Travelsmartplanet

We were lucky enough to be invited to a Maori cultural group to mingle with women and children. We learned the craft of making instruments. And then we enjoyed singing along (with song sheets) with everyone from kids to their grandparents. All ages joined together to sing – and the kids knew all the words! People are wonderfully inviting all over the world.

In Asia dragons and teapots are very popular for centuries. At the Zealong Tea Estate sculpture garden you learn about oolong teas and teas around the world.

It was a surprise to us to learn that there were tea sages. Here’s a sculpture of Lu Yu who performed this work way back in 733-804. Since he lived to 71, unusual back in those days, perhaps the tea is anti-aging?

We got to “meet Bill Gates” at the Gates Foundation in Seattle, WA. Through talking screens, we learned about him and the problems he and his wife are trying to solve around the world. Fascinating.

Discover the beauty of sheep, the warmth of wool and the delicious taste of lamb during a fun-filled weekend at the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival, 45 years of celebrating all things sheep, from hoof to handwoven.

With over 275 vendors, more than 800 sheep, and workshops, food, and entertainment, there is something for everyone. Check out the working sheep dogs or sheep shearing demonstrations, learn how to prepare lamb, cheese making, take a spinning class, or shop for a variety of fleece, yarn and roving.

The Parade of Breeds will introduce you to a large variety of sheep breeds, and the Sheep to Shawl Contest will demonstrate shearing, carding, spinning, and weaving a final product in just a few hours.

There are auctions and sales for sheep equipment, fiber equipment, and fleeces. You can get many new ideas from the beautiful products on display from the many competitions.

With workshops and seminars galore, special activities for kids, cooking demonstrations, food booths, musical entertainment, this festival is going to be a hit with the whole family.

Location: Howard County Fairgrounds, 2210 Fairgrounds Rd, West Friendship, MD 21794-9604
Date: May 5 & 6, 2018
Time: Sat 8:30am – 6pm, Sun 8:30am – 5pm
Tel: 410- 531-3647
sheepandwool.org
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visithowardcounty.com

Venice Of America Lesson and Tour is a fun and easy way to learn how to stand up paddle board and experience a relaxing journey from Fort Lauderdale’s Barrier Island to the Riverfront in Las Olas with professional and friendly guide.

Look out for manatees as you paddle through  navigable inland waterways that make up New River, winding past the palatial estates, multi-million dollar luxury yachts, and natural areas of Fort Lauderdale’s intracoastal and river system.

The canals house mega yachts of the rich and famous which are docked at luxurious homes that can only be seen by river as many are inside gated communities.

These inland waterways with their waterfront homes earned Fort Lauderdale its reputation as the “Venice of America.”Glide your board from small wakes as yachts and boats pass, all while enjoying the beautiful Intracoastal Waterway system that stretches from Maine to Miami.

The Fort Lauderdale port hosts as many as 18 cruise ships a day, sailing from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale to marquee destinations throughout the Caribbean.

Paddling tours navigate different routes daily based upon current, wind conditions, and other variables to make the tour safe, fun, and inviting  for all ages. Along the tour their knowledgeable tour guide will answer questions while making your experience as easy and fun as possible.

Location: 2520 N. Federal Hwy., Ft Lauderdale, FL 33305
Dates & Time: Every Saturday at 10 AM
Tel: 954-440-4562
sunrisepaddleboards.com
For Regional accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: sunny.org

Presented by Henry Morrison Flagler Museum, the first museum exhibit devoted to the image of the World War I pilot-hero, Knights of the Air honors the daredevil pilots who risked everything for the cause at the dawn of aviation.

Imbued with a sense of adventure and fierce patriotism, aviators became the face of the War efforts back home. Works of art, souvenirs, postcards, and newspapers celebrated their valiant efforts. After the War, the romance of flight was embodied in new types of daring aviators, such as barnstorming aerial acrobats, air mail pilots, and bootleggers.

Popular pulp magazines such as George Bruce’s Squadron and Hollywood films like Wings (1927) capitalized on the appeal of the brave World War I aviator, inspiring many future pilots who would serve America in commercial aviation and future military conflicts.

Organized by the Flagler Museum in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of America’s entry into World War I in 1917, Knights of the Air features works of art, artifacts, and printed materials on loan from the private collection of Jean S. and Frederic A. Sharf, and other private and public collections.

Guided exhibition tours will be offered Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., beginning October 25. The exhibition and tours are free with Museum admission. The Flagler Museum will offer free Museum admission to active duty, reserve, and retired U.S. Military each Wednesday for the duration of the exhibition (proper identification required).

Illustrated Lecture
11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 11, 2017
Free with Museum Admission
Space is limited, reservations are required.

Join exhibition curator Janel Trull on Veteran’s Day for an illustrated lecture about Knights of the Air: Aviator Heroes of World War I, to learn about these heroic pilots and their lasting legacy.

Image: Collection of Jean S. and Frederic A. Sharf

Location: Henry Morrison Flagler Museum,One Whitehall Way
Palm Beach, FL 33480
Dates: until Dec 31, 2017
Hours: Sun – 12pm – 5pm, Tues – Sat – 10am – 5pm
Closed Mondays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
Tel: 561- 655-2833
flaglermuseum.us
For Regional accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: thepalmbeaches.com

Turn Baltimore’s Inner Harbor into a giant game board with this fun scavenger hunt adventure. What a fabulous, unique and entertaining way for the whole family to see the city.  This amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure combines the excitement of the Amazing Race with a three-hour city tour.

Guided from any smart phone, teams make their way among well known and overlooked gems of the city, solving clues and completing challenges while learning local history. The adventure begins in the Historic Inner Harbor and will take you on a journey along the water front, among museums and other historic buildings. You’ll explore interesting parts of Little Italy and see the location where the Star-Spangled Banner Flag was created.

This is an interactive tour, where your Smart Phone leads you on a fun and engaging walking tour of the city to complete challenges,  solve clues all while working together to unravel secrets of the city. Optional hints make sure that all teams can find a location or solve a challenge to move forward and earn points for correct answers.  See famous sights and hidden gems of the city while learning interesting facts and discovering unique history.

Mention promo code – Drivei95Blog to receive a 20% off discount.

Start: Outside the Maryland Science Center (Harbor side)
End: Star-Spangled Banner Flag House
Distance: 1.5 miles
Time: 2.5 – 3 hours
Challenges: 20
Bonuses: 4
Points of Interest: Inner Harbor, Maryland Science Center, USS Constellation , Baltimore WTC, Power Plant and Little Italy

Available 365 days a year, sunrise to sunset. Start when you want and play at your pace.

Start Location: Outside the Maryland Science Center (Harbor side), 601 Light Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
Date and Time: Daily, 10am – 7pm
Tel: 805-603-5620
urbanadventurequest.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: baltimore.org

The 2nd annual Clean Water PaddleFEST in Annapolis is to celebrate and bring awareness to clean up efforts in Spa Creek while enjoying a day full of fun.

Paddle at your own pace or take a guided on-water tour of Spa Creek. Guided tours available at 2pm. See educational stops along Spa Creek detailing conservation efforts which aim to make it again fishable and swimmable. Afterwards attend the Eco-Fest with informative exhibits from area environment groups with plenty of activities for kids.

All human powered paddlers and vessels are welcome to attend. Bring your own craft or use a stand up paddle board or kayak from Capital SUP. There will be a mass paddle and foot show of support for clean water in Spa Creek at 12 noon, on and in the water around the Spa Creek bridge.

Fun activities and prizes for all ages. Kid and dog friendly. All proceeds benefit Spa Creek Conservancy.

Your ticket includes:

On-water guided or self tour
Food BBQ beverages
Wine and beer
Event tee shirt
Admission to EcoFEST
Dry Bags to first 200 ticket holders
Live Music from 1-3pm

Location:Capital SUP on Spa Creek, 808 Boucher Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21403
Date: Sat, Sept 16, 2017
Time:  11  – 4pm
spacreek.net/index.php/events/special-events
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visitannapolis.org

Now in its 18th year, the Rhode Island Chinese Dragon Boat Races & Taiwan Day Festival is an extraordinary event for the whole family to enjoy.  Join the thousands of people who attend each year for exciting competition, family-fun, and a great opportunity to learn more about Chinese culture.

Racers continue to use the fiberglass Taiwanese-style dragon boats gifted to them from the Republic of China (Taiwan)  and incorporate the skill of flag-catching in each race.

The course length is 1,000 feet long up the Pawtucket River, with three boats racing at a time. A unique element to the races is the larger Taiwanese-style dragon boats, wood paddles, and the flag-catching in each race. If the flag is missed a penalty is added to their time.

Sanctioned by the Eastern Regional Dragon Boat Association, the RI Chinese Dragon Boat Races consist of two divisions: the Mixed Division, which requires a minimum of 6 female paddlers, and the Open Division that has no gender restrictions.

In addition to the exciting boat races, under the giant tent you will find Taiwan Day festivities with some top notch entertainment including  cultural performances, many art & crafts tables, and the ever-popular dumpling eating contest. The festival also has a great selection of vendors, interactive activities, and food trucks.

Don’t miss the great entertainment throughout the day including: