok. - You will receive a key to go to your room and without it you can't have access to your floor, because you will have to "touch" it in the elevator to have access to your floor. - The location is wonderful basically within the station where you can find many restaurants and convenience stores. Bad points: The breakfast was extremely overpriced and it wasn't that good. Few options to choose from and indeed for less than half of the price I could have a better breakfast in the restaurant outside the hotel. Don't recommend it.
Stayed a night during a quick visit to one of the factories in Shizuoka. Location is excellent, next to the JR station and with food and etc around. Was told is green tea season and Shizuoka has one of the best if not the best green tea in Japan. Bought a few. Room is decent, sufficient size for 1 or max 2. Breakfast was the usual spread and again nothing spectacular. Didn't stay long enough explore outside, only in and out within 12 hours. Had a good dinner within walking distance but can't remember the name.
Hotel is clean and comfortable. Within 1 minute walk of Shizuoka JR station for local and shinkansen trains. Bar on 15th floor has nice views. Buffet breakfast gave a good selection of food both Western and Japanese. Reception staff very helpful.
although it might be bad luck - didn't see the usual service level as I'm used to in japan. got a smoking room by mistake and could not manage to switch to non-smoking room - room itself is pretty old. bed was comfortable though some English communication problem in the counter and eventually big difference in price for same room between me and my colleague for a reason I still trying to figure out. not so friendly place wifi was so slow I couldn't work network cable - didn't work
Directly outside the Jr Shizuoka station. A blessing when you have heavy luggage during winter time. Checkin was smooth and room was comfortable and clean. The facade of the hotel was grand and we felt the price we paid was really value for money. toyota car rental branch right at the lobby. Makes self drive planning efficient! Will stay again.
Can't find fault with this hotel. Friendly service, excellent location with eateries and a family mart just 50 steps away. The parking is at the next building. Beware that there are limited space dedicated for hotel parking. If you return to the hotel between 6 to 9pm, it may be fully occupied by restaurant and banquet users. We had to avoid that time period as it was full for several evenings. Triple room is spacious and very clean. Love it!
Located within a 5-minute walk of Shizuoka City Museum of Art, Hotel Associa Shizuoka is within a 15-minute stroll of Kunozan Toshogu Shrine. This 250-room, 4-star hotel has 4 restaurants along with conveniences like a full-service spa and free in-room WiFi. It's in central Shizuoka and also a short walk from Sumpu Castle and Aoba Symbol Road.
There are multiple options for onsite dining with 4 restaurants, including Al Porto Shizuoka , which specializes in Italian cuisine. Savor a meal from the privacy of your room with room service, or get a pick-me-up at the coffee shop/café. For your convenience, a buffet breakfast is served for a fee each morning from 7 AM to 9:30 AM.
All 250 air-conditioned rooms feature refrigerators, minibars, and free newspapers. Guests can expect to find free WiFi and wired Internet, plus flat-screen TVs with cable channels and pay movies. Bathrooms have hair dryers, free toiletries, and slippers. In-room massages are available, and other amenities include safes and phones.
Guests of Hotel Associa Shizuoka enjoy features like a full-service spa, free WiFi in public areas, and a business center. Self parking is offered for JPY 1200 per night. The 24-hour front desk has staff standing by to help with dry cleaning/laundry and securing valuables. Other amenities at this spa hotel include laundry facilities, a gift shop, and a hair salon.
Reviews from Trip Advisor
85% of guests recommend this hotelTotal of 213 reviews