Friday, August 31, 2018

Famous Female Divers: Valerie Taylor

Men may outnumber women in the scuba-diving community, but what we lack in quantity we make up for in quality. This series examines the remarkable achievements of famous female divers and the contributions that they’ve made to numerous fields, including science, technology and conservation. We begin with Valerie Taylor.

Valerie Taylor

Valerie Taylor was born in Sydney in 1935. She became involved in diving and spearfishing in her early 20s — she has now been diving for over 60 years. She actually met her late husband Ron through a spearfishing club. The couple quickly moved away from spearfishing and started building their own equipment for underwater photography and video.

In the 1960s they became interested in sharks more specifically. They were pioneers in this field, being the first ones to dive with great-white sharks without a cage, and soon started working on movies such as “Blue Water, White Death,” “Jaws,” and “The Blue Lagoon.”

They received criticism from the marine-conservation community for working on “Jaws” for contributing to a movie that has had such a gigantic negative impact on sharks’ image, but Valerie said at the time that the story was a just fiction and they did not expect the success, and therefore impact, to be that big.

The couple also used their imaging to produce renowned books about sharks such as Sharks: Silent Hunters of the Deep.

Still hard at work

Valerie Taylor was one of a handful of women in this field at the time and she reckons that this partly contributed to the couple’s fame. Sharks bit her on a few occasions but that never stopped her from diving with them. Today she is over 80 and still dives and travels to dive.

Valerie Taylor also put a lot of effort toward marine conservation early in her diving career, for which she received several awards including the Order of Australia in 2003. She is still very active in that area and despite saying that the oceans have changed a lot since she first started diving, she is hopeful that there is a way to turn the trend around, even though the underwater environment will never been the same as she knew it decades ago.

She was recently involved in the movie “Blue” and also published a children’s book last year, Melody the Mermaid. Valerie Taylor was, and still is, a true pioneer in the dive field.

 

The post Famous Female Divers: Valerie Taylor appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.



from Scuba Diver Life https://ift.tt/2NE4J8p

Famous Female Divers: Valerie Taylor

Men may outnumber women in the scuba-diving community, but what we lack in quantity we make up for in quality. This series examines the remarkable achievements of famous female divers and the contributions that they've made to numerous fields, including science, technology and conservation. We begin with Valerie Taylor.

Valerie Taylor

Valerie Taylor was born in Sydney in 1935. She became involved in diving and spearfishing in her early 20s — she has now been diving for over 60 years. She actually met her late husband Ron through a spearfishing club. The couple quickly moved away from spearfishing and started building their own equipment for underwater photography and video.

In the 1960s they became interested in sharks more specifically. They were pioneers in this field, being the first ones to dive with great-white sharks without a cage, and soon started working on movies such as "Blue Water, White Death," "Jaws," and "The Blue Lagoon."

They received criticism from the marine-conservation community for working on "Jaws" for contributing to a movie that has had such a gigantic negative impact on sharks' image, but Valerie said at the time that the story was a just fiction and they did not expect the success, and therefore impact, to be that big.

The couple also used their imaging to produce renowned books about sharks such as Sharks: Silent Hunters of the Deep.

Still hard at work

Valerie Taylor was one of a handful of women in this field at the time and she reckons that this partly contributed to the couple's fame. Sharks bit her on a few occasions but that never stopped her from diving with them. Today she is over 80 and still dives and travels to dive.

Valerie Taylor also put a lot of effort toward marine conservation early in her diving career, for which she received several awards including the Order of Australia in 2003. She is still very active in that area and despite saying that the oceans have changed a lot since she first started diving, she is hopeful that there is a way to turn the trend around, even though the underwater environment will never been the same as she knew it decades ago.

She was recently involved in the movie "Blue" and also published a children's book last year, Melody the Mermaid. Valerie Taylor was, and still is, a true pioneer in the dive field.

 

The post Famous Female Divers: Valerie Taylor appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.



from Scuba Diver Life https://ift.tt/2NE4J8p

Map: Where Americans are going for Labor Day Weekend?

Las Vegas and Chicago top the list of Labor Day weekend destinations this year, according to Priceline.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM https://ift.tt/2LJAN8M

11 hotel revenue management terms explained

Conversion. RevPAR. GOPPAR. If you're still getting to grips with promoting your property online, the number of technical-sounding terms can be off-putting.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM https://ift.tt/2ooqIoH

How Hilton fights disruption to safeguard its future

Applying new rules to old tools isn't good enough. You're goal is to make your existing solutions obsolete.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM https://ift.tt/2wuc1nu

Can you increase your hotel room rates in 2019?

Google produces 500 million results when asked 'Is travel getting more expensive?'. Unsurprisingly, the first 10 results are solely dedicated to the price of flights.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM https://ift.tt/2Naddak

Guestline, Duetto announce technology partnership

The seamless integration enables users of both solutions to optimise on pricing, better manage inventory and segmentation, implement personalised offers and streamline the reporting process.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM https://ift.tt/2wBDmEi

China’s big 5 hotel platforms have 96% of the market

Analysis of China's online hotel booking market in the second quarter of the year shows that almost the entire market is controlled by five businesses.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM https://ift.tt/2NGlqQc

Chinese hotel chain warns of massive customer data theft

China's largest hotel chain is investigating an apparent data theft that is said to involve as many as half a billion pieces of information.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM https://ift.tt/2wrfq7u

CWT renews Amadeus & Sabre contracts

Both deals will see the corporate travel agent work with both GDSs in developing and implementing the new Iata NDC standard.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM https://ift.tt/2NAM3WZ

Thursday, August 30, 2018

Keeping Color in Your Underwater Images

Like all types of art, underwater photography is subjective. Some like the natural blue tones found in ambient or natural light photography. In contrast, others prefer bringing out the amazing colors found on delicate soft corals and sponges illuminated by artificial light. Whatever your preference, understanding how best to achieve your desired outcome will save you precious time while diving in search of perfect underwater images.

In this video, I lay out several techniques that I use to achieve the super-colorful look. While this is not my preferred style of photography, I do occasionally use these techniques to achieve what I like to call the “scuba magazine” look. This look includes vibrant, rich, colors framed in a deep blue background. And the good news is, it’s super easy.

By guest author Jason Washington

Jason Washington is the managing director of iDive Global Ltd. and the co-owner of Ambassador Divers, a PADI Five Star facility located at the Comfort Suites Resort on Seven Mile Beach. Jason has lived and worked on Grand Cayman as an underwater photographer/scuba instructor for the past 22 years. His work has appeared in numerous documentaries and feature films. He was a 2017 honoree of International SCUBA Diving Hall of Fame. Follow @CaymanJason on Instagram for more underwater photography tips and tricks.

The post Keeping Color in Your Underwater Images appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.



from Scuba Diver Life https://ift.tt/2N4wFVQ

Keeping Color in Your Underwater Images

Like all types of art, underwater photography is subjective. Some like the natural blue tones found in ambient or natural light photography. In contrast, others prefer bringing out the amazing colors found on delicate soft corals and sponges illuminated by artificial light. Whatever your preference, understanding how best to achieve your desired outcome will save you precious time while diving in search of perfect underwater images.

In this video, I lay out several techniques that I use to achieve the super-colorful look. While this is not my preferred style of photography, I do occasionally use these techniques to achieve what I like to call the "scuba magazine" look. This look includes vibrant, rich, colors framed in a deep blue background. And the good news is, it's super easy.

By guest author Jason Washington

Jason Washington is the managing director of iDive Global Ltd. and the co-owner of Ambassador Divers, a PADI Five Star facility located at the Comfort Suites Resort on Seven Mile Beach. Jason has lived and worked on Grand Cayman as an underwater photographer/scuba instructor for the past 22 years. His work has appeared in numerous documentaries and feature films. He was a 2017 honoree of International SCUBA Diving Hall of Fame. Follow @CaymanJason on Instagram for more underwater photography tips and tricks.

The post Keeping Color in Your Underwater Images appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.



from Scuba Diver Life https://ift.tt/2N4wFVQ

Download: The U.S. hotel website handbook

Which guests are they charming? Who are they leaving out in the cold? And which states are leading the way when it comes to driving direct bookings?

from HOTELMARKETING.COM https://ift.tt/2PjSgH3

DHISCO secures PCI Certification and GDPR compliance

Being PCI and GDPR compliant reinstates DHISCO's commitment to providing the highest levels of information security to its customers.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM https://ift.tt/2om68oR

Overtourism: How much did technology help get us there?

Too many visitors are altering the character of historic cities. What's to blame? In addition to broad prosperity, there's technology, defined very broadly.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM https://ift.tt/2opOpNb

Uber CEO reflects on one year at the company

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi doesn't believe in regrets, but as he looks back on his first year leading the company, he sees one thing he'd like to have changed more quickly.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM https://ift.tt/2ooktkK

Miki Travel invests in online booking systems for groups

Miki Travel recently invested in two online booking systems to facilitate ease of doing business and enhance confirmation speed.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM https://ift.tt/2PjTiD1

EDreams ODIGEO profits drop during Q1

European OTA eDreams ODIGEO suffered a drop in profits during the three months to June 30. Adjusted net income fell by 6% year-on-year to €5.7 million.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM https://ift.tt/2onFETO

McDonald’s sees daily app usage jump 20%-40%

McDonald's is making a big bet on mobile commerce with the expansion of delivery service to all its U.S. restaurants and in-app payment and ordering.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM https://ift.tt/2PmcMqN

Facebook Watch on-demand video platform launches globally

Facebook Watch, the social network's home to original video content and answer to YouTube, is now becoming available worldwide.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM https://ift.tt/2olQOIL

Wednesday, August 29, 2018

Buying Tech Diving Equipment: What, When and How

Buying new dive gear is exciting for any diver, no matter their certification level. It's no different for new techies but buying tech diving equipment can be a bit bewildering. Here's our guide on what to buy and when.

Before certification

The journey into technical diving starts like that into recreational diving — with a series of courses. Depending on the tech-training agency, prerequisites usually include a minimum number of dives, which means tech students have usually been recreational divers for a while. As a consequence, many already own some gear. As you progress, it's worth considering which pieces will remain useful on your tech journey.

What you need for your tech courses depends on where you take them. Many tech centers and instructors offer equipment rental for students. Whether or not a tech center includes equipment rental in the cost of the course varies from school to school.

Shopping before certification is really only for those divers who are absolutely sure that tech diving is for them. They should also know which direction they want to go: twins/doubles or sidemount? Warm or cold water? Are rebreathers a budding interest? The answers to these questions will determine what you need.

Buying the basics

No matter the configuration, you may already own the basics. These include an exposure suit, a well-fitting mask, fins and a dive computer. Whether or not your current exposure suit is enough for your future technical dives again depends on where you are. In tropical locations, a 5mm wetsuit may be enough. If you intend to dive anywhere else, a drysuit might work better since tech dives tend to be longer. As a tech diver you'll also need a back-up mask. This is no place to penny-pinch — using your back-up mask indicates some sort of emergency or problem with your main mask.

Technical diving skills include precision finning techniques, and short, sturdy fins are much better for this task than longer fins. Anyone who's ever tried back-kicking in split fins will understand that not all fins are the same. However, most fins will take you through your tech diving course.

Tech-friendly computers

Computers suitable for technical diving are a topic long enough for a separate article and then some. Many modern recreational dive computers let users program and switch between multiple gases during the dive. The main difference lies in whether or not manufacturers have programmed the computer for intentional decompression diving. All recreational computers currently on the market will provide divers with an emergency decompression plan in case they exceed no decompression limits.

If you are planning to tech dive regularly, you need a computer that's made for the job and equipped with current algorithms suitable for technical diving. Talk to your tech instructor about their recommendation and consider buying a computer that will grow with your diving. You may want to dive trimix, for example, or use the computer as a backup for CCR dives. What about your current computer? You'll need to get a backup for your primary tech-diving computer and, as long as your current computer has a gauge mode function, it can help get you started as your backup depth gauge and timer.

Now that you're qualified

Let's assume you've successfully completed your initial levels of tech training and are ready to set out on twinset dives. You'll need a backplate, harness and wing, plus a set of two regulators.

If you've already been diving a similar combination regularly, all you need to invest in is a larger wing, an additional first stage and various other bits and pieces for your regulators. If this is a complete change of equipment, your choices include steel (heavy) versus aluminum backplates or even carbon-fiber versions. Wings come in either donut or horseshoe shapes and have single or dual bladders. What you need will depend on the types of cylinders you use (steel or aluminum) and which options you have for backup buoyancy, such as a drysuit and personal preference. Ideally, try a few different types before you decide to buy.

Regulators are another item that would fill more than one blog post on its own. Your back-gas regulators need to be high-performance as you'll rely on them at depth, breathing a denser gas mixture than what you are used to as a recreational diver. If you dive or live in a remote location, it's also important to buy a brand that you can easily have fixed.

You'll be carrying some gas tanks just for your decompression obligations. For these tanks, you regulators must be 'oxygen-clean.' This means they must be prepared to come in contact with gas mixes that have a high oxygen content. You must specify this when buying your own regulator and when you take it in for service.

And then there are accessories. This list is incomplete, and you'll add to your own collection based on location, types of dives and other changes. Tech shorts are very useful if you don't already have pockets on your suit for stowing these accessories. You'll need a backup mask, two SMBs or liftbags with reels long enough to suit your dive, bolt snaps to attach them, a wet notebook, dive lights — the list goes on.

Once you're truly committed

Depending on how much you like tech diving and what facilities are available locally, you might even invest in your own tanks. Having said that, there are plenty of well-equipped dive shops at tech hotspots around the world, more than able to cater to the needs of newly qualified and seasoned technical divers as well.

So, while your collection of diving equipment will definitely grow as a tech diver, you needn't start investing before you even start tech diving. Talk to your instructor and get recommendations. Talk to seasoned tech divers and ask for advice. Generally speaking, having your own tech-diving computer is a good initial step. After that, much depends on the type of tech diving you really want to pursue.

The post Buying Tech Diving Equipment: What, When and How appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.



from Scuba Diver Life https://ift.tt/2MXIzRg

Buying Tech Diving Equipment: What, When and How

Buying new dive gear is exciting for any diver, no matter their certification level. It’s no different for new techies but buying tech diving equipment can be a bit bewildering. Here’s our guide on what to buy and when.

Before certification

The journey into technical diving starts like that into recreational diving — with a series of courses. Depending on the tech-training agency, prerequisites usually include a minimum number of dives, which means tech students have usually been recreational divers for a while. As a consequence, many already own some gear. As you progress, it’s worth considering which pieces will remain useful on your tech journey.

What you need for your tech courses depends on where you take them. Many tech centers and instructors offer equipment rental for students. Whether or not a tech center includes equipment rental in the cost of the course varies from school to school.

Shopping before certification is really only for those divers who are absolutely sure that tech diving is for them. They should also know which direction they want to go: twins/doubles or sidemount? Warm or cold water? Are rebreathers a budding interest? The answers to these questions will determine what you need.

Buying the basics

No matter the configuration, you may already own the basics. These include an exposure suit, a well-fitting mask, fins and a dive computer. Whether or not your current exposure suit is enough for your future technical dives again depends on where you are. In tropical locations, a 5mm wetsuit may be enough. If you intend to dive anywhere else, a drysuit might work better since tech dives tend to be longer. As a tech diver you’ll also need a back-up mask. This is no place to penny-pinch — using your back-up mask indicates some sort of emergency or problem with your main mask.

Technical diving skills include precision finning techniques, and short, sturdy fins are much better for this task than longer fins. Anyone who’s ever tried back-kicking in split fins will understand that not all fins are the same. However, most fins will take you through your tech diving course.

Tech-friendly computers

Computers suitable for technical diving are a topic long enough for a separate article and then some. Many modern recreational dive computers let users program and switch between multiple gases during the dive. The main difference lies in whether or not manufacturers have programmed the computer for intentional decompression diving. All recreational computers currently on the market will provide divers with an emergency decompression plan in case they exceed no decompression limits.

If you are planning to tech dive regularly, you need a computer that’s made for the job and equipped with current algorithms suitable for technical diving. Talk to your tech instructor about their recommendation and consider buying a computer that will grow with your diving. You may want to dive trimix, for example, or use the computer as a backup for CCR dives. What about your current computer? You’ll need to get a backup for your primary tech-diving computer and, as long as your current computer has a gauge mode function, it can help get you started as your backup depth gauge and timer.

Now that you’re qualified

Let’s assume you’ve successfully completed your initial levels of tech training and are ready to set out on twinset dives. You’ll need a backplate, harness and wing, plus a set of two regulators.

If you’ve already been diving a similar combination regularly, all you need to invest in is a larger wing, an additional first stage and various other bits and pieces for your regulators. If this is a complete change of equipment, your choices include steel (heavy) versus aluminum backplates or even carbon-fiber versions. Wings come in either donut or horseshoe shapes and have single or dual bladders. What you need will depend on the types of cylinders you use (steel or aluminum) and which options you have for backup buoyancy, such as a drysuit and personal preference. Ideally, try a few different types before you decide to buy.

Regulators are another item that would fill more than one blog post on its own. Your back-gas regulators need to be high-performance as you’ll rely on them at depth, breathing a denser gas mixture than what you are used to as a recreational diver. If you dive or live in a remote location, it’s also important to buy a brand that you can easily have fixed.

You’ll be carrying some gas tanks just for your decompression obligations. For these tanks, you regulators must be ‘oxygen-clean.’ This means they must be prepared to come in contact with gas mixes that have a high oxygen content. You must specify this when buying your own regulator and when you take it in for service.

And then there are accessories. This list is incomplete, and you’ll add to your own collection based on location, types of dives and other changes. Tech shorts are very useful if you don’t already have pockets on your suit for stowing these accessories. You’ll need a backup mask, two SMBs or liftbags with reels long enough to suit your dive, bolt snaps to attach them, a wet notebook, dive lights — the list goes on.

Once you’re truly committed

Depending on how much you like tech diving and what facilities are available locally, you might even invest in your own tanks. Having said that, there are plenty of well-equipped dive shops at tech hotspots around the world, more than able to cater to the needs of newly qualified and seasoned technical divers as well.

So, while your collection of diving equipment will definitely grow as a tech diver, you needn’t start investing before you even start tech diving. Talk to your instructor and get recommendations. Talk to seasoned tech divers and ask for advice. Generally speaking, having your own tech-diving computer is a good initial step. After that, much depends on the type of tech diving you really want to pursue.

The post Buying Tech Diving Equipment: What, When and How appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.



from Scuba Diver Life https://ift.tt/2MXIzRg

4 Tips for a More Eco-Friendly Home

It's great how more and more people are becoming environmentally conscious these days. Contribute to the efforts by deciding to try the following tips:

4 Tips for a More Eco-Friendly HomePhoto by adriana carles on Unsplash

Choose your carpet wisely

Natural materials don't guarantee healthy carpet – be sure you're not buying a seemingly eco-friendly carpet that has actually been treated with insect or flame repellents. Conventionally-produced wool can also have a heavy environmental impact due to the pesticide baths used to control parasites on sheep. And some of the worst off-gassing can be caused by a culprit you may not expect: the carpet backing.

When buying eco-friendly carpet backing or pads, look for natural materials like non-synthetic latex, untreated wool or camel hair felt. Carpet backings that are sewn on or glued using natural, non-toxic adhesives are healthier choices than those using adhesives that off-gas VOCs. Source: MNN

Always run a full load

A single load of laundry that is washed and dried at the highest heat setting produces 7.27 pounds of CO2, so it is imperative not to waste your loads by running them when they are half full. You can also cut back on your emissions by using the cold setting and drying clothes on a line. The same principle applies to washing dishes. Instead of steaming them dry, consider skipping that step and either drying them by hand or allowing them to air dry. Yes, you might have more streaks or spots on your dishes, but you will also have a lower carbon footprint. Source: LifeHack

Opt for reusable items

Ditch disposable razors for reusable ones. Swap plastic cups and paper plates for ceramic ones. Choose reusable food containers over plastic wrap. Choose rechargeable batteries over the conventional single-use kind. Source: WebMD

Use power strips

Don't just get and use them—flip them off whenever you're done using the things that are plugged in. Everything from TVs to phone chargers can act as "vampire appliances," leeching energy while not in use. Source: ArchitecturalDigest

Want your old carpet to look new? Or perhaps, it's time to replace your carpet and you're now looking to have a more eco-friendly option installed? We can help you out! Call us today.

The post 4 Tips for a More Eco-Friendly Home appeared first on Curlys Carpet Repair.



from Curlys Carpet Repair https://ift.tt/2oi3Nvb

4 Tips for a More Eco-Friendly Home

It’s great how more and more people are becoming environmentally conscious these days. Contribute to the efforts by deciding to try the following tips:

4 Tips for a More Eco-Friendly HomePhoto by adriana carles on Unsplash

Choose your carpet wisely

Natural materials don’t guarantee healthy carpet – be sure you’re not buying a seemingly eco-friendly carpet that has actually been treated with insect or flame repellents. Conventionally-produced wool can also have a heavy environmental impact due to the pesticide baths used to control parasites on sheep. And some of the worst off-gassing can be caused by a culprit you may not expect: the carpet backing.

When buying eco-friendly carpet backing or pads, look for natural materials like non-synthetic latex, untreated wool or camel hair felt. Carpet backings that are sewn on or glued using natural, non-toxic adhesives are healthier choices than those using adhesives that off-gas VOCs. Source: MNN

Always run a full load

A single load of laundry that is washed and dried at the highest heat setting produces 7.27 pounds of CO2, so it is imperative not to waste your loads by running them when they are half full. You can also cut back on your emissions by using the cold setting and drying clothes on a line. The same principle applies to washing dishes. Instead of steaming them dry, consider skipping that step and either drying them by hand or allowing them to air dry. Yes, you might have more streaks or spots on your dishes, but you will also have a lower carbon footprint. Source: LifeHack

Opt for reusable items

Ditch disposable razors for reusable ones. Swap plastic cups and paper plates for ceramic ones. Choose reusable food containers over plastic wrap. Choose rechargeable batteries over the conventional single-use kind. Source: WebMD

Use power strips

Don’t just get and use them—flip them off whenever you’re done using the things that are plugged in. Everything from TVs to phone chargers can act as “vampire appliances,” leeching energy while not in use. Source: ArchitecturalDigest

Want your old carpet to look new? Or perhaps, it’s time to replace your carpet and you’re now looking to have a more eco-friendly option installed? We can help you out! Call us today.

The post 4 Tips for a More Eco-Friendly Home appeared first on Curlys Carpet Repair.



from Curlys Carpet Repair https://ift.tt/2oi3Nvb

What the launch of the Business Travel Performance Index could mean for hotels

With so many booking channels available today, corporate travelers aren't always using the appropriate channels when choosing accommodations for business travel.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM https://ift.tt/2MFSmfC

OTAs breaking away from performance marketing addiction

Although the trend started to take shape earlier, in the second quarter five OTAs - headquartered in the United States, India and Argentina - all shrunk their marketing spend as a percentage of revenue.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM https://ift.tt/2LCrBD9

How hotels can take advantage of Instagram business profiles

To maximize the potential success of Instagram marketing, you need to switch your hotel's Instagram account into a business profile.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM https://ift.tt/2PNDn0T

Google tool gauges ads by overall strength

Marketers can now better gauge the effectiveness of their advertising with a metric from Google that judges ad content by quality, relevance and diversity.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM https://ift.tt/2LBnZRV

The top 5 things you need to know now in hotel digital marketing: August edition

The latest digital innovations this month include big announcements from Google, new Pinterest video opportunities, and geometrical shapes making a statement in website design for lifestyle brands.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM https://ift.tt/2BVS7Ik

What’s driving loyalty in the hospitality industry

Jerry LoProto of the Best Western Plus Hawthorne Terrace sits down with Sojern to discuss with what's driving loyalty in the hospitality industry.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM https://ift.tt/2PMjneU

Hotel Distribution: How rate parity is evolving

Typically, hotels had a different strategy for each channel - for GDSs, OTAs, wholesalers, corporate booking tools, and TMCs - today these are merging as the industry is becomes more agnostic.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM https://ift.tt/2woymUx

PwC suggests sustained momentum for US lodging sector through 2019

Strong economic indicators in Q2, coupled with accelerating group demand, suggests sustained momentum for the lodging sector through 2019.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM https://ift.tt/2PgwFiJ

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Camping in New Zealand’s snowy Alps in the winter

There's a lot to be said about those adventures that don't really have a point. Adventure for the sake of adventure.

You know the ones. The hikes that have no destination. The camping trips that have no agenda. No peaks to climb. No cutoff times to make. Just going outside, solely for the pure joy of it.

It's easy to get caught up in adventure goals, to have a list a mile long of things to accomplish but often I find when I'm stressed or super busy, I tend to crave a simple adventure. One that doesn't take much planning or scouting. Walking for as long as I want and resting when I feel like it.

In the midst of a chaotic winter in New Zealand, a low-maintenance trip was just what the doctor ordered. Luckily Crystal Brindle (who you might remember wrote for us about living with the birds in Fiordland) is always down for an adventure.

We're constantly asked for tips on gear and preparing for outdoor adventures in New Zealand, even winter camping, so I've begun working with Backcountry.com, my go to resource for getting everything I need for my activities, and you'll find some of our best winter camping gear tips and tricks below. Enjoy!

winter camping

winter camping

For this trip, a quick look at the topographic maps and picking a location that was new to us was about as far as we went with scouting a place to go. We had a rough idea of where we were going but we wanted to camp meaning we wouldn't be stressed about getting to a hut in time to secure a bunk bed.

We ended up picking the barren brown hills of Central Otago for our weekend getaway, despite the fresh dump of snow received a few days before.

We were all prepared to camp and I was secretly looking forward to my first winter backcountry camping adventure. For a country that doesn't get that cold, I've been looking for an excuse to bust out my super-duper warm camp gear, and this trip turned out to be just the ticket.

winter camping

winter camping

For this trip, I was breaking in my new Marmot Lithium Sleeping Bag (rated to -18f!!) and my Hyperlite Backpack I picked up from Backcountry recently, my go-to adventure gear site.

I was so excited to use this backpack finally because it weighs practically nothing, allowing me to even out the inevitable heaviness of the winter camping gear I'd be carrying.

I was also decked out in all of my warm layers because I knew as sun as the sun dropped, it'd be freezing. My Marmot Featherless Hoody and I are inseparable in the winter.

It's perfect for adventures because it folds up into its own pocket and despite not being down, it's rated to be as warm as a 700 fill down jacket.

winter camping

Marmot Featherless Hoody

winter camping

Hyperlite Backpack

winter camping

Marmot Lithium Sleeping Bag

We started mid-morning up a lazy 4WD farm track. Central Otago is all rolling mellow hills and mountains, straight out of a Grahame Sydney painting. Rural South Island New Zealand at its finest.

Despite the single-digit temperatures, it was a magically clear day and we were soon basking in the warmth of the sun.

We weren't sure what we would find in the high terrain so we prepared and packed our crampons and ice axes, making sure we were ready for whatever might great us at the top of these gentle giant mountains.

winter camping

winter camping

The track was easy but the uphill slog was relentless.

When camping in the winter, it's essential to have enough gear to keep you warm. Although we were sweating in the sun down low, we knew we'd be in for a freezing night up high. Crampons, ice axes, heavy warm boots, tents, winter sleeping bags, layers and layers of clothes.

New Zealand Mountain Safety Council Plan My Trip is a great tool for the backcountry here

Everything had to be trudged up the hill and I had never been as happy to finally have a Hyperlite Backpacking bag, weighing in at only 800 grams. It made carrying my other winter gear much more pleasant.

winter camping

winter camping

I don't know how long we walked for. A few hours perhaps.

We didn't keep track and we really didn't care. We were happy to plod along, breathing in the fresh air and taking in the new sites.

As we neared the top of the range, we eyed up the trail before us. Deciding we weren't going to get a much better view, we settled on the peak we were on, an un-named and modest plateau-like mountaintop, 1,700m high. Yes, it was covered in a few feet of snow but it was hardpacked and flat and offered the best views of the valley.

Lake Ohau, Lake Pukaki, and even the towering Mount Cook was in our skyline. This is definitely an underrated part of New Zealand by tourists.

And the best part is that we had it all to ourselves.

winter camping

winter camping

MSR Access 2 Tent: 2-Person 4-Season is perfect for winter camping

As we set up camp, we quickly realized the tent pegs we normally use wouldn't do us much good in deep snow but luckily our ice axes substituted just fine as anchors to hold down our temporary home for the night.

With our tent set up, we got straight on the Jet Boil, making sure we stayed warm before the sun dropped below the hills. This is our go-to tool for quickly boiling water for our food and drinks when on missions in the hills.

Also, pro tip, the Jet Boil coffee press has truly changed my life. No more instant coffee in the hills. It's my go-to for quick coffee, delicious coffee without sacrificing weight.

winter camping

winter camping

Sunset is always a chaotic time for anyone into photography.

Sure, golden hour technically lasts a full 60 minutes but in reality, there are only 10 minutes of truly magnificent light in which to get your shot. Because of this, I was running around like a madman, sprinting from one side of the mountain to the other, trying to get every angle for the best possible shot.

When the last light faded away behind the layers of barren mountains, we were treated to a few more minutes of a light show on Mt. Cook, the last mountain in the area to see the light.

winter camping

winter camping

With a bottle of wine and a bottle of chocolate to share, we huddled into the tent but left the door open, continuing our entertainment. There we sat quietly, sipping our wine and counting the shoot stars, which were abundant and visible on a perfectly still and clear night.

Finally, our eyelids began to droop and we settled into bed.

It was merely 8 pm but such is the way when you live by nature's clock. The weather forecast looked calm and still for the night so we opted to leave the door open.

Again, I was so grateful to have my Marmot Lithium sleeping bag, which is rated down to -18c. I felt like I was snuggled up next to the fire and I knew it would be hard to leave my cocoon of warmth in the morning.

winter camping

winter camping

I woke up just as the sky was lightening and in a rare move for me, I sprang to my feet, took off my warm camp booties and pulled on my frozen boots.

The sky was pastel pink and my friends were already up and enjoying the rising sun. Again, I spent the next 15 minutes frantically taking photos, trying to capture forever the magic that I was experiencing in real life.

With frozen digits, we managed to melt enough snow to cook breakfast and make coffee. Even the water in our hydration reservoirs had completely frozen solid. Before we knew it, our camp was packed up and we were bidding this special area farewell for now.

winter camping

We sauntered back down the mountain, laughing when one of us would hit a patch of soft snow, sinking to our mid-thigh and before long we were back in the lowlands, feeling the warm sun on our faces and feeling like the cold summit morning was already a world away.

How nice it was to get away from life for a bit in our own backyard, a seemingly endless playground to explore. It was a good reminder that not every adventure needs to be hardcore or militantly planned and that good trips are defined by the people you're with and the mindset you have going into them.

Oh, and wine. Lots and lots of wine.

Are you a fan of camping? Would you go on a winter adventure too? Share!

Use offer code LIZC15 for 15% off your first order at Backcountry until the end of September

winter camping

Many thanks to Backcountry.com for supporting us on our adventures. Note: some of these links are affiliate links. Like always, we're keeping it real. All opinions are our own, like you could expect less from us!

The post Camping in New Zealand's snowy Alps in the winter appeared first on Young Adventuress.



from Young Adventuress https://ift.tt/2okWcfo

Camping in New Zealand’s snowy Alps in the winter

There’s a lot to be said about those adventures that don’t really have a point. Adventure for the sake of adventure.

You know the ones. The hikes that have no destination. The camping trips that have no agenda. No peaks to climb. No cutoff times to make. Just going outside, solely for the pure joy of it.

It’s easy to get caught up in adventure goals, to have a list a mile long of things to accomplish but often I find when I’m stressed or super busy, I tend to crave a simple adventure. One that doesn’t take much planning or scouting. Walking for as long as I want and resting when I feel like it.

In the midst of a chaotic winter in New Zealand, a low-maintenance trip was just what the doctor ordered. Luckily Crystal Brindle (who you might remember wrote for us about living with the birds in Fiordland) is always down for an adventure.

We’re constantly asked for tips on gear and preparing for outdoor adventures in New Zealand, even winter camping, so I’ve begun working with Backcountry.com, my go to resource for getting everything I need for my activities, and you’ll find some of our best winter camping gear tips and tricks below. Enjoy!

winter camping

winter camping

For this trip, a quick look at the topographic maps and picking a location that was new to us was about as far as we went with scouting a place to go. We had a rough idea of where we were going but we wanted to camp meaning we wouldn’t be stressed about getting to a hut in time to secure a bunk bed.

We ended up picking the barren brown hills of Central Otago for our weekend getaway, despite the fresh dump of snow received a few days before.

We were all prepared to camp and I was secretly looking forward to my first winter backcountry camping adventure. For a country that doesn’t get that cold, I’ve been looking for an excuse to bust out my super-duper warm camp gear, and this trip turned out to be just the ticket.

winter camping

winter camping

For this trip, I was breaking in my new Marmot Lithium Sleeping Bag (rated to -18f!!) and my Hyperlite Backpack I picked up from Backcountry recently, my go-to adventure gear site.

I was so excited to use this backpack finally because it weighs practically nothing, allowing me to even out the inevitable heaviness of the winter camping gear I’d be carrying.

I was also decked out in all of my warm layers because I knew as sun as the sun dropped, it’d be freezing. My Marmot Featherless Hoody and I are inseparable in the winter.

It’s perfect for adventures because it folds up into its own pocket and despite not being down, it’s rated to be as warm as a 700 fill down jacket.

winter camping

Marmot Featherless Hoody

winter camping

Hyperlite Backpack

winter camping

Marmot Lithium Sleeping Bag

We started mid-morning up a lazy 4WD farm track. Central Otago is all rolling mellow hills and mountains, straight out of a Grahame Sydney painting. Rural South Island New Zealand at its finest.

Despite the single-digit temperatures, it was a magically clear day and we were soon basking in the warmth of the sun.

We weren’t sure what we would find in the high terrain so we prepared and packed our crampons and ice axes, making sure we were ready for whatever might great us at the top of these gentle giant mountains.

winter camping

winter camping

The track was easy but the uphill slog was relentless.

When camping in the winter, it’s essential to have enough gear to keep you warm. Although we were sweating in the sun down low, we knew we’d be in for a freezing night up high. Crampons, ice axes, heavy warm boots, tents, winter sleeping bags, layers and layers of clothes.

New Zealand Mountain Safety Council Plan My Trip is a great tool for the backcountry here

Everything had to be trudged up the hill and I had never been as happy to finally have a Hyperlite Backpacking bag, weighing in at only 800 grams. It made carrying my other winter gear much more pleasant.

winter camping

winter camping

I don’t know how long we walked for. A few hours perhaps.

We didn’t keep track and we really didn’t care. We were happy to plod along, breathing in the fresh air and taking in the new sites.

As we neared the top of the range, we eyed up the trail before us. Deciding we weren’t going to get a much better view, we settled on the peak we were on, an un-named and modest plateau-like mountaintop, 1,700m high. Yes, it was covered in a few feet of snow but it was hardpacked and flat and offered the best views of the valley.

Lake Ohau, Lake Pukaki, and even the towering Mount Cook was in our skyline. This is definitely an underrated part of New Zealand by tourists.

And the best part is that we had it all to ourselves.

winter camping

winter camping

MSR Access 2 Tent: 2-Person 4-Season is perfect for winter camping

As we set up camp, we quickly realized the tent pegs we normally use wouldn’t do us much good in deep snow but luckily our ice axes substituted just fine as anchors to hold down our temporary home for the night.

With our tent set up, we got straight on the Jet Boil, making sure we stayed warm before the sun dropped below the hills. This is our go-to tool for quickly boiling water for our food and drinks when on missions in the hills.

Also, pro tip, the Jet Boil coffee press has truly changed my life. No more instant coffee in the hills. It’s my go-to for quick coffee, delicious coffee without sacrificing weight.

winter camping

winter camping

Sunset is always a chaotic time for anyone into photography.

Sure, golden hour technically lasts a full 60 minutes but in reality, there are only 10 minutes of truly magnificent light in which to get your shot. Because of this, I was running around like a madman, sprinting from one side of the mountain to the other, trying to get every angle for the best possible shot.

When the last light faded away behind the layers of barren mountains, we were treated to a few more minutes of a light show on Mt. Cook, the last mountain in the area to see the light.

winter camping

winter camping

With a bottle of wine and a bottle of chocolate to share, we huddled into the tent but left the door open, continuing our entertainment. There we sat quietly, sipping our wine and counting the shoot stars, which were abundant and visible on a perfectly still and clear night.

Finally, our eyelids began to droop and we settled into bed.

It was merely 8 pm but such is the way when you live by nature’s clock. The weather forecast looked calm and still for the night so we opted to leave the door open.

Again, I was so grateful to have my Marmot Lithium sleeping bag, which is rated down to -18c. I felt like I was snuggled up next to the fire and I knew it would be hard to leave my cocoon of warmth in the morning.

winter camping

winter camping

I woke up just as the sky was lightening and in a rare move for me, I sprang to my feet, took off my warm camp booties and pulled on my frozen boots.

The sky was pastel pink and my friends were already up and enjoying the rising sun. Again, I spent the next 15 minutes frantically taking photos, trying to capture forever the magic that I was experiencing in real life.

With frozen digits, we managed to melt enough snow to cook breakfast and make coffee. Even the water in our hydration reservoirs had completely frozen solid. Before we knew it, our camp was packed up and we were bidding this special area farewell for now.

winter camping

We sauntered back down the mountain, laughing when one of us would hit a patch of soft snow, sinking to our mid-thigh and before long we were back in the lowlands, feeling the warm sun on our faces and feeling like the cold summit morning was already a world away.

How nice it was to get away from life for a bit in our own backyard, a seemingly endless playground to explore. It was a good reminder that not every adventure needs to be hardcore or militantly planned and that good trips are defined by the people you’re with and the mindset you have going into them.

Oh, and wine. Lots and lots of wine.

Are you a fan of camping? Would you go on a winter adventure too? Share!

Use offer code LIZC15 for 15% off your first order at Backcountry until the end of September

winter camping

Many thanks to Backcountry.com for supporting us on our adventures. Note: some of these links are affiliate links. Like always, we’re keeping it real. All opinions are our own, like you could expect less from us!

The post Camping in New Zealand’s snowy Alps in the winter appeared first on Young Adventuress.



from Young Adventuress https://ift.tt/2okWcfo

Best Wreck Diving in the United States

In the second of our six-part series on the world’s most dive-able wrecks we’re highlighting the best wreck diving in the United States. (Check out Asia’s best wrecks here). For those with proper certification, wreck diving can offer a window into history. Interior spaces are often eerie and mysterious, sometimes dark and gloomy, and always fascinating to explore. Even if you don’t venture inside a wreck, however, there’s much to discover on deck. Here are our top 10 picks for some of the best wreck diving in the United States. 

YO-257

Where: Oahu, Hawaii

The YO-257, an old naval oiler, is the largest and most colorful wreck in Hawaii at 175 feet (54 m) long. After serving in WWII, the Korean War and Vietnam War, Atlantis Submarines scuttled the oiler in 1989 as a showcase for passengers on its submarine tours. It’s since become one of Oahu’s most popular dive sites. There is a complete swim-through at the stern with chances to see sea turtles, eagle rays and trumpetfish.

Maximum depth is 110 feet (34 m) and the top deck is around 85 feet (26 m) deep. Water temperatures range from 73 F (22 C) in January to 82 F (27 C) in July.

USS Spiegel Grove

Where: Key Largo, Florida

The Spiegel Grove is a 510-foot (155 m) former landing-ship dock, now covered in coral and fan growth. You’ll want more than one dive to see it all, including the former helicopter landing pad, gun turrets and two crane arms. Only trained and experienced wreck divers can enter the inner passageways, where you can see the galley’s ovens, sinks and stoves, the mess hall, engine rooms, pump rooms, living quarters and brig.

The top deck is at about 60 feet (18 m) while the maximum depth is around 144 feet (44m). Water temperatures range from 73 F (23 C) in February to 86 F (30 C) in August.

U-352

Where: Morehead City, North Carolina

A German U-boat, the U-352 went down in 1942 during WWII as the result of an attack by the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Icarus. It rests in a wreck-rich area of North Carolina’s waters known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic, so it’s easy to dive a number of wrecks on one trip. The U-352 was discovered in 1975, though not announced until 1976. Divers can see a conning tower, torpedo hatches and sand-tiger sharks hanging around the wreck. The wreck lays at a 45-degree angle, although the outer hull has disintegrated.

The maximum depth is about 115 feet (35 m) while the minimum depth is around 90 feet (27 m). Water temperatures range from 55 F (13 C) in February to 84 F (29 C) in August.

Lady Luck

Where: Pompano Beach, Florida.

Formerly a New York City sludge tanker called the Newtown Creek, the Shipwreck Park Foundation of Pompano Beach, Florida purchased this vessel in 2016 to sink as an artificial reef. Renamed the “Lady Luck,” the foundation installed various sculptures on the main deck, including sharks playing poker, an octopus playing craps, a mermaid cocktail waitress, huge dice and original art from Dennis MacDonald. There are even occasional underwater poker tournaments for divers.

The minimum depth is around 80 feet (24 m) while the maximum depth is around 134 feet (40 m). Most of the wreck’s highlights are at around 100 feet (30 m). Water temperatures range from 75 F (24 C) from January to March to 84 F (29 C) from July to September.

HMCS Yukon


Where: San Diego, California

The HMCS Yukon is a 366 foot (108 m) long Canadian warship resting in a little over 100 feet of water off the coast of San Diego. The Yukon went down in 2000, and although it was meant to be a planned sinking, nature had other plans. The ship was gutted and cleaned, with holes cut in both the port and starboard sides, meant to create swim-throughs for divers. Towed out to its final resting place the night before, larger-than-expected waves overcame the plywood covering the holes and the ship filled with water, listed, and sank onto its port side. Because the wreck lays on its side, divers can become disoriented quite easily and none without extensive training should attempt any penetration.

Minimum depth is 60 feet (18 m) and maximum depth is 100 feet (30 m). Water temperatures range from 57 F (14 C) in February to 68 F (20 C) in August.

Mary Alice B


Where: Lake Huron, Michigan

The Mary Alice B, a steel 65-foot (20 m) tug, was built in 1931 and went down in 1975 about six miles from Port Sanilac, Michigan. It sits upright with an intact wheelhouse, which is quite rare as divers often removed wheels for artifacts. Visibility inside the wreck can get bad on choppy days and only experienced, properly trained divers should attempt penetration.

The wreck sits in around 90 feet (27 m) of water, making it an advanced dive. Water temperatures range from 34 F (1 C) in February/March to 70 F (21 C) in August.

USS Hogan


Where: San Diego, California

The 314-foot (96 m) destroyer sank off San Diego in 1945 after becoming a target ship for torpedo practice. Previously, the USS Hogan, built in 1919 served in a military capacity in both WWI and WWII. Today, the wreck features abundant coral growth and fish life. Visibility can change quickly, and the dive is often done as a drift, making this site best suited to experienced divers.

The wreck lays between 100 and 125 feet (30 to 38 m) in waters that range from 57 F (14 C) in February to 68 F (20 C) in August.

Keystorm


Where: St. Lawrence River, New York

Built in 1909, the Keystorm sank 1912 after hitting a shoal in the St. Lawrence River. Despite its age, this 256-foot (80 m) steel freighter is mainly still intact. Divers can see the engine room, a corridor along the port side and the propeller. This wreck is shallow enough for divers of all levels, but you must have the correct training, experience and equipment for penetration. Visibility, murky water and current can all present challenges as well.

The vessel lies between 25 and 110 feet (7 and 34 m) in water that ranges from 34 F (3 C) in March to 71 F (23 C) in August.

SS Milwaukee 

Where: Lake Michigan, Milwaukee

The SS Milwaukee, built in 1902, sank with all hands on-deck in Lake Michigan in 1929. The ship was a train-car ferry, shuttling train cars back and forth from Milwaukee to western Michigan. Divers can still see train cars filled with cargo such as sinks, toilets and bathtubs. The boiler room and crew quarters are accessible to divers with the correct training.

The SS Milwaukee lays between 90 and 128 feet (27 to 39 m) deep in water where temperatures range from 32 to 68 F (0 to 20 C). Temperatures at depth consistently stay between 38 and 40 F (3 to 4 C) so you’ll want a drysuit.

USCGC Spar


Where: Beaufort, North Carolina

The Coast Guard Cutter USCGC Spar is a frequent hangout for North Carolina’s population of sand-toothed tiger sharks, making for an excellent dive. The ship was purpose-sunk as a dive site in 2004 and the mix of warm and cold currents around the wreck attracts other shark species, as well as spadefish, cobia and occasional giant stingrays.

The USCGC Spar sits between 85 and 110 feet (25 to 34 m) in water that ranges from 58 F (13 C) in February to 84 F (29 C) in August.

The post Best Wreck Diving in the United States appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.



from Scuba Diver Life https://ift.tt/2PL1LjS