Daily Archives: August 2, 2022

Coastal towns often get a reputation for being places for relaxation. Think: lounge chair in the golden sand and a beach read in hand. While we do love a good recovery day in the sun, the Golden Isles of Georgia offers so much outdoor recreation that wed never be able to sit still there for long. And you wont either. In fact, you may even find it hard to fit everything you want to do into just three days. So consider the 72-hour guide a suggestionmaybe more of a challengeand keep reading to see what must-do adventures youll find in the Golden Isles.

The Golden Isles is made up of four barrier islandsSt. Simons Island, Sea Island, Jekyll Island, Little St. Simons Islandand mainland Brunswick. St. Simons Island is the largest of the barrier islands and a hub for activities and events, with plenty of dining options and villages to explore. Just over a short causeway, Sea Islands two luxury resorts offer private beaches, championship golf courses, and high-end dining. Jekyll Island is known for its quiet beaches, historic homes, and quintessential Low Country vacation vibes. Accessible only by boat, the privately-owned Little St. Simons Island welcomes visitors for day tours or stays at any of six small cottages for exclusive access to the island. On the mainland in Brunswick, youll find a historic port-city atmosphere reminiscent of nearby Savannahs.

A GPS app on your phone is great for navigating among the islands, but to truly appreciate how these coastal havens and intertwining waterways connect, you have to see them from above. High Tide Aviation offers scenic flights from St. Simons Island that give you a birds-eye view of the Golden Isles in all their glory. The Jekyll Island Tour flies over neighboring Jekyll Island. Or choose the Golden Isles Passport flight, which covers all four barrier islands and coastal Brunswick.

Once youve seen the Golden Isles from above, youll be dying to get out to explore all the interconnected waterways. From boating on the Altamaha and Satilla Rivers to paddling in the nooks and crannies of marshland that come and go with the tides, there are seemingly endless ways to spend a day on the water. If you arent sure where to go, Southeast Adventure Outfitters can help. The outfitter offers guided kayak and boat tours out of both St. Simons Island and Brunswick.

Tip: Sammies, The Market, and Three Little Birds on St. Simons Island all offer grab-and-go lunches to stash in a cooler. Or if you launch out of Brunswick, try Indigo Coastal Shanty for a laidback lunch or dinner.

If a more hands-on approach to a day on the water sounds more up your alley, head out on a guided fishing trip with Hook & Knife Fishing Charters. Captain Dave offers half- and full-day inshore excursions to land speckled trout and red snapper year-round and flounder, triple tail, and tarpon seasonally. The best part: after you get back to the Hampton River Marina, Captain Dave (also a chef) will cook your catch for you at one of his three restaurants in the area.

Following a full day of fishing and a gourmet meal, youll be happy to settle in at your cozy beach bungalow. Check out Lilmar Properties for vacation rentals on St. Simons Island or stay by the shops and pier at the Village Inn & Pub.

With miles of bike paths throughout, the Golden Isles are easy to explore by bike. On Jekyll Island, rent bikes at Jekyll Island Bike Barn and pedal under the branches of live oaks down the paved paths and boardwalks that make up the more than 22-mile Jekyll Island Trail System. The bike trails take you to beaches around the island, including the famous Driftwood Beach, where weathered trees and branches decorate the shore. When you get hungry, The Wharf is the ultimate spot for a waterfront bite. Loving the laid back vibe on Jekyll Island? Plan to stay the night at Villas by the Sea (right next to Driftwood Beach) or the new beachfront Courtyard by Marriott.

While Jekyll Island is the picture-perfect place for a low-key pedal, Pedego on St. Simons Island turns it up a notch on e-bikes. Take a guided tour of the north or south side of the island midweek (available Tuesdays and Thursdays). Or rent a bike for an afternoon to explore on your own. Dont forget to stop by to say hi to the St. Simons Island Tree Spirits, an installation, by a local artist and his son, of arborist-approved tree carvings scattered around the island.

If you opt for biking on Jekyll Island, dont miss a chance to befriend coastal natives at the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, where conservation experts help to research, protect, and rehabilitate sea turtles from the southeastern Atlantic. Visitors are welcome daily from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. to learn about sea turtles and the centers work. Guests can get a more hands-on conservation experience by helping staff locate and protect nests during the time of year when sea turtles are laying eggs. You may even get lucky enough to start your day watching the little reptiles hatch and crawl to the ocean on a summertime sunrise walk with center staff.

Tip: Little St. Simons Island and Sea Island also offer sea turtle experiences to guests of either The Lodge on Little St. Simons Island and The Cloister or The Lodge at Sea Island.

Before another active day in the Golden Isles, start your morning with a little oceanside sun salutation at an East Beach Yoga class on St. Simons Island. The studio offers Tuesday- and Thursday-morning sessions on the beach during warmer months and has a full lineup of classes in the studio throughout the week. After classor before if you like a coffee to start your dayget your caffeine fix at Wake Up Coffee. This hip coffee shop is a local favorite and also has a location on the mainland in Brunswick. Or try Dulce Dough Bakery for homemade donuts and other breakfast goodies.

Although Little St. Simons Island is just across the river from St. Simons Island, the privately owned landmass is reachable only by boat. Book a day trip to explore the private beaches and spend time on a guided tour with a naturalist, wholl have a wealth of knowledge about the natural history of the island. All day-trip guests are treated to a Low Country lunch and plenty of time to relax with virtually no one else around.

Located along the 100-mile Georgia coast, the Golden Isles is made up of four barrier islandsSt. Simons Island, Sea Island, Jekyll Island, and Little St. Simons Islandand the historic port city of Brunswick. The Golden Isles is a place to escape, settle into the rhythm of the tides and go at your own pace.

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How to Spend 72 Hours in the Golden Isles - Outside

Weve never met a scenic boardwalk trail we didnt like, but this one might be Ontarios best. Hardy Lake Provincial Park is one of the quieter hiking spots in the Muskoka region, with a wooden walkway to take in your surroundings.

There are no visitor facilities or amenities at Hardy Lake, according to Ontario Parks, but the fascinating geological history makes it a destination worth visiting.

The park has a rich community of Atlantic coastal plain species. These species are here because at one time, much of present day Ontario was submerged beneath numerous glacial and post-glacial lakes, writes Ontario Parks.

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When the ancient Lake Algonquin receded, it left a remnant community of Atlantic Ocean shoreline plants behind. The park also contains an inland section of displaced Georgian Bay shoreline.

The main attraction of Hardy Lake appears about halfway through your journey, according to Ontario Hiking, where a path made of wooden planks seems to float above the water, leading you to a small rocky island.

This little island is a great spot to break for a picnic or a dip in the lake.

There are a series of boardwalk trails throughout the park, providing multiple vantage points to take in the scenery.

If youre looking for a more authentic island experience in Ontario, you can ferry over to Pelee Island, known as one of Canadas best-kept secrets, located on Lake Erie.

There are actually many islands to see throughout the province, including an island that has a natural bathtub you can soak in under the sun.

And if you really want to go off-grid, there are all kinds of gorgeous private islands you can rent for a weekend on Ontarios lakes and bays.

Dont let summer pass you by without seeing the incredible sights right in your own backyard!

Where: Highway 169, Torrance, Ontario (19 km west of Gravenhurst)

With a curated slate of what matters in your city, Curiocity presents you with the most relevant local food, experiences, news, deals, and adventures. We help you get the most out of your city and focus on the easy-to-miss details so that youre always in the know.

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This provincial park in Ontario has a stunning boardwalk to an island - Curiocity

Fighting and Befriending Waste: How Its Done

Develop waste management facilities: Several development partners, including the World Bank, have been supporting investments in the Maldives to develop inhabited island waste and resource management centers and regional waste processing facilities such as the Vandhoo Regional Facility in the north, to manage its waste in a more efficient and environmentally friendly manner. The government has pivoted recently to introduce more decentralized atoll-level waste management strategies that will help strengthen coordination and efficiencies at the local levels and increase local processing of waste to reduce reliance on central facilities, thereby also saving transportation costs.Strengthen national policy: Starting June 1, 2022, the government banned the production, import, and consumption of a first group of single-use plastics. This policy has been informed by a series of World Bank-funded pilot initiatives conducted in conjunction with local NGOs to increase awareness of marine litter and incentivize citizens to use alternatives to single-use plastics.

Citizens are overall optimistic about this policy. Noted Maldivian environmental activist Shaahina Ali says, For me, this first step of phasing out plastics from the Maldives, although a very small one, is a very bold and positive one. Ali works for Parley for the Oceans, also a World Bank partner that has helped organized numerous beach cleanups and awareness-raising events with school children and adults. Ali exclaims with characteristic passion, I go there to clean up with hopehope that my grandchildren will see whales in the ocean in their lifetime as I did growing up.

Source segregation of waste: While investing in waste management facilities and banning single-use plastics are important, the segregation of waste at sourcenow required by lawis this archipelagos highest priority waste management solution. If there is any silver-bullet approach to focus on, this is the one. Segregation and pre-processing of individual waste streams at source help reduce the amount of residual trash that requires transportation at high cost. It also increases the materials that can be recycled and re-used.

World Bank PROBLUE-funded pilot initiatives led by the Maldives Arts and Crafts Society (MACCS), Parley for the Oceans, and another local NGO, Zero Waste Maldives, promoted household kitchen gardening and composting training across all atolls to stimulate source separation of waste. The workshops were community based and have inspired passion and a sense of unity from participants:

Lets show public spaces as pleasant places for visitors.

No one else is going to come to clean our island. It is up to us to keep it clean.

Developing new business models: The NGOs are also actively promoting the re-use and recycling of waste, creating building blocks for behavior change and business models for the community. MACCS brought local women together to make reusable bags from used garments, and subsequently incentivize local businesses to replace plastic bags with cloth ones and reward customers who use them repeatedly. Also, since women play a significant role in the waste management hierarchy in the Maldivesthey oversee household shopping and waste disposalengaging, informing, and empowering women on waste management can bring solutions and major shift in attitudes on the islands.

The good news is that the potential to use waste for more productive purposes is largely untapped, so there is tremendous room for improvement, forward thinking, and innovation in the waste to wealth management approach in the Maldives, explains Karin Shepardson, World Bank Task Team Leader for MCEP.

Forge public-private partnerships: For a nation known for its one island, one resort concept, public-private partnerships with resorts located within the same atoll and sharing the same protected waters, is key to the success of sustainable waste management. The Maldives has experienced resounding success with the Namoona Baa initiative launched by the Maldivian resort, Soneva Fushi, in partnership with a group of 11 neighboring Islands to pledge to end the open burning of island waste and shift towards eco-friendly waste management. In December 2021 alone, of the more than 4,700 compressed packages of waste from these islands weighing 63,000 kilograms, an impressive 87 percent was treatable waste that could either be handled on the island itself by composting organic waste or transported elsewhere for recycling.

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Maldives Is Turning Waste to Wealth, Energizing Youth, to Safeguard its Future - World Bank Group

Were deep into summer and hotels across the country have plenty of daycation deals for those looking to relax poolside, beachside or in a hotel day room, perhaps.

Whether you're in the capital or keen to soak up some Dubai sunshine, this round-up details what's on offer.

Additionally, if you want to turn those days into nights, check out our guide to the season's best hotel stays.

Get your entire entry fee back in credit to spend at W Abu Dhabi Yas Island this summer. Photo: Reem Mohammed

Known for its rooftop pool with amazing views over the island, W Abu Dhabi Yas Island's daily Daydream at Wet Deck package is perfect for whiling away summer days. As well as being able to dip into the temperature-controlled swimming pool, youll get sun lounger access at Wet Deck and your Dh150 entry fee back to spend on food and beverages.

Monday-Saturday, Dh150; http://www.wabudhabidining.com

Emirates Palace has its own private shoreline plus two swimming pools to enjoy. Photo: DCT Abu Dhabi

Want to spend a long summer day at one of the most regal hotels in Abu Dhabi? The Emirates Palace Beach Club has its own 1.3 kilometres of private shoreline plus two swimming pools, one with a lazy river thats ideal for chilled-out summer days. Even better, you can beat the heat with 10-hour access to your own deluxe garden terrace room, ideal for a post-swim nap, a spot of lunch or a place to escape to the shade between sunbathing sessions. Youll also get half your fee back to spend in resort credit.

Daily, Dh600 per adult, Dh300 for children under 12; http://www.mandarinoriental.com

The WB Abu Dhabi has a huge pool, complete with a dive-in movie theatre. Photo: Hilton

The first Warner Bros hotel in the Middle East is open this summer for day visits alongside all your favourite film and TV characters. Relax at the family-friendly pool, where theres a splash zone and dive-in movie screen for children to enjoy, and get access to the hotels first-class gym, to help keep your fitness goals on track. Children can also head to the Kids' Club for daily entertainment and youll receive credit to spend on dining experiences at any of the hotels restaurants.

Daily, Dh250 per adult or Dh500 for a family of four on weekends, Dh150 per adult or Dh300 for family passes on weekdays; reservations via spa.thewbabudhabi@hilton.com; http://www.hilton.com

Fairmont Bab Al Bahr offers poolside lounging and Khor Al Maqta views. Photo: DCT Abu Dhabi

For five-star service coupled with amazing views, head to Fairmont Bab Al Bahr where youll get a comfy sunbed plus Dh100 resort credit per person to spend during your visit. Even better, children under 12 enter free of charge so you can bring the whole family along.

Daily, Dh149 on weekdays, Dh199 on weekends; http://www.fairmont.com

Anantara Eastern Mangroves has launched a summer daycation offer. Photo: Anantara

Nestled by Abu Dhabis natural waterways, Anantara Eastern Mangroves offers a poolside daycation with a difference. As well as being able to dip into the chilled infinity pool and lounge on luxury sunbeds, youll also get to enjoy views of the mangroves and take part in some leisurely bird spotting with several species calling this stretch of land home. Day guests also get their entire entry fee back to spend on food and drinks.

Daily, Dh150 per adult; reservations via emlifestyle@anantara.com; anantara.com

Shangri-La is giving guests credit back to spend in the resort this summer. Photo: Shangri-La Qaryat, Al Beri

With a one kilometre-long private beach and lush gardens, Shangri-La Qaryat, Al Beri comes with views of the Khor Al Maqta creek and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. This summer you can bring the whole family to spend the day at the hotels infinity pool. There are two options to choose from, depending how much credit you want back to spend on food and beverage at the resort, and best of all children under 6 swim for free.

Daily, Dh195 (with Dh170 credit), Dh295 (with Dh250 credit), http://www.shangrila.com

Daycation with Ain Dubai views at Neptune Pool and Bar. Photo: Caesars Palace at Bluewaters Island

The Neptune Pool and Bar at Caesars Palace at Bluewaters Dubai comes with views of Ain Dubai, comfortable sun loungers, a private beach and all-day access to the sprawling swimming pool. As you relax, peruse the food and beverage menu as youll have your full entry fee back to spend on eats and drinks.

Daily, Dh280 weekdays, Dh380 on weekends; http://www.caesars.com

Make like an A-lister this summer and head to a private island for a day of beachside lounging, ocean breezes and excellent food and drinks. Anantara World Islands Dubai Resort is the first to have opened at the ambitious project off the coast and is welcoming day guests. Enjoy 360-degree views of the city and the ocean, before unwinding in the palm tree-surrounded infinity pool.

Its not the cheapest daycation package, but this is a private island were talking about and your fee includes speedboat transfers plus Dh350 in credit to spend on spa treatments or dining. Children can enter for half-price and enjoy unlimited dining and drinks throughout their visit.

Daily, Dh750 for adults, Dh325 for children aged 5-11, free for children under 5; http://www.anatrara.com

Spend a summer day lounging in the heart of the DIFC. Photo: Four Seasons

If a day lounging in the heart of the Dubai International Financial Centre appeals, then Four Seasons is the place to go to. Head straight to the rooftop for sun-seeking sessions with a view, or get comfortable beside the hotels glass-walled pool surrounded by some of the city's most-loved skyscrapers. And, technically, it wont cost you a dirham, as youll get your full entry fee back to spend on the poolside menu.

Daily, Dh300; http://www.fourseasons.com

Grab your friends for a luxury daycation at the world's highest infinity swimming pool in Dubai. Photo: Zeta Seventy Seven

For the ultimate Dubai-style pool day, and plenty of bragging rights on the 'Gram, gather six friends and head to Zeta Seventy Seven, at the Address Beach Resort. The highest outdoor infinity pool in the world, as verified by Guinness World Records, welcomes guests over the age of 21 to take a dip nearly 300 metres above the city. As well as having access to this sweet spot with awe-inspiring vistas, youll also get a fully air-conditioned cabana complete with a TV, Bluetooth speakers, a coffee machine and a private bathroom and shower. Food and signature beverages are also part of the deal, so get ready to settle in for the duration.

Daily, Dh7,777 for up to seven people; http://www.addresshotels.com

The Centara Mirage Beach Resort in Dubai has a family daycation deal including lunch and a hotel room. Photo: Centara

Families should make a beeline for the Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai this summer where daycation passes are available until the end of September. Get access to the hotels expansive swimming pools and water parks including the lazy river, water slides and cliff jumping points. Theres also a rope climbing course for budding adventurers. Adults can unwind by the pool while children head to the Camp Safari Kids' Club, while teenagers can enjoy the Ezone. Lunch is included, served at Thai restaurant Suan Bua, and youll also have access to a superior room for post-swim naps and showers.

Weekdays only, Dh350 excluding taxes for two adults and two children, additional guests from Dh100 per person; http://www.centarahotelsresorts.com

All-inclusive staycations are popular, but why not give an all-inclusive daycation a try? Rixos The Palm Hotel and Suites is offering exactly that this summer with visitors having access to the resorts temperature-controlled swimming pool and private beach, as well as the Jungle Gym and fitness activities in the outdoor wellness area. Little ones can go to the Rixy Kids' Club, where theyll have their own mini pool. All food and drinks are taken care of with access to the breakfast and lunch buffets (non-alcoholic package) at A La Turca, plus unlimited soft and house beverages at I-Chill Beach Lounge for those seeking afternoon poolside drinks.

Daily, Dh399 per person on weekdays, Dh499 on weekends; http://www.accor.com

Residential favourite Vida Emirates Hills is offering pool passes this summer at cut-price rates and all of your fee back to spend on food and beverages. Grab a lounger or a cabana and soak up those rays beside the sparkling infinity pool with views over the lush green neighbourhood, plus all of your entry fee back as credit to spend on food and drinks.

Daily, Dh120, Saturdays have a limited F&B menu; http://www.vidahotels.com

1. Summer stays at Legoland Hotel Dubai start from Dh650 for a family of four.

Updated: July 30, 2022, 4:52 AM

Link:

The best summer daycation deals in Dubai and Abu Dhabi - The National

(CNS): At least 652 households recorded people in their families going to bed hungry in Cayman because they could not afford to buy food in the month prior to them taking part in the 2021 census last October. Another 673 households said they didnt know or did not answer the question, which means that well over 2.2% of families, the majority of them Caymanian, are food insecure, despite the countrys significant GDP.

This is a serious area of concern for this government and one of the reasons why we pushed the school meal programme very early on, Deputy Premier Chris Saunders said last week at the recent press briefing announcing the publication of the 2021 Census of Population and Housing Report. There is still a lot of work to be done and we will be working with other private sector organisations to ensure that nobody that calls the Cayman Islands home should go to bed hungry.

Saunders said that not everyone in the Cayman Islands can be rich. Equally, nobody in the Cayman Islands needs to be poor. We have too much resources here for anyone to be going to bed hungry. This is one of the other things that is very dear to me and my colleagues, he said.

The question about food insecurity was one of several new additions to the census, which was designed to collect more data about how people are living and where government needs to invest and redesign policies to support the community.

Like you, all of us in the PACT Government believe that there is a disconnect between the quality of our economy and the quality of life for our people, and one of our goals since taking office was to improve our data collection that focuses on quality of life, Saunders said, noting that the census revealed a worrying number of people that could be going hungry.

According to the census report, North Side and East End households had the highest levels of food insecurity at 4.5% each, while 2.7% of families in Bodden Town and 2.3% in the Sister Islands also reported people going to bed hungry. George Town had the lowest level of food concerns at 1.8%, followed by West Bay with 2.1%. Of the total households reporting food insecurity, over 65% were Caymanian.

Premier Wayne Panton said thecensusresults would be used to improve social conditions and standards of living for these vulnerable members of the community.

With the newcensusinformation we now have information on persons outside the labour force, older persons, persons with disabilities, veterans, persons in households with food security issues and those without health insurance, he said. Having this information is going to be very valuable in assisting our government in being able to work for you, but it will also help the many hard-working community-based groups the NGOs to better understand and serve the people they help as well, he added.

The census revealed the average and mean earnings for workers in the Cayman Islands, which highlighted the gaps between the rich and the poor as well as the problem of the working poor.

While some 3,921 people said they earned in excess of $100,800 per annum, the vast majority of workers reported having to manage on less than $36,000 a year. But around 15,000 employees (more than one-third of the entire workforce) were earning less than CI$2,400 per month, posing a challenge for those families given the already high cost of living in Cayman, fuelled further in recent years by relentless inflation.

The overall median earnings for the country was $35,994, which means that 50% of the population earned below that amount. The median income for Caymanians was higher at $45,594, while non-Caymanians median earnings were $31,194. But that does not tell the real picture, given the significant numbers of people on much lower incomes.

The census revealed numerous other inequities in the workforce, such as women earning less than men in some cases for doing the same work and non-Caymanians earning less than Caymanians, another issue that Saunders raised at the recent press briefing.

While I am aware that there may be positions with different levels of seniority, nonetheless we need to make sure that it is indeed based on seniority or type of role and not anything else, he said. While this government cannot guarantee an equal outcome, we will continue to push for equal opportunities.

Saunders, who is the labour minister, urged employers and managers to ensure that people are treated fairly and paid equally when performing the same roles.

Although the census reported an unemployment rate at the time of the count of 5.7% across the workforce, Caymanian unemployment stood at 8.5%. Since then, the Labour Force Survey recorded a drop in overall unemployment to 3% at the end of June this year, with the rate of unemployment for Caymanians at 5.1%.

Watch the full press briefing on CIGTV below:

The rest is here:

Over 650 families going to bed hungry - Cayman Islands Headline News - Cayman News Service