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Books: The New York Times Book Review – Jan 22, 2023

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Illustration by Anthony Gerace

The New York Times Book Review – January 22, 2023:

A New Novel Confronts the Scale and Gravity of Climate Change

As catastrophe approaches, Stephen Markley’s “The Deluge” considers its many facets.

A Documentarian Travels the World Asking: ‘Have You Eaten Yet?’

From the Arctic to the Amazon, Cheuk Kwan traces a diaspora through Chinese restaurants owned and operated by immigrant families.

Read Your Way Through Newfoundland

Michael Crummey, an award-winning author whose poetry and prose explore the region and its capital, St. John’s, shares book recommendations, local vocabulary and where to find a good pint.

Adventure, Boats, Tourism, Travel, Videos, Views

Safari Travel: Okavango Delta By Boat In Botswana

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DW Travel – On safari through Botswana’s wilderness in a dugout canoe: Rather than rumbling through nature in a noisy jeep, glide silently through the water in a traditional mokoro boat – getting closer than ever to elephants, hippos, and other animals, without disturbing them with noise, and exhaust fumes.

Botswana, country in the centre of Southern Africa. The territory is roughly triangular—approximately 600 miles (965 km) from north to south and 600 miles from east to west—with its eastern side protruding into a sharp point. Its eastern and southern borders are marked by river courses and an old wagon road; its western borders are lines of longitude and latitude through the Kalahari, and its northern borders combine straight lines with a river course. Within the confines of Botswana’s borders is a rich variety of wildlife, including many species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish.

Botswana
Botswana

Before its independence in 1966, Botswana was a British protectorate known as Bechuanaland. It was also one of the poorest and least-developed states in the world. The country is named after its dominant ethnic group, the Tswana (“Bechuana” in older variant orthography). Since its independence the Republic of Botswana has gained international stature as a peaceful and increasingly prosperous democratic state. It is a member of the United Nations, the Commonwealth, the African Union (AU), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The secretariat of SADC is housed in the capital of Botswana, Gaborone (until 1969 spelled Gaberones—i.e., Gaborone’s town, after the tribal chief who had his capital at the site during the colonial period).

Boats, Tourism, Tours, Travel, Videos, Views

Waterway Travel: Hotel Barge ‘Renaissance’ On The Canal de Briare In France

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European Waterways – Luxury hotel barge Renaissance has been designed to carry 8 guests in ultimate luxury along the Canal de Briare, France’s oldest canal, completed in 1642 and steeped in history on a cruise route that features elegant châteaux, small countryside villages and the famed wine-growing region of Sancerre.

She is a very spacious hotel barge and the beautifully appointed saloon with its wooden beams, classic dining furniture and artwork, invokes the atmosphere of a classic French manor house. The comfortable leather sofas and hand-built bar where you can enjoy your pre-dinner aperitif, add to the feeling of onboard opulence. The ‘Renaissance mood’ extends to the four very generously sized twin- or double-bedded bedroom suites, (approx. average 250sq ft including en suite), each one fully air-conditioned and complemented by a large en suite shower room.

Outside, the large forward deck includes a covered roof extension with a circular table for alfresco dining, comfortable hardwood sun loungers and a heated spa pool. With her refined onboard ambience, Renaissance is the perfect vessel on which to cruise a historic canal and experience the splendour of landmarks en route, including Gustav’s Eiffels’s aqueduct across the mighty River Loire.

CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS:

  • – Visit the “time capsule” studio home of 19th century artist Rosa Bonheur and lunch in her salon
  • – Tour of the privately-owned Château de La Bussière, including a cooking demonstration using seasonal produce from the gardens
  • – 7-lock flight at Rogny-Les-Sept-Ecluses, a national historic monument – Cruise across the aqueduct at Briare, built by Gustave Eiffel over the River Loire
  • – Private wine tasting at the renowned Sancerre winery of La Perriere – Excellent opportunities for walking and biking. Biking Plus option available

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Boats, Travel, Videos, Views

Canada Views: A Steamship Cruise Of Lake Muskoka

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Muskoka Lakes is cottage country paradise. Miles of boating, natural wonders, a vibrant history and a superb quality of life attract visitors from around the world. It is comprised of 80 lakes, including the three big lakes that define the Muskoka experience: lakes Muskoka, Rosseau and Joseph.

Muskoka’s steamship heritage is older than Canada. The first ship steamed Lake Muskoka in 1866. In 2017, the RMS Segwun’s marked 130 years of history. She is North America’s oldest operating mail steamship. Wenonah II, a modern interpretation of a traditional steamship, is named in honour of Wenonah, the first steamship to sail Lake Muskoka. In 1887, long before the era of modern highways, the R.M.S. Segwun was built in Glasgow, Scotland, and assembled at Gravenhurst.

The ship was originally a side paddlewheel steamer named “Nipissing II” and served as a connection – transporting passengers, mail, and freight from Muskoka Wharf in Gravenhurst to cottages, resorts and homes that were beginning to populate the Muskoka Lakes

Boats, Tours, Travel, Videos, Views

Germany Views: Boat Tour Of Lübbenau In Spreewald Biosphere Reserve (4K)

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Lübbenau lies nestling in the UNESCO Spreewald Biosphere Reserve and it makes an immediate impression with its charming Old Town and a bustling port quarter for boat trips into the Spreewald.

Lübbenau is part of the Upper Spreewald-Lausitz district in southern Brandenburg, about one hour’s drive from Berlin. The town was first mentioned in records in 1315 and in 2015 it celebrates its 700th anniversary. Traces of its medieval beginnings can still be found in the historical town centre. The lively port quarter of Lübbenau is a popular starting point for boat trips into the Spreewald. 

Boats, Tours, Travel, Videos, Views

Boat Cruise Tours: Nice To Villefranche-sur-Mer (4K)

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A one-hour cruise of Nice, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and Villefranche-sur-Mer in August, 2022.

Saint-Jean Cap Ferrat is an exceptional site and one of the most loveliest places on the Mediterranean coast.

The peninsula is situated next to Nice and Villefranche sur Mer and extends out to Cap Ferrat. Its tranquillity and warm climate make it a favourite holiday destination amongst European aristocracy and international millionnaires.

Boats, Profiles, Tours, Travel, Videos, Views

Sailing Yacht Tours: 2018 89′ Ketch ‘Spirit Of Venice’

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Launched in 2018 at VMG Shipyard, the 89’ (27.32m) SPIRIT OF VENICE is a classic masterpiece and is the perfect example of close collaboration between owner and designer. She boasts a rich Dutch pedigree with an aluminum hull built by Dijkstra Metaalbewerking, a superstructure built by VMG and designs by Olivier van Meer.

The yacht was built with all the features to be sailed single-handedly around the world with the utmost comfort and updated technology. Her 2018 build has combined modern elements with an authentic, classic style. SPIRIT OF VENICE can enter small harbors and shallow sailing areas, and her stern platform allows the owner to easily maneuverer the tender into the water. 

SPIRIT OF VENICE welcomes up to six guests in the comfort of three well-appointed cabins. The master cabin features a double bed, stylish sofa, plenty of storage space and a clever book corner. The adjoining bathroom is traditional, with a classic bathtub and gold hardware. The two additional cabins also offer storage and a spacious bathroom. 

Boats, Classics, History, Profiles, Stories, Tours, Videos, Views

Italian Classics: The ‘Myth’ Behind Riva Aquaramas

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During Italy’s post-war boom years, Riva’s glamorous wooden boats were the pinnacle of “la dolce vita” – the Ferraris of motorboats, owned by movie stars, tycoons and royalty. Correspondent Seth Doane takes a spin on the water in a classic Riva; checks out a new edition of the famed Aquarama boat; and learns how the company is working to keep Riva’s spirit alive.

Alberto Galassi is raving about his Riva, a 1970 wooden Aquarama, formed of cedar from Lebanon and mahogany. The CEO of the Ferretti Group, which now owns the Riva boat brand, he took correspondent Seth Doane on a ride on Italy’s picturesque Lake Iseo, racing past Riva’s factory.

“Riva is beyond boating; Riva is a myth,” Galassi said of the classic Riva speedboats, which have been in the hands of royalty, movie stars, rock stars and tycoons. “Let’s be honest. I mean, when you say, ‘I have a Ferrari,’ you need to say you ‘have a car’? Everybody knows what a Ferrari is. Riva is the same thing.”

Boats, Design, Tours, Videos, Views

Tours: 1961 Gentleman’s Yacht ‘CAMARA C’ (105 Feet)

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CAMARA C is a stunning gentleman’s yacht for charter that opens cruising grounds other boats can only dream of. She recently completed an extensive refit in 2021 giving back her former glory from 1961. The yacht now calls Phuket home.

At 32M/105’ in length, CAMARA C offers accommodation for up to 12 guests in 6 suites. The bed configuration includes 1 king, 3 queen, 1 double, and 2 singles. Thanks to her unique floor plan allowing separation between the guests and the crew areas, you will benefit from great privacy during your charter journey. Find out more info here: https://www.fraseryachts.com/en/yacht