Daily Archives: February 20, 2021

Travel, Videos, Views

Summer Beach Walks: ‘Piriápolis’ In Uruguay

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Filmed in February 2021

Piriápolis is a city on southern Uruguay’s Atlantic coast. One of the country’s earliest resorts, it’s known for its belle époque–style buildings, like the waterfront Argentino Hotel. Near yacht-filled Piriápolis harbor, a chairlift leads up Cerro San Antonio, a hill with a small whitewashed chapel and a lookout point. The waterfront promenade of Rambla de los Argentinos curves around the bay and Piriápolis Beach. 

Maldonado is the capital of Maldonado Department of Uruguay. As of the census of 2011, it is the seventh most populated city of the country. Maldonado is also the name of the municipality to which the city belongs. 

Homes, Travel, Views

English Country Homes: ‘Wilby Hall’ In Norfolk

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Wilby Hall is believed to have been built by Sir Thomas Lovell and lived in, among others, by Sir Robert Wilton, a friend of Oliver Cromwell, who is thought to have stayed at Wilby Hall during a visit to Norwich.

Of special interest to lovers of historic houses is the fact that, throughout its existence, successive custodians — including Russell — have taken care to conserve the many original features of the 6,183sq ft hall, which offers accommodation on three floors, each room having a specific purpose.

Of particular note are the impressive drawing room, the delightful sitting room with its distinctive wallpaper and handsome fireplace, the cheerful kitchen/breakfast room and the charming library.

Wilby Hall is approached from the east along a sweeping, tree-lined gravel drive that allows tantalising glimpses of the splendid brick-built house. To the north of the main building is an Elizabethan walled garden, formally landscaped with box and yew hedging, yew topiary, herbaceous beds, a pond and ornamental trees. A south-facing garden comprising a large expanse of lawn stretches to the moat that borders the lawns from east to west, with mature broadleaf woodland beyond.

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Homes, Travel, Videos, Views

Desert Homes: Rancho Mirage, California (Video)

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Masterfully renovated while holding true to its Frank Lloyd Wright architectural influence, this inspiring contemporary estate is situated on a prime south-facing lot spanning near an acre off historic Clancy Lane. If you’re an enthusiast of geometric design, long driveways, wrap-around covered patios, numerous banks of windows, spacious mature grounds, and direct mountain vistas from the interior this is the residence for you.

Additional features include: owned solar power system; forty foot long saline pool with automatic cover; elevated ceilings and smooth plastered walls; strikingly conceived fireplace wall; sleek open kitchen concept with stainless steel Sub Zero appliances and drop down range hood, custom built in cabinetry throughout, large wine storage cooler, and perfectly framed mountain view setting; master retreat with true indoor/outdoor living and private patio area, and an enormous tiled focal wall in the well-appointed bathroom; ideal bedroom separation with three upper bedrooms and two lower; all bathrooms throughout have been exquisitely remodeled; open air Zen atrium; sizable putting green; porcelain tile with ‘cement look’ flooring, expansive misting system, and ample parking options including three car garage.

Mark Hagedorn is the residence’s esteemed architect, and he was trained by Wright’s chief draftsman John H. Howe, who was aptly nicknamed ‘the pencil in Wright’s hand’.

Analysis, Business, Retail, Videos

Analysis: Rise Of 7-Eleven Convenience Stores

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7-Eleven, home of the 64-ounce Double Gulp and the Pina Colada Slurpee, has helped revolutionize the way we shop at convenience stores. In March 2019, the 90-year-old brand launched its first Evolution Store. Featuring fresh food options and specialty alcohol, the new store concept is aimed at a new generation of consumers. And with consumer behavior changing due to Covid-19, the convenience store industry could be on the verge of a profound change.

Analysis, Economics, History, Videos

Africa: ‘An Economic History Of Egypt’ (Video)

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The Egyptian Economy was the only one in the Middle East North Africa region to avoid a recession in 2020. Being a good reflection of the economic rollercoaster Egypt routinely finds itself on. One driven by inflation rates of up to 30% a year, a halving of its currency and a painful IMF bailout in 2016. But how did Egypt’s Economy find itself in this situation? What impacts did Five Year Plans, spending nearly 20% of GDP on the military and widespread nationalisation have on its economy? Why is Egypt the world’s largest importer of wheat? And perhaps most importantly, what has its post 2011 revolution delivered?

Egypt, a country linking northeast Africa with the Middle East, dates to the time of the pharaohs. Millennia-old monuments sit along the fertile Nile River Valley, including Giza’s colossal Pyramids and Great Sphinx as well as Luxor’s hieroglyph-lined Karnak Temple and Valley of the Kings tombs. The capital, Cairo, is home to Ottoman landmarks like Muhammad Ali Mosque and the Egyptian Museum, a trove of antiquities. 

Cities, Travel, Videos, Views

Walking Tours: ‘Meiningen In Central Germany’ (4K)

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Meiningen is a town in the southern part of the state of Thuringia, Germany. It is located in the region of Franconia and has a population of around 25,000. Meiningen is the capital and the largest town of the Schmalkalden-Meiningen district. From 1680 to 1920, Meiningen was the capital of the Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen.

Recorded 04 – 02 -2021

Travel, Videos, Views

Aerial Views: ‘Lofoten Islands In Norway’ (Video)

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Lofoten is an archipelago in Norway. Its known for its dramatic scenery, with peaks like the Svolværgeita pinnacle jutting up into the sky. Himmeltindan Mountain sits on Vestvågøya Island. The nearby Lofotr Viking Museum features a Viking longhouse reconstruction. Cycle routes cover the islands, passing through fishing villages like Henningsvær, which has colorful buildings lining its waterways.