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Thursday, April 25, 2019

Let's Test Your Travel Trivia! What is it?



Okay guys!  I'm giving you a hint.  I'm putting in a quick entry, just to see who knows what about some special places around the world.  So, 10 questions.  What is it?  That's the theme.  The answers come with it.

1. Question:  What is Shibuya!



Answer:  That's the world's busiest intersection in downtown Tokyo, Japan.  Shibuya Crossing is a landmark in Tokyo and a must see for visitors.  The crossing is so busy that no one really knows how many people use it each day.

https://en.japantravel.com/tokyo/shibuya-crossing/3016


2.  Question:  What is a Falkirk?



Answer:  The Falkirk is The Falkirk Wheel, and it's an elevator for boats.  Located in the town of Falkirk (also a correct answer here), Scotland; the wheel was designed to commemorate the millennium.  It opened in 2002, and connects two canals that are at vastly different elevations. 

https://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/falkirk-wheel/

3. Question:  What is Oymyakon?



Answer: Oymyakon is a village in the Yakut Republic of Siberia, and it is one of the coldest inhabited places on Earth.  Oymyakon is a primitive village by modern standards and is home to the Pole of Cold.  The Pole of Cold is the marker for the coldest temperatures in the northern hemisphere.

https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/climate-weather/photos/7-of-the-coldest-places-in-the-world-to-live/oymyakon-russia

4. Question:  What is Eldgja?




Answer:  The Eldgja is a designated area encompassing a giant volcanic fissure in  the southern highlands of Iceland.  It is the largest volcanic canyon in the world.  Home of some of the most beautiful scenery in the country and the famous Ofaerufoss Waterfall.  The waterfall used to have a basalt bridge naturally across it, but it collapsed just before I got there in the 1990's.  It's beautiful irregardless.

https://www.icelandtravel.is/attractions/eldgja/

5.  Question:  What is Batagay?



Answer:  The Batagay Crater lies in the far north of Siberia near the village of the same name.  It is a natural occurrence of melting permafrost, believed to be started by deforestation.  Currently, it is a harvesting ground for South Korean scientists looking to clone a Mammoth.  There are Mammoth carcasses surfacing on a regular basis in the crater, just waiting to help the cloning process.

http://siberiantimes.com/science/casestudy/news/n0678-200000-year-old-soil-found-at-mysterious-crater-a-gate-to-the-subterranean-world/

6.  Question:  What is ICP?



Answer:  The International Center of Photography.  This is the thing that I had to throw in from New York City.  I love New York.  This institute, museum and art gallery is located on the Bowery in Manhattan.  The exhibits are unique and it's a great way to spend some time off the beaten path in New York.

https://www.icp.org/

7.  Question: What is Manaslu?



Answer:  That's the 8th highest peak in the Himalayas.  Manaslu Mountain was first ascended by Toshio Imanishi and Gyalzen Norbu from Japan in 1956.  Therefore, the mountain has always been considered the Japanese Himalaya.

https://www.nepal.com/attractions/mountains/manaslu/

8.  Question:  What is Al-Fahidi?



Answer: Al-Fahidi Fortress is one of the few truly historical sites in Dubai.  It is a  historical site, history and art museum.  Perfect to offset all the modern wonders in the area.

https://www.inspirock.com/united-arab-emirates/dubai/al-fahidi-fort-a312149437?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Bing_Search_Attractions&msclkid=27d816016dc81a208d934ac088e9c659&ad_acc=ipar

9.  Question:  What is Cotopaxi?



Answer:  Cotopaxi Volcano is one of the highest volcanos in South America.  It lies south of Quito, Ecuador.  It last erupted in 1904, and is currently a great adventure spot.  There are several companies that take tours up the volcano.

https://www.summitpost.org/cotopaxi/150311

10.  Question:  What is Umoona?



Answer:  Umoona Mine and Museum is a must see if you stop in to the mostly underground town of Coober Pedy, Austraila.  Almost lost in the outback of Australia, Coober Pedy is a treasure trove of Opals and full of mines to retrieve them.  It is also one of the hottest places in Australia causing most of the locals to live and work in cave like dwelling to get out of the heat.

https://www.cooberpedy.com/umoona-opal-mine/

Travelers love the off the beaten path.  Hope you enjoyed the quiz.  Catch you when I get to wander a little more.  Enjoy!

https://www.inkitt.com/ninakindred/settings
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/721980
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/928833
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16665814.Terri_Dixon
https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B06Y1C2MS7
https://www.fictionpress.com/u/530752/Nina-Kindred
https://www.instagram.com/ninakindred1/
https://www.pinterest.com/ninakindred/
https://twitter.com/NinaKindred
https://www.cafepress.com/artisticcreationsbyninakindred1
https://www.zazzle.com/store/imagings
https://terri-dixon.pixels.com/
https://www.picfair.com/users/ninakindred/uploaded-recently
https://www.facebook.com/adventuresforanyone?fref=ts
https://ninakindred.wixsite.com/ninakindredgroup/connections

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Meeting Janet Evanovich



There comes a time in life when you realize that you just need to make time to do some things on that bucket list that's been knocking about your head.  A couple of years ago I had a bout with cancer and have been having some unsettling cells monitored ever since.  I've spent the bulk of my life working and the rest of my life raising a family and doing some light travel.  I decided recently, that there were some things that I wanted to do.  There were also some things that I didn't realize I wanted to do, but when they came up; I knew it was something that I couldn't pass up.  That was how I felt when I heard about Mark My Words, the author interview and discussion series at The Mark Twain House in Hartford, CT.  When I read that Janet Evanovich was going to be the author at last fall's session; I knew I had to go.






I have been a huge fan of Janet Evanovich for decades.  Look Alive Twenty Five was the book being released at the time of the event, and I couldn't wait to go.  The tickets were moderately priced and included a copy of the new book.  As luck would have it, no one could go with me that night.  That normally would make me rethink the event altogether.  I don't like to go to events alone.  I prefer to share them with someone dear to me.  But, this was the time that I didn't let that stop me.  I hopped in my car after work and took off for an evening of intellect, creativity, insight, and jokes.



The Mark Twain House is a landmark in Hartford, where the author spent several years living with his family.  There is also a museum there and the Harriet Beecher Stowe House is also on the property.  It's a classic property and the tours are great.  I particularly like the haunted tour that they do a few evenings a year.  It's worth checking into. 



It's the stunning Immanuel Congregational Church across the street where they have the Mark My Words series.  The church has cathedral like qualities and it worth a tour on its own.  The acoustics are fabulous though and made it easy to hear the discussion from anywhere in the sanctuary.  I sat off to the side, and saw every minute and heard every word.  It was a great event.



I was glad I decided to go for it that night.  Janet Evanovich is charming, elegant, and funny.  She gives honest answers to all questions.  She loves the characters she writes about almost as much as I do.  She gave great advice to all of us aspiring writers too.  But, the one thing that I wasn't aware of was that there was something else after the interview and discussion.



That's right, I got to meet her and she autographed my book.  We talked for a few minutes and I can tell you that I was thrilled.  She was happy to answer my questions, and made sure that I stayed to have my picture taken with her.  So, should you take a chance on a whim?  Yes.  Life is too short not to take the opportunity to meet some of you heroes.  Janet Evanovich is one of mine, and I hope to meet some more of my heroes before I go into that dark night.



After four long years, I have been cleared of all impending cancer issues in my body, and I'm feeling pretty good.  I like to think that my ambition to continue writing has something to do with that.  I'm sure that Janet Evanovich is one of the heroes that keeps me writing.  Take a chance at the last minute.  Do something great.  Enjoy!

https://www.inkitt.com/ninakindred
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/721980
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/928833
https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B06Y1C2MS7
https://www.fictionpress.com/u/530752/Nina-Kindred
https://www.cafepress.com/artisticcreationsbyninakindred1
https://www.zazzle.com/imagings
https://terri-dixon.pixels.com/
https://www.facebook.com/adventuresforanyone?fref=ts
https://marktwainhouse.org/
https://marktwainhouse.org/events/category/mark-my-words/
https://www.evanovich.com/
http://www.ctvisit.com/hartford
https://www.go-connecticut.com/Hartford/
https://www.visitconnecticut.com/hartford_central/visitor-information-centers/
http://www.ctvisit.com/experience/history
https://www.tripadvisor.com/SmartDeals-g33804-Hartford_Connecticut-Hotel-Deals.html
http://www.ctvisit.com/stay