Travelsmartplanet

Thermal pits are common in the central area of the North Island of New Zealand. The Maori used them for cooking and bathing. How clever. 

In Whakerewarewa, New Zealand, the Maori way of life is preserved. The hot thermal mineral baths were an important part of their life. Here these hot thermal pools are designed for easy sitting, entry and exit. You can see the younger generation enjoys them too. This was the young lad who earlier jumped into the freezing water for visitors (see earlier Instagram) so it must have been especially yummy for him to soak in the warm water.

Situated around the center of the Northern Island of New Zealand is where you find remnants of the Maori lifestyle of hundreds of years. The area is lush with trees and waterways so it was easy for them to live here.

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France is celebrating 160th anniversary of diplomatic ties between France and Japan. Japonismes 2018: Les Ames en Resonance, will run through February 2019 involving exhibitions and events promoting Japanese art and design. Visual artist Kohei Nawa’s monumental sculpture “Throne” has one of the most prestigious spots in Paris: the Louvre. “I see the location as a connecting portal of modern lifestyles and the past, says Nawa, the Kyoto-based artist whose 10.4-meter-tall work is installed under I.M. Pei’s 1989 glass pyramid in the Louvre’s main courtyard.

The making of the throne itself involved both the past and the present. It was designed using state-of-the-art 3D modeling software and carved by robotic arms, however its gleaming gold leaf exterior was hand-applied by Japanese traditional craftspeople.

“The maximum capacity the pyramid can hold is 3 tons, so I told the museum I would ship a sculpture weighing exactly 3 tons,” says Nawa about the work’s creation. “I think they were bit worried, but after it went up, the Louvre’s curator, Martin Kiefer, told me the sculpture looks like it’s been at the pyramid all along.”

It’s not Nawa’s first “Throne” and it is different in that in previous iterations there was usually a small child seated within Nawa’s unique abstract shapes and geometric forms. For the Louvre, the seat is strikingly empty.

“Thrones are for kings. Here, the seat is for the authority that will eventually take over the control in the future. I left the seat empty to emphasize the invisibility,” says Nawa.

It sounds ominous, but Nawa goes on to explain that he foresees the type of power we see controlling today’s politics, economy and lifestyles as disappearing in the future, and in its place will be a very different form of authority. It could be artificial intelligence and advanced computer technology that will “take the throne,” he suggests, while we blindly follow, something that history has shown us that humans have had the tendency to do.

To us it is interesting that he chose a throne to be placed in this, the Palace of the Louvre, where French Kings sat on their thrones. Francis I chose this edifice as the residence for French kings and where it remained thus until good old King Louis XIV decided to move to Versailles and this building was then used to store his pretty things.

Tiny houses have become a huge thing, checkout the Mid-Atlantic Tiny House Expo and see why. It’s all about simpler living in a smaller, more efficient space.

Tiny house living is a social movement in which people decide to downsize the space they live in. It’s all about simpler living in a smaller, more efficient space. A typical tiny house is about 100 – 400 square feet, and come in all shapes and constructions. Building a tiny house costs significantly less than purchasing a traditional house, and are generally eco-friendly; reducing your impact on the environment and lowering energy costs.

Whether your curious or serious, attendees will be able to see the latest trends in tiny living.  Two action packed days, learning from builders, project experts and lifestyle authors at the educational conferences or panel discussions and meet other tiny house enthusiasts. See the latest in finished THOWS and shells, trailer frames, building materials, plans, products, furnishings and  appliances, and anything else you could possibly need or want to know about tiny houses. Parking FREE.
To buy tickets: tinyhouseexpos.com/tickets/#va-show-ticket-sales

If you can’t make this exhibition, there will be another one at: Howard County Fairgrounds, West Friendship, MD on October 6-7, 2018

Location: Fredericksburg Expo and Conference Center, 2371 Carl D. Silver Parkway
Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401
Date: May 12 – 13, 2018
Time: 10am – 5pm
Tel: 301-775-1363
tinyhouseexpos.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visitfred.com

Looking for a great night out while you are on route…this dinner theatre will fit the bill. At Newport Playhouse and Cabaret Restaurant you can enjoy a great buffet, an entertaining play and a fun-filled cabaret all under the same roof. The air conditioned, handicap accessible theatre is conveniently located at the foot of the Newport Bridge and has plenty of parking.

Their expansive buffet does not skimp on quality or selection. Feast on a large variety of hot and cold foods, main entrees, side dishes, beverages and homemade desserts and everything is prepared on the premises.  Alcohol is available table-side or at the bar.

After dinner stroll into the theater, where you have reserved seating,  for a delightful comedy. After the play, return to the dining room for a cabaret filled with songs and laughter.

Now Playing: The Crazy Time – A laugh-filled look at the joys and perils of May/December romances. Miles has left his wife Kate for a younger woman whose youthful lifestyle is both exciting and exhausting. Kate has found a way to deal with her loss. Throw in a daughter with her own marital problems and Miles’ scheming business partner Jerry, and you have all the makings of a full-fledged struggle between the sexes, as Kate and Miles deal with what they each have lost and gained.

You have the choice to purchase Dinner Theatre or Theatre only tickets. The Newport Playhouse and Cabaret gives you a lot of bang for your buck, a full night (or afternoon) of entertainment.

Location: Newport Playhouse and Cabaret Restaurant, 102 Connell Highway,
Newport, RI 02840
Dates: Thurs, Oct 12 – Sun, Nov 19, 2017
Times: Matinee or Evening depending on the day
Tel: 401-848-7529
newportplayhouse.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: goprovidence.com

Young girls love the Soffe line of casual athletic wear, but there’s apparel for everyone else here too. Soffe is an all-American lifestyle activewear brand that makes sizes for the entire family including; toddlers, girls, juveniles, youth, juniors, women, and men including big and tall. 

In solid colors, there’s varsity pants, jackets, hoodies, t-shirts, sweatshirts, running shorts, windbreakers, cheerleading clothing, ranger shorts and more.

It’s an  outlet store, so pricing can go from $1 pieces of clothing piled in giant cardboard boxes to $29.99 on the racks. If you’re  lucky you might arrive when they’ve opened the back warehouse room to the public. Then men, women and children might score their well-made clothing for the amazing price of $1-$3. Sandra loaded up the last time that she was there.

The Soffe juniors’ line has been strong in the brand’s cheer-leading apparel but has expanded to include  yoga, dance and running. Be sure to check out their performance wear, which features technical fabrics.

Their outstanding quality stems from their roots as a distributor to the military. This line is tough, durable and dependable, and it is designed to channel America’s original athlete: the soldier.

There’s another location in Smithfield at Exit 95 next door to JR,
49F Dr M.L.K. Jr. Way, Selma, NC 27576
919- 965-0062

Location: Soffe Outlet Store, 1005 Dunn Rd, Fayetteville 28312
Hours: Fayetteville: Mon – Sat 9:30 – 5:30, Sun – closed
Smithfield: Mon – Sat 10 – 6, Sun 12 – 6
Tel: 910-483-1776
soffe.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visitfayettevillenc.com

Decided it’s time to start looking and feeling better then this event is for you. On June 24, 2017, in Del Ray, Virginia (a neighborhood in Alexandria) “where Main Street still exists”, it’s the 4th Annual Well Ray Festival –  a community-wide effort to highlight resources for living healthily and happily.

Browse health and lifestyle inspired tents, take free exercise classes, and enjoy therapeutic massages, acupuncture, physical therapy consultations, chiropractic adjustments, nutritional counseling and blood pressure screenings. Check out wellness-inspired fashion from local fitness clothing designers, jewelers, and boutiques.

You will find the outdoor celebration of health and wellness at the following locations: the open field across from Mind the Mat Pilates & Yoga, the 2200 block of Mount Vernon Avenue will have Fitness Demos and classes (2213 Mt. Vernon Avenue), the Del Ray Farmer’s Market for Cooking and healthy bites,  and the adjacent parking lot beside it (behind United Bank 2401 Mt. Vernon Avenue) and then the Mt. Vernon Recreation Center (2701 Commonwealth Avenue) for vendors, exhibitors, wellness presentations and more.

Win prizes and make sure to bring your mat and be prepared to move.  Enjoy free yoga, Pilates, CrossFit, Spin, Barre and dance classes led by fitness, health, and wellness experts. So much fun and the whole family can get involved in a healthy lifestyle.

Last year’s SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

Location: Along Mount Vernon Avenue, Del Ray, VA
Date: Sat, June 24, 2017
Time: 9am – 1pm
Tel: 703-683-2228
wellraydelray.com
For Regional Accommodations, Restaurants & Attractions: visitalexandriava.com