1. Islands

Category Archives: Islands

In photos: Edsa, Wescom anniversary celebration on Kalayaan Islands

Posted on by

The Philippine flag standson Pag-asa Island.

KALAYAAN ISLANDS, PhilippinesThe 1986 Edsa revolution was celebrated even on the island of Pag-asa, a disputed territory in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) caught in the crosshairs of powerful Asian neighbors.

The military, led by Western Command chief Alexander Lopez, together with members of the provincial government of Palawan, headed to the island on Wednesday to celebrate the Edsa people power revolution and the anniversary of Wescom.

Lopez said the message of Edsa was fitting for Pag-asahope and freedom.

Aside from the gift-giving to residents and soldiers, a Mass was also held and children were treated to Jollibee.

Fresh supplies were also delivered to residents and troops stationed on the island.

Pag-asa is a fifth class municipality with a population of about 200. It is the largest Philippine-occupied island in the Kalayaan Island Group (Spratlys).

Pag-asa, a fifth class municipality in Palawan located in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), has a population of about 200.

A flag-raising ceremony was held in Pag-asa on Wednesday, Feb. 25, during the Edsa people power revolution anniversary.

Military and local government officials, led by Wescom chief Vice Adm. Alexander Lopez, Palawan Vice Gov. Victorino Dennis Socrates and Kalayaan Mayor Eugenio Bito-onon, on Pag-asa Island

The rest is here:

In photos: Edsa, Wescom anniversary celebration on Kalayaan Islands

Six of the best: European Islands

Posted on by

Crete, Greece

Of all the Greek Islands, Crete is both the largest and most varied. Historical sights are topped by the ruins of the Knossos Palace, the pinnacle of the Minoan civilisation. It's just to the south of Crete's capital, Iraklio (also called Heraklion). There are also some tremendous beaches particularly Elafonisi in the south-western corner while Samaria Gorge offers one of the continent's great canyon hikes. The island's also large enough to have substantial mountains, dotted with picturesque monasteries such as the culturally symbolic Moni Arkadiou. Stay at Casa Delfino (casadelfino.com), a 17th-century mansion in Hania, Crete's most attractive city. Doubles cost from 137 euros.

See incrediblecrete.gr.

The brand often supersedes the island itself. Ibiza is so well known as the home of superclubs and globetrotting star DJs that the original appeal is forgotten. Go beyond the beach resorts some are upmarket, others massively insalubrious and there's a fabulous cliff and cove-lined coast. Ibiza Mundo Activo (Ibizamundoactivo.com) runs kayaking trips along it. In the east, converted farmhouse accommodation and the Las Dalias alternative markets (lasdalias.es) hint at the long-standing hippy culture. The fortified Ibiza City, however, is a much-underrated star in its own right. Stay ina huge spa complex at the Aguas de Ibiza resort (aguasdeibiza.com), from 189 euros.

See Ibiza.travel.

A unique history sets Malta far apart from other holiday islands. The capital, Valletta, may be tiny, but the astonishingly complete fortifications built along its clifftops make it look like the world's largest castle. It was built by the Knights of St John who have plenty of audio-visual and slightly hokey walk-through attractions devoted to them within the city. Elsewhere, the megalithic Hagar Qim temple, Hal Saflieni Hypogeum prehistoric necropolis and medieval streets of walled city Mdina all evoke different eras. Stay at the classic grand dame HotelPhoenicia (phoeniciamalta.com), just outside Valletta, from 150 euros.

See visitmalta.com.

Skye is Scotland 101; a startlingly gorgeous compromise for those who can't quite choose between Scotland's highlands and islands. Dunvegan (dunvegancastle.com) ticks the imposing castle box, while the Cuillin Hills have razor-toothed peaks and testing trails to loch and moorland views for determined hikers. The Talisker whisky distillery (discovering-distilleries.com/talisker) should suit less active types, while the MV Stardust (skyeboat-trips.co.uk) shows off the cliff-lined coastline and hopefully a few seals, porpoises and sea eagles. Stay in pretty Portree, where the Rosedale Hotel (rosedalehotelskye.co.uk) has bags of old-fashioned charm. Doubles cost from 70.

See skye.co.uk.

The dreamy lavender fields and photogenic abandoned villages of the island's interior have virtually nothing in common with the swaggering, well-heeled glamour of Hvar Town. The latter is all gothic palaces, handsome 13th-century city walls, high-energy bars and eye-wateringly expensive hotels. But hire a scooter for a day, or head out on a day tour, and it's suddenly all about old-school, slow-paced Mediterranean romance and jealousy-inducing cove beaches. The clear waters make for great diving too Viking Diving (viking-diving.com) runs PADI courses and day trips. Aparthotel Pharia (orvas-hotels.com) offers a rarity affordable peak season double rooms from 78 euros.

More here:

Six of the best: European Islands

Apostle Islands ice caves to open Saturday

Posted on by

The ice caves along Wisconsin's Apostle Islands National Lakeshore will open to the public on Saturday assuming conditions don't change, the National Park Service said Wednesday afternoon.

But they also urged caution for people who make the trek on Lake Superior ice.

"Rangers checked the ice today and found the walk to the ice caves very treacherous. Large areas of bare ice create extremely slippery conditions. Near the caves, piles of fractured ice sheets make footing rough and unsteady," the Park Service said in a Facebook post.

Rangers also said people should avoid recently formed cracks in the ice near the base of the cliffs and do not stand under large icicles.

The National Park Service's Julie Van Stappen warns the ice is very slippery.

"Unlike last year, when it was more like walking on a hard packed road, it's almost glare ice for a good chunk of the way," Stappen said. "So people really need to use some sort of crampons, and recommend that they bring ski poles, because it's just very slick."

The ice caves drew more than 138,000 tourists last year as the deep freeze made the caves accessible to pedestrians for the first time in nearly five years. In 2009, 12,700 visitors trekked to view the ice formations.

The crush of visitors in 2014 led the park system to plan a $5 fee this year for visitors age 16 and older.

See more here:

Apostle Islands ice caves to open Saturday

Apostle Islands ice caves set to open Saturday

Posted on by

BAYFIELD, Wis. (AP) Apostle Islands National Lakeshore officials say the popular ice caves are set to open to the public Saturday if conditions don't change.

The National Park Service made the announcement Wednesday. But officials urge caution for people who make the trek on Lake Superior ice.

Minnesota Public Radio News reports lakeshore planning chief Julie Van Stappen warns the ice is slippery.

Van Stappen says unlike last year, "it's almost glare ice for a good chunk of the way." Officials recommend people use crampons and use ski poles.

The ice caves drew more than 138,000 tourists last year as the deep freeze made the caves accessible to pedestrians for the first time in nearly five years. The park system plans a $5 fee this year for visitors age 16 and older.

Visit link:

Apostle Islands ice caves set to open Saturday

Walking on Hydra island, wyspa Hydra – Greece 2014 – one of the best greek islands – Video

Posted on by


Walking on Hydra island, wyspa Hydra - Greece 2014 - one of the best greek islands
Hydra (Greek: , pronounced [ira] in modern Greek) is one of the Saronic Islands of Greece, located in the Aegean Sea between the Saronic Gulf and the Argolic Gulf. It is separated...

By: Like2 TravelbyCar

More here:

Walking on Hydra island, wyspa Hydra - Greece 2014 - one of the best greek islands - Video

Minecraft: Castaway Islands #3 – HIDDEN CHESTS! (CastawayMC 2.0) – Video

Posted on by


Minecraft: Castaway Islands #3 - HIDDEN CHESTS! (CastawayMC 2.0)
IP: play.CastawayMC.net Site: http://CastawayMC.net/ Missed an episode of this series? Click the link to view all the episodes of CASTAWAY ISLANDS - Coming Soon! Winner: GreekGameplayers...

By: BrenyBeast - Minecraft

Continue reading here:

Minecraft: Castaway Islands #3 - HIDDEN CHESTS! (CastawayMC 2.0) - Video

Brockville bridge corp. nod hailed

Posted on by

The appointment of a Brockville director to the Federal Bridge Corporation will bring a much-needed local voice to the running of the Thousand Islands Bridge, Senator Bob Runciman believes.

Diana Dodge, the executive director of the Bridlewood Manor long-term care facility in Brockville and former executive director of the Brockville and District Chamber of Commerce, is among the appointees to the new bridge corporation board announced earlier this month. Dodge will serve a three-year term.

Its good to see it moving in the right direction, said Runciman, the senator for Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes.

While the senator hopes Dodges appointment will bring a local voice to the separately run Thousand Islands Bridge Authority, an official at the federal corporation stressed Monday the two entities are separate.

The Federal Bridge Corporation amalgamated with its subsidiary, the St. Marys River Bridge Company, and the Blue Water Bridge Authority to form a single Crown corporation under the Federal Bridge Corporation name on February 1. It also owns the Thousand Islands Bridge.

The Thousand Islands Bridge Authority manages that bridge under an agreement with the federal corporation.

Since 2013, Runciman has been calling on the federal corporation to nominate a local resident to the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority.

The latter, an American-operated authority, has four U.S. directors and three from Canada, and none of the Canadians are from the surrounding area.

On the American side, the four members are appointees from Jefferson County and carry a mandate to promote tourism from their county government, notes Runciman.

Since the federal corporation generally appoints its own directors to the Thousand Islands authority, Runciman is hopeful Dodge may soon sit on the local international panel as well.

The rest is here:

Brockville bridge corp. nod hailed

Edsas message of freedom, change celebrated on Kalayaan Islands

Posted on by

Western Command, Palawan and Pag-asa local officials celebrate the Edsa revolution anniversary on Pag-asa Island, a farflung community in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

PAG-ASA ISLAND, PhilippinesIn the disputed Kalayaan Group of Islands (Spratlys), the Edsa revolutions anniversary was celebrated in the face of territorial rows within neighboring countries in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

We have the opportunity to celebrate (the Edsa revolution anniversary) here because (the place) goes well with (the revolutions) messagechange and freedom, Western Command (Wescom) chief Vice Adm. Alexander Lopez said on Wednesday.

Wescom officials and members of the provincial government of Palawan trooped to Pag-asa Island via Philippine Air Force C-130 to celebrate the 29th year of Edsa People Power Revolution.

Aside from the celebration, there was a flag-raising ceremony, a gift-giving event for soldiers and residents which was supposed to be held last Christmas, a Mass and a cultural presentation.

Children were treated to food from a popular local fast-food chain and the presence of its mascot.

Two things: This is symbolic and the other thing is belated. We should have done this during Christmas, cheer-giving not for anything else, but to cheer the children and their families, Lopez said.

Our message here is this is a municipality of Palawan, this is ours. We are here to show the country and even to the world that this part of the globe is ours. We have a moral obligation to develop it and look after the constituents. Thats why our Vice Governor is here, the symbolism of the province is here and that [Pag-asa] is not forgotten, he added.

Pag-asa is a fifth-class municipality that is part of the Kalayaan Island Group and has a population of about 200. It is the largest of the islands and islets that is occupied by the Philippines in the hotly-contested West Philippine Sea.

Here in Pag-asa there is hope and there is freedom. There is freedom in vigilance to the threatening security in the region because of the developments on claimants reefs, Lopez said.

Read the original post:

Edsas message of freedom, change celebrated on Kalayaan Islands

Argentina's new 'Malvinas' bank note ridiculed by Falkland Islanders

Posted on by

The new bank note will go into circulation next month, Alejandro Vanoli, president of the central bank, announced on Monday. The design of the note was unveiled last year by President Cristina Kirchner, on the 32nd anniversary of the Argentine invasion of the British archipelago, which in Argentina is termed the Malvinas.

The 50 peso note, worth 3.70, has been designed and produced by Argentina's Mint House, and shows the map of the South Atlantic territories and another map of Latin America and the Caribbean - meant to show the support Argentina has rallied among regional nations in its long-standing sovereignty dispute against London.

On the other side features an image of Gaucho Antonio Rivero - an Argentine rancher, or gaucho, who in 1833 is alleged to have headed the resistance fight against the British occupation of the archipelago.

The notes were swiftly ridiculed by the Islanders themselves.

"Surprised they can afford a colour printer," said one, referring to the struggling Argentine economy.

He then tweeted a photo of the Falkland Islands currency, which features the image of the Queen.

"At least we stick to the facts."

Argentinas economy contracted 1.5 per cent last year and will shrink 1.4 per cent this year before growing 2.6 per cent in 2016, according to economists surveyed by Bloomberg.

Read this article:

Argentina's new 'Malvinas' bank note ridiculed by Falkland Islanders

What Actually Happened in the Falklands, With or Without Bill OReilly

Posted on by

TIME History conflict What Actually Happened in the Falklands, With or Without Bill OReilly Cover Credit: TODD SCHORR The Apr. 19, 1982, cover of TIME, featuring the war in the Falkland Islands The conflict between Britain and Argentina took the world by surprise

After more than three decades out of the spotlight, the Falkland Islands are back in the news, this time because of controversy over a claim that Bill OReilly has made misleading statements about his time covering the conflict that took place there in 1982.

OReilly says that he has always been honest about the fact that his reporting on the war was from Buenos Aires, not the islands themselvesas TIME reported back then, only 27 British reporters were able to get therebut Mother Jones magazine contends that his statement that he reported from active war zones suggests otherwise. The controversy continued Tuesday as OReilly further insisted that he never misled anyone.

But what exactly did happen in the Falklands?

In 1982, the archipelago had long been home to little else besides shepherds, sheep, 10 million penguins and a history of diplomatic disputes.

The islands had first been seen by British eyes in the 16th century, were claimed by the U.K. in the 17th century, went to Spain in the 18th century and back to Britain in 1833. Meanwhile, Argentina, which became independent from Spain during the period of Spanish control of the Falklands, claimed the right to the landthey had gained the Malvinas, their name for the islands, when Spain left, they arguedeven over the objections of many who actually lived on the Islands. Argentinas military ruler, General Galtieri, hoped to boost his own popularity by scoring a win in the islands. The locals, largely descended from Brits, did not support leaving the shelter of the British crown (which held them as a dependency, not an independent member of the commonwealth) for then-unstable but nearby rule.

In early April of 1982, the Falklands (and, by extension, the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands) were defended by a few dozen British marines already on the islands when thousands of Argentine troops suddenly swept in. In fighting that lasted mere hours, the South American nation seized the territories from the U.K., which responded by breaking off diplomatic relations and, via the U.N., demanding that Argentina withdraw. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and her government promised that, were the request denied, the islands would be retaken by force. And, when the British navy arrived in the areato enforce a blockade and evacuate the invadersthat result began to seem more and more likely.

Even as war loomed, TIME observed that the spectacle was out of nowhere, it seemed, or out of another century. One of the worlds major powers, no longer famous for its empire, and a country on another continent, fighting a sudden territorial war over a couple of islands? Just plain weird. Nonetheless, the pride of two nations was on the line, and citizens on both sides supported action.

President Ronald Reagan was unable to mediate a diplomatic solution and, at the end of the month, thousands of Argentine troops prepared for a confrontation. Rather than landing in the Falklands directly, the British forces landed on South Georgia Island, one of the Falklands dependencies, to the east of the main archipelago. South Georgia was quickly captured, bringing the two sides within striking distance.

By May, Britains Defense Secretary announced that the nations aircraft had taken action to enforce the total exclusion zone and to deny the Argentines use of the airport at Port Stanley, the Falklands capital. Military targets in the Falklands were bombed and other nations, including the U.S., ended their neutrality in the conflict. (The U.S. sided with England; the Soviets would eventually speak up for Argentina.) Fighting increased, as did patriotic support on both home fronts, even as the costs began to climb.

Read more:

What Actually Happened in the Falklands, With or Without Bill OReilly

Mansionair cover Future Islands ‘Seasons (Waiting On You)’ for Like A Version – Video

Posted on by


Mansionair cover Future Islands #39;Seasons (Waiting On You) #39; for Like A Version
Sydney boys Mansionair put a smooth spin on Future Islands #39; #39;Seasons (Waiting On You) #39; for triple j #39;s Like A Version. Subscribe: http://tripj.net/151BPk6 Lik...

By: triple j

View original post here:

Mansionair cover Future Islands 'Seasons (Waiting On You)' for Like A Version - Video


  1. Islands