The City That Never Sleeps!

Post by: Gerarda on 10 Dec 2015

This post was written bySusannah Jayes, Picture Editor/Researcher and writer from London and contributor to my blog.

 

Statue_of_Liberty

New York, New York – so good they named it twice! Having seen it so many times in the movies and on TV, in November 2015, my husband and I were really excited to finally visit the Big Apple for real. It was all that we expected and more – noisy, brash and exuberant – and full of surprises.

We were based in Mid-Town, not far from Central Park, which was a blaze of autumn colour and the perfect haven from the constant bustling of the streets. We were mostly blessed with mild and warm weather, and the clear blue skies made the legendary NY skyscraper skyline stand out with great clarity – with abundant opportunities for photography everywhere we looked.

Determined to make the most of our short stay, we visited as many of the ‘must-see’ places as we could, from the iconic Guggenheim Museum with its famous spiral gallery space, to the Metropolitan Museum of Art – which was truly amazing in scope and would have taken many more visits to see in all its glory. We also took in The Frick Collection built up by Henry Clay Frick (1849-1919), one of America’s most successful industrialists. Housed in a beautiful early 20th century townhouse, the collection includes masterpieces of Western painting, sculpture, and decorative art – from Titian and El Greco to JMW Turner and John Constable.

NY_2

No trip to New York would be complete without a visit to the Statue of Liberty, so we took the boat trip across the harbour along with seemingly thousands of other tourists and enjoyed a sunny morning admiring the colossal statue, America’s proud symbol of independence and freedom. We also had time to explore Ellis Island, which lay nearby and which in the early 20th century was the gateway to the United States for many thousands of immigrants from Europe and beyond. Later the same day, we visited the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, which told the moving story of that tragic day.

We also braved the queues at the Empire State Building and were rewarded with breath-taking views across Manhattan, even though the wind was incredible on the viewing platform 102 floors above ground level! There was also time to take in some shopping at Macy’s and to enjoy a Broadway show – The Color Purple, a musical based on Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book, on which my sister, Catherine, was working as Musical Supervisor. Starring Jennifer Hudson and wiith an uplifting score of jazz, gospel, ragtime and blues, the show is a real triumph.

Overall, New York didn’t disappoint – and we were delighted at how friendly and helpful the people were, always eager to assist us when got lost or couldn’t find the right bus stop. Thank you, New York! See you again soon!

NYC_3
(c) 2015  Mayflower Media Ltd
Categories: Christmas,Culture,Stockholm Dental Clinic News
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Posted on Thursday 10th December 2015 at 9:28 am

Christmas Present Collection for orphans

Post by: Gerarda on 25 Nov 2015

Kleiner Junge ist gespannt auf sein Weihnachtsgeschenk 

If you truly want to make a difference this Christmas then look no further than the orphans and children of domestic violence on the Costa del Sol. There are far too many children in care and this time of year is an even more poignant reminder that their lives have changed and Christmas will not be celebrated in the traditional manner.  To help make Christmas a special time and bring a smile to a face, once again there will be a Christmas present collection for the orphanages in Alora Malaga and children in the Domestic Violence houses.

They need your help!

Instructions:

  1. Buy and wrap a present for children between ages 1-19 years.
  2. Tag it for boy or girl.
  3. Tag it for the appropriate age.
  4. Drop it off at one of the locations below.

Suggested list of presents:

  • DVDs
  • Books
  • Fun toothbrushes, colors, themes, characters
  • Toiletries (brushes, combs, shampoo, soap, fun toothbrushes – colors, themes or characters,
    shaving cream, perfume, etc.)
  • Stationary type items, such as small pretty notepads, note cards, stickers, decorative pencils, cool pens, markers
  • Small/Light toys, such as yo-yo’s, toy cars, small rubber balls, small action figures, small dolls,
  • Packs of Trading Cards such as sports teams, popular characters
  • School bags
  • Fun girl makeup items such as flavored lip glosses
  • Hair accessories for girls
  • Candy
  • Small, travel size board games or card games
  • Inexpensive wristwatch – sometimes €5 at the market
  • Slippers/House shoes, all sizes/styles
  • Socks any color for boys, girls prefer fun characters or themes
  • Sewing supplies
  • Small Lego sets, small puzzles
  • Fun key chains, especially key chain size flashlights

Last year was hugely successful and the children all had a lovely Christmas because of you!

Drop points in the Marbella area:

The Boardwalk Marbella

Slainte Banus

The Boardwalk Creperie in Ambrosia

Neli G’s Benavista

Funky Forest Estepona

Galaxia Playcentre Guadalmina

Wonderland Playschool San Pedro

Beckitts Marbella

The Barber Club Banus

Golden Tarts Banus

 

Categories: Christmas,Costa del Sol News,Culture,Marbella News
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Posted on Wednesday 25th November 2015 at 11:09 am

Christmas Tree Lighting 2015

Post by: Gerarda on 23 Nov 2015

Weihnachtsbaum in verschneiter Nacht

 

Christmas Tree Lighting ceremonies have become an annual holiday tradition for Costa del Sol families. These are free, family-friendly events, with live entertainment, music, singing of Christmas carols of course, and some with mulled wine, roasted chestnuts and Christmas cookies.

They are all for a good cause as well. Shop at the market stalls or make a donation to the various charities, which helps enrich the lives of children on the coast.

If you want to watch a beautiful Costa del Sol event with your loved ones, why not attend one of the Christmas Tree Lighting events. It is the perfect family-friendly activity to kick off the holiday season.

 

Malaga Christmas Lights

Where: Calle Larios

When: Friday, November 27th

Time: 18.00

 

Marbella Christmas Lights

Where: Ricardo Soriano

When: Friday, December 4th

Time: 18.00

 

Lighting of the Christmas Tree & Christmas Market

Where: Kempinski Hotel, Bahía, Estepona

When: December 5th

Time: 16.00

For a magical start to Christmas… the traditional lighting of the Christmas tree and boutique Christmas Market, roasted chestnuts, mulled wine and carols from ‘El Tenor’ at dusk. They will dim the lights and officially light the Christmas tree with Father Christmas. There will be a performance by the Choir Magnum Mysterium and much, much more!

Categories: Christmas,Costa del Sol News,Marbella News
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Posted on Monday 23rd November 2015 at 12:07 pm

Christmas Markets in Marbella Area 2015

Post by: Gerarda on 12 Nov 2015

Weihnachtstiere

Believe it or not it is that time of year again. Yes, Christmas has sneaked up on us yet again. There will be a number of Christmas markets happening along the coast from now until late December. I have included a few of the markets and as I receive more information  I will post updates. The first Christmas market is this weekend and is probably the largest of the markets.

Caritas Christmas Market

Over 120 stalls of food, crafts, decorations, antiques, homemade cakes & cookies, a restaurant, a cafeteria, a bodeguita (wine bar) and a bouncy castle & tombola for the children.

Date: November 12th, 13th, 14th & 15th

Time: 11:00 – 22.00

Location: Palacio de Congresos, Marbella

 

Aloha College Christmas Bazaar

International food fair, raffles, stalls, chocolate tombola, performances, Father Christmas

Date: November 28th

Time: 11.00-16.00

Location: Aloha College, Nueva Andalucia

 

AAA – Christmas Bazaar

Date: December 13th

Time: 11.00 – 17.30

Location: Palacio de Congresos, Marbella

Registration: FREE if your 2 – legged, 8€ 4 – legged

 

La Virginia Christmas Market

Date: December 13th

Time: 11 – 18.00

Location: Urb. La Virginia, Marbella

 

Christmas Market with the Lions Club of Marbella

Date: November 21st & 22nd

Time: 14.00-19.00

Location: Marbella Golf Country Club
Salida de los Monteros, Ctra. de Cádiz Km188

 

ADANA – Association for the Rights of Abandoned Animals

Date: Saturday, November 22nd

Time: 10:00 – 16:00

Location: Palaco de Congresos, Estepona

They will have a number of stalls and therefore, need the following items:
• Plants
• Good quality clothing for the ‘Posh Frocks’ stand
• Good quality second hand towels/doggie items (eg. beds, toys, collars etc.)
• Cakes for the café (a lot)
• Cava & tapas (for the cava and tapas bar)
• Prizes for the tombola (alcohol, chocolates, good quality beauty products etc.)
• Bran Tub prizes (sweets, dog treats, jewellery, cash and anything that fits inside a plastic ball measuring 3″ (7.62cm) across x 3.5″ (8.89cm)

 

They need the following volunteers:

• To set up tables and chairs

• To attend the stalls

• At 16.00 to clean the hall

• Face painters for children

Categories: Christmas,Culture,Marbella News
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Posted on Thursday 12th November 2015 at 1:33 pm

BERMUDA – A TROPICAL CHRISTMAS 2014

Post by: Gerarda on 14 Jan 2015

(This Post was written by Susannah Jayes, Picture Editor and writer from London and contributor to my blog.)

Eager to escape the grey and cold London winter, a few days before Christmas 2014, my husband and I headed to Bermuda for a brief holiday in the sun. Our destination was the Cambridge Beaches Resort and Spa (www.cambridgebeaches.com) at the western end of the island, with its private guest villas overlooking the sea. With swimming pools, private beaches and excellent cuisine, the resort was a great base for us to explore the island. Bermuda 1

What struck us most was how welcoming and friendly everyone was – both at the resort and everywhere we went on Bermuda. We were also lucky with the weather and had very warm sun on most days, so if you should get a chance to visit, you will be assured of a very warm reception.

Christmas cake Dec 2014Among our favourite places to visit was the Royal Naval Dockyard – a fort and ship repair yard built by the British in the early 19th century and in use until 1951. Today, there is a new cruise ship terminal, and many of the original buildings, such as the Clocktower, have been beautifully converted into shops, restaurants and craft centres. We visited the Bermuda Rum Cake Company, which, as its name implies, makes delicious traditional cakes – the rum cake was delicious!

Besides being home to the National Museum, the old stone-built fort at Dockyard is also home to Dolphin Quest Bermuda, where we spent a happy hour or so in the sunshine watching the nine beautiful and happy dolphins splashing about and interacting with their trainers. (Dolphin Quest is an international organization devoted to public education and to the conservation of marine wildlife.)

We took advantage of the excellent local buses to visit many other attractions around Bermuda, including Gibbs Lighthouse, which is one of the world’s oldest cast iron lighthouses, built in 1844. There are 185 steps to the top and I am proud to say that we made it all the way up, where the views were magnificent.

Equally fantastic was Horseshoe Bay, which we visited on New Year’s Day. Among the most famous beaches in Bermuda, we were again lucky with the weather and enjoyed hot sunshine as we paddled in the brilliant blue sea.

Church 2014

The capital of Bermuda is the city and main port of Hamilton. We travelled across to Hamilton by ferry and enjoyed exploring the parks and the Botanical Gardens, as well as the seafront with its many shops and cafes. We also visited the lovely coastal town of St George’s, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is famous for its unfinished church.

All in all, we loved Bermuda for its friendly people, its warm weather and its fascinating history and we would highly recommend a visit.

 

 

 

Categories: Christmas,Costa del Sol News,Culture,Marbella News,Stockholm Dental Clinic News
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Posted on Wednesday 14th January 2015 at 11:12 am