Please note our writers visited St Vincent and the Grenadines prior to the coronavirus pandemic

This 32-island nation is real get-away-from-it-all territory, from lush, mountainous St Vincent to the magical Grenadine islands. Several private islands have a single hotel such as Petit St Vincent and Palm Island, but the most exclusive, with villas and a few hotels, is Mustique, offering privacy, luxury and a country-club atmosphere for the rich and famous. To partake in local life, head for friendly little Bequia. Its villagey capital, Port Elizabeth, is set at the back of pretty, yacht-filled Admiralty Bay, and the island has excellent beaches, some good restaurants and laid-back bars.

St Vincent and the Grenadines has just been announced as an air bridge partner for Britain, meaning tourists can visit without quarantine at either end or any restrictions. So wherever you choose to stay, your time can be spent soaking up the glorious scenery and making full use of everything on offer. Be sure to make a trip to the Tobago Cays, a cluster of uninhabited islands in a coral reef lagoon offering fantastic snorkelling and swimming with turtles.

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Where to stay in St Vincent and the Grenadines for a tropical 'air bridge' holiday - The Telegraph

BOSTON -- With upticks in positive COVID-19 testing rates linked to larger social events, Gov. Charlie Baker said Thursday that his administration is reviewing the state's guidance on gathering sizes, but blamed the behavior of people choosing to party without precaution for the clusters of infections that have sprung up.

A large party in Chatham has been linked to a cluster of new infections there, while a number of lifeguards who attended a party in Falmouth walked away infected by COVID-19. And on Nantucket, officials are considering scaling back restaurant hours as infection numbers on the island have ticked up and people have been observed gathering on beaches close to one another without masks.

"I think that's one of the things we're talking about," Baker said at a press conference when asked about the state's gathering size limits. "But the bigger issue is not so much the nature of the size of some of these gatherings, especially the private ones that are going on in backyards and places like that. The bigger issue is honestly the behavior generally at those, which is not socially distant, no masks and in some respects a lack of respect for how this virus works and how it moves from person to person."

Baker's assessment of the situation echoed that of frustrated Cape Cod officials, who pointed Thursday to house parties and other private gatherings as a driver of new COVID-19 infections in the region. Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo also told her constituents to tone down the summer partying as she took action to reduce permissable gathering sizes in the Ocean State.

"To all our residents I can't express this enough. Don't be careless or complacent," Baker said.

The state's guidance instructs people to limit indoor gatherings to 25 people, and a maximum of 100 people outdoors depending on the size of the venue. The state's positive test rate is at 2 percent currently, which is still low, but has been rising slightly over the past week or so.

Baker was at Pfizer's facilities in Andover where the pharmaceutical giant this week entered stage three efficacy trials for a vaccine for COVID-19 that is expected to involve up to 30,000 test patients. Pfizer is one of several Massachusetts companies chasing a vaccine, and company officials hope to be able to file for regulatory approvals for use by October.

The company said it expects to produce 100 million doses of the vaccine by the end of the year, and will have the capability to make 1.3 billion doses by the end of 2021. Pfizer's is an mRNA vaccine that requires two doses per patient. Cambridge-based Moderna has also begun widespread testing of its vaccine on humans, and another vaccine candidate linked with Massachusetts, this one being pursued by Johnson & Johnson with researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, has shown potential in a study with monkeys, and is entering an early-stage clinical trial in people.

"Until we have a treatment or a vaccine, and I know you're working on that one, we have to learn how to continue to live with this virus," Baker said, with Pfizer executives standing nearby.

Vaira Harik of the Barnstable County Department of Human Services said on a call with members of Cape Cod's reopening task force on Thursday that it was "irresponsible" to host or attend a group gathering without physical distancing and masks, whether the event is indoors or outdoors.

"If you can hear the frustration in our voices, you are not mishearing this," Harik said.

Thirteen people tested positive for COVID-19 in connection with a house party earlier this month in Chatham, Board of Selectmen chair Shareen Davis said. The Cape Cod Times reported Monday that eight Falmouth lifeguards had also tested positive after attending a party.

Davis called it "reckless and dangerous" to ignore public health guidance and said officials wanted to impress upon young people "that their actions have impact" and they could spread the highly contagious virus to loved ones who may be at higher risk.

Sen. Julian Cyr, a Truro Democrat, said holding parties where people don't wear masks or keep their distance is "profoundly disrespectful to Cape Codders who have been working very hard and done, broadly, a pretty good job to slow community spread."

"There's evidence that the community spread is limited, so we're talking about private events, which admittedly is frustrating, particularly given the fact that there is ample fresh air and sunlight and breezes on Cape Cod," Cyr said. "It's frustrating to see these private events occurring, particularly if they're occurring indoors. Private events at which physical distancing and mask-wearing are not occurring are the clear accelerant that is spreading the virus on Cape Cod."

Cyr said he can relate to the desire to socialize and suggested visiting with friends outdoors, in chairs spaced apart from one another.

In Rhode Island, Gov. Raimondo dropped the maximum gathering size from 25 to 15 after what officials there have described as a slight uptick in cases. In a Wednesday press conference, the governor said an analysis of more than 4,000 COVID-19 cases reported in Rhode Island made one thing "crystal clear."

"We're partying too much," she said.

Raimondo said her state has traced cases back to a house party with more than 50 people, birthday parties in backyards and restaurants, a baby shower, a sports banquet and large pool parties. The patterns are the same, she said -- more than 25 people gathering in close contact for hours, with no masks or social distancing.

"If you're doing this, I need you to knock it off, because people are getting sick, people are dying, and it's unnecessary," Raimondo said. "Yes, it's summer, I know you want to have a good time -- we all do -- but I have friends now whose loved ones are on ventilators. Your right to have a party should not infringe on their right to live."

Stricter rules for anyone traveling from the majority of states outside New England to Massachusetts take effect on Saturday. People arriving from 42 states will need to either self-isolate for 14 days or provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result within the previous 72 hours, or risk fines. The rules apply to those moving in to university campuses for the fall semester, and some colleges will have their own testing protocols in place.

Cyr said the ability to return to campus might incentivize college students to behave responsibly in the remaining weeks of their summer breaks.

"That fun summer night on Cape Cod may actually have some pretty significant consequences for you not being able to attend classes in person, being stuck at home with whoever your parents are for a long, cold academically remote winter," he said.

Baker said the uptick in cases on the islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket -- popular summer vacation destinations -- were part of the reason he put more teeth behind the state's inbound travel restrictions.

The Massachusetts governor paused his discussion of the coronavirus at Thursday's press conference to caution people not to plant mysterious seeds from packages that have been arriving unsolicited from foreign countries and may contain invasive species harmful to the environment.

"Locusts? What's next?" the governor muttered, almost to himself.

See the original post here:

Partiers prompt Baker to review gathering limits - Taunton Daily Gazette

Even to those who havent read Robinson Crusoe, the idea of living alone on an island is a familiar daydream.

Particularly in these times of a pandemic, what could be better than holidaying alone on your own island, with as much space and privacy as you want?

It might sound unlikely, but it isnt, although you may need the necessary capital, says Farhad Vladi, a Hamburg-born real estate agent in Germany specialising in private islands.

The 75-year-old man, who says he himself was inspired by Crusoe, has been in the business for 50 years and has sold 3,000 islands, from Canada to the Seychelles and New Zealand.

There are around 12,000 private islands in the world, Vladi says.

But not everything that sticks out of the sea is worth having as a private island.

In order to get a building permit, for example, an island needs to be at least one hectare in size. It should be reachable by boat and look nice.

If youre set on buying your own private island, youll be limited to those countries where foreigners are allowed to buy one.

There are only about 40 countries where thats possible, Vladi says. Thailand, with its rich marine life, is not among them.

If you dont have tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars to spare, many private islands up for sale can also be rented out for holidays at prices that arent very different from those of a good hotel, so long as you share the costs with friends or family.

But what about buying your own island? Isnt that something thats only for the super rich?

If you can afford a good car, you can afford an island, says Vladi.

On the east coast of Canada, for example, you can buy an island for US$50,000 (RM213,775) with nothing on it, of course. You can also buy one for US$30mil (RM1.28bil).

Its nice to have an island if you also have the freedom to travel to it when you want to. Its not good to be trapped on an island, says Vladi, who himself bought an island off New Zealand.

So whats it like spending all your time on an island? For every plan you have to have an alternative plan at the ready, says Nele Wree.

The weather can quickly destroy any plans you have.

Together with her partner Holger Spreer and her daughters Fenja and Ilvy, she has lived on the island of Hallig Suederoog, off the coast of northern Germany, for almost seven years.

It was a series of coincidences that led the 37-year-old art historian to become an island lessee. Spreer, a fisherman, also gave up his job when the pair landed jobs at the local councils coastal, park and marine protection department.

Six kilometres separate the 60ha island from the nearest big island Pellworm. Instead of power lines they have solar panels and diesel generators, though they are connected to the water mains.

Our main tasks are coastal and nature protection work and tourism. That includes securing the Hallig revetments, counting birds, monitoring the drift lines and lots more, she says.

They also look after more than 80 sheep and lambs, more than 20 ducks and geese, three cows, two mini pigs, one cat and six beehives.

People imagine it to be very romantic, that you spend the entire day together as a couple. But its more of a working community, says Wree with a laugh. You constantly have to make decisions together.

Around 1,500 tourists visit Suederoog every year between May and October. Its only possible by taking a guided tour of the mudflats or from Pellworm, says Wree.

And visitors arent allowed to stay longer than an hour. She serves them homemade cakes and hearty soups.

The island inhabited by Alexander Selkirk, thought to have been the man the story of Robinson Crusoe was based on, is still shrouded in mystery.

On the Chilean island of Mas a Tierra, whose name was officially changed to Robinson Crusoe Island in 1966, a real pirate treasure is supposed to be buried: at least 800 sacks of gold. It could be worth a visit if you want a real adventure. dpa

Original post:

Can you really buy your own private island getaway? - The Star Online

Photo: Gayana Marine Resort

Bookmark these luxurious abodes for your next dream getaway

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Unwind to the sound of the waves at your doorstep with a stay at the eco-friendly Gayana Marine Resort. Located on Gaya Island, the largest of five pristine islands in Sabahs Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, the resorts 45 overwater villas promise stunning views of the Malohom Bays azure blue waters and the lush mangrove forest.

From now until Oct 31, 2020, Gayana Marine Resort is offering weekend staycation packages for a maximum of two adults and two kids (aged seven and below) at the Rainforest Villa at RM550 per night, or at the Ocean Villa at RM850 per night.

Travel tip: Healthcare workers who book the Rainforest Villa will be upgraded to the Ocean Villa, subject to availability.

Call 08-8380 390 or email rsvn.gayana@echoresorts.com

Related: Luxury Private Island Retreats In Asia That You Can Rent

Situated a 20-minute speedboat ride away from Mersing, Johor, this gorgeous beachfront resort draws families, couples and solo travellers to its quiet stretch of white beach and untouched natural beauty.

A stay at the breezy Waterfront Bungalow or Beachfront Chalet will have you waking up to stunning views of the South China Sea. For added privacy, book the Frangipani Villa located on a separate stretch of beach.

Travel Tip: Explore Rawa Islands exquisite coral cover and naturally shallow house reef at the resorts dive centre.

Call 07-799 1204, email rawaisland@live.com or click here

More: Private Retreats In Malaysia For A Post-Quarantine Staycation

Home to the Tengah Island Conservation centre (TIC), Batu Batu basks in the unspoilt beauty of the Johor Marine Park. This luxe retreat boasts 2 two-bedroom villas and 20 one-bedroom villas overlooking the waters of South China Sea. The view from the Ocean Deluxe Villa, in particular, promises some spectacular views from its lofty private balcony.

Conservation is a key feature here, and part of the rent will go towards supporting initiatives like TICs endangered sea turtle project and other causes impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Call 07-228 8000 or click here

Holiday Bliss: The Most Idyllic Luxury Holiday Resorts In Malaysia

Perfect for honeymooners and small groups, this secluded getaway off the coast of Terengganu is all about catching up on some much-needed R&R with the South China Sea as a backdrop. Located just a 15-minute boat ride from Marang jetty, the resort boasts 45 sea villas lining the shore.

While youre there, enjoy some fun in the sun with activities on the islands three secluded beaches and explore the sights by kayaking, paddle boarding, diving or snorkelling at the house reef.

Call 03-6205 5555 or email pcw@gemisland.com.my

Embrace the sun, sea and privacy at this low-key property in Pantai Tengah, Langkawi. Surrounded by a lush ancient rainforest overlooking the Andaman Sea, this private retreat consists of nine well-appointed villas, each with its own private pool.

Just 300m away is the Ambong-Ambong Rainforest Retreat, comprising two cottages, six studios and three one-bedroom suites each with a wooden bathtub on the balcony.

Travel Tip: In light of Covid-19, contactless check-ins and check-outs can be done at the pool villas. Guests can get also get meals delivered from on-site restaurants Rimba and Monsoon Bar at no extra cost.

Call 04-9558 428 or email reservations@ambong-ambong.com

ICYMI: These Luxe Hotel Bathrooms In Asia Have The Best Views

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Plan A Staycation At One Of These Beautiful Island Resorts In Malaysia - Tatler Malaysia

A viral Facebook post claimed that the address found on Nickelodeon cartoon character SpongeBob SquarePants driver license is the same address as a building on Jeffrey Epsteins private island, citing this as evidence that all of these cartoons are tainted by pedophiles. our kids are not safe.

Jeffrey Epstein owned Little Saint James, an island in the U.S. Virgin Islands, before his death last year. It is alleged that many of the sex crimes Epstein committed took place on the island, leading the FBI to search the island after Epsteins death.

The address in question appears if a Google search is done for Little St James theme park. The listing has been claimed on Google, but it has not been verified. Satellite imagery of the location showed that initially, the theme park is actually what was formerly Epsteins main compound on the island. As of the publication of this article, a second location has been added with the exact same address and business name, this one for a building on an unnamed road on the island of St. Thomas. The theme park on Little St. James has nine reviews, all from within the last week, and the listed phone number is for SpongeBob and the Find Gary hotline. (Gary is SpongeBobs pet snail in the television show.) The number was created as part of a promotion for a SpongeBob film.

Google has lax standards in allowing people to list businesses on Google Maps that have led to the platform being overrun with millions of false business addresses and fake names, according to advertisers, search experts and current and former Google employees as pointed out in a 2019 Wall Street Journal article. Some of these fake businesses are deliberately intended to deceive Google users, while others are done as jokes. For example, in 2015 one prankster claimed the White House was the location of their fake snowboarding shop named "Edwards Snow Den," a joking reference to the NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden. All evidence seems to point toward SpongeBobs address being found on Epsteins island as being another one of these practical jokes. Theres nothing to indicate an actual connection between SpongeBob Squarepants and Little St. James exists124 Conch Street, Bikini Bottom is the address of a pineapple under the sea, not a theme park on Jeffrey Epsteins island.

If you have a claim you would like to see us fact check, please send us an email atfactcheck@thedispatch.com. If you would like to suggest a correction to this piece or any other Dispatch article, please emailcorrections@thedispatch.com.

Excerpt from:

Is There a Connection Between Jeffrey Epstein and SpongeBob SquarePants? - The Dispatch

A sweeping conservation initiative announced Monday will preserve nearly all the remaining undeveloped land on Cuttyhunk including a large swath of unspoiled barrier beach, salt marsh and coastal upland on the tiny island at the tip of the Elizabeth island chain.

The public-private partnership will place 68 acres under permanent protection, in tandem with the donation of a conservation restriction on a separate 250-acre parcel at the remote, unspoiled west end of Cuttyhunk.

The properties will remain open for public use.

The Buzzards Bay Coalition, town of Gosnold, commonwealth of Massachusetts, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bouchard 120 Oil Spill Natural Resources Damages Trustee Council and 198 private donors all contributed to the $6.1 million acquisition, according to a press release.

Unspoiled marsh and coastal upland are included in $6.1 million initiative. Mark Alan Lovewell/Gazette file photo

The property had been on the market for potential development.

All told, the acquisition will protect more than 300 acres of land and more than five miles of Massachusetts coastline.

Protecting and permanently preserving such a significant portion of Cuttyhunk is a truly historic achievement for the long-term protection of Buzzards Bay, said Buzzards Bay Coalition president Mark Rasmussen in the release. This is one of our regions most unique landscapes.

The land was owned by descendants of William Wood, the turn-of-the-century industrialist who bought much of the land on Cuttyhunk beginning in 1905. Mr. Wood built the islands two great houses Avalon and Winter House. As stewards of much of the undeveloped land on Cuttyhunk, and following in the tradition of our great-grandfather, William Wood, who established our familys foothold on Cuttyhunk, we are proud to participate in this preservation plan of our beloved island, said Van Spaulding, in a statement on behalf of the family.

The 68 acres include Barges Beach, the scenic Lookout and Bayberry Hills, a portion of Copicut Neck all of which will be owned and managed by the Buzzards Bay coalition and Churchs Beach, which will be owned by the town of Gosnold. All the properties will be managed as public reserves, ensuring public access.

Days spent swimming, picnicking, and fishing at Barges and Churchs beaches and walks up to the stunning views from the top of Cuttyhunks highest points will remain forever part of life on Cuttyhunk, the press release said.

The acquisition earned praise from a wide array of state and federal officials, including Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Cong. Bill Keating, the Cape and Islands state legislative delegation, Gov. Charlie Baker, U.S. Fish and Wildlife and the Gosnold selectmen.

Beyond public access and recreation, the two beaches bookend the islands federally recognized harbor of refuge, an important navigational feature at the entrance to Buzzards Bay, the press release said. The protected land will also preserve water quality in the bay and protect the islands only public drinking water supply, as well as protecting the unique maritime island ecosystem.

Earlier this year, the state awarded $1.4 million for the project through the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Action grant program, which aims to strengthen coastal resilience in the face of climate change and rising sea levels.

Two large federal grants $1.15 million from the Bouchard 120 Oil Spill Trustee Council and $1 million from the federal U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program focused on preservation of habitats and wildlife.

The Bouchard oil spill occurred in April 2003 when a tank barge struck the rocks south of Westport after passing on the wrong side of a navigational marker at the entrance to Buzzards Bay. The accident released nearly 100,000 gallons of fuel oil in Buzzards Bay.

Protecting Cuttyhunk island is a fitting way to help offset the 2003 oil spill, which coated the islands shores, said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regional director Wendi Weber in the release.

In the spring of 2019, voters at the Gosnold town meeting unanimously approved contributing $400,000 to the project.

The project was also awarded a $400,000 state L.A.N.D. (Local Acquisitions for Natural Diversity) grant, a $300,000 state grant to guard the public drinking water supply on the island and a municipal mini-grant from the Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program, a joint program of the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) helped to coordinate one of the large federal grants, and technical support was provided by the Marthas Vineyard Commission.

Completing the fundraising was $1.4 million in private donations from 198 Cuttyhunk residents.

The Buzzards Bay Coalition will manage and care for the land. Trails will be improved over the winter with an expected reserve opening in 2021.

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Sweeping Conservation Initiative Protects Rare Lands on Cuttyhunk - The Vineyard Gazette - Martha's Vineyard News

Americas independent music clubs and theaters are at deaths door. Right now, there are no fewer than three bills in front of Congress, all of which could help the live music industry survive the catastrophic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Congresss last day in session is August 7. The session could theoretically be extended, but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has stated he will not do that.

The bills are designated as RESTART, Save Our Stages (a.k.a. SOS), and ENCORES (Entertainment New Credit Opportunity for Relief & Economic Sustainability). If none of themor no Frankensteined combination or permutationpasses, is there another way that independent American music clubs can stay alive? A plan B?

Thats the question put to Dayna Frank of the Minneapolis venue First Avenue. She was on the phone last week, speaking not just for her own club but for nearly two thousand independent venues across the nation. Frank heads up a network of American clubs and theaters called the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA). It was formed in the wake of the massive March COVID-19-spawned shutdown. Its goal is to lobby Congress to find a way that would allow clubs to stay solvent as they generate exactly zero business now and for the foreseeable future.

Frank pauses before answering. There are no other plans. We looked at it, we brainstormed and tried to come up with a plan B, C, or D, but no. There are ways to save individual venues, but this is a ten-billion-dollar problem and the only way to save the industry and ecosystem as a whole is through the federal government.

Austins Barracuda, which shut down in June / photo by Daniel Cavazos

Look at it this way: Even if there is an effective and widespread vaccine available early next yearand audiences feel comfortable enough to mix and mingle in publictours have to be planned and those bands need to have places to play. Yes, the clubs owned and/or booked by deep-pocketed promoting giants Live Nation and AEG may survive, but for the myriad clubs and theaters that arent part of those chains, if theyre shuttered, theres no place for many of those bands to play, a catch-22.

Audrey Fix Schaefer, Communications Director for the 9:30 Club in Washington, and also a NIVA spokesperson, adds, Like all other venues, were in a truly dire situation. Zero revenue and enormous overhead. Theres only so long we can hang on. No business is prepared for this no matter how successful youve been in the past. Without assistance were all going to fold. And this is why were fighting so hard.

If none of these bills pass, says Christine Karayan, of LAs fabled Troubadour, Were not going down without a dramatic fight. You will see bombs exploding.

We were doing well, says J.J. Gonson, self-described proprietrix of the Somerville, MA club ONCE. Weve been closed four months and Im afraid. I lie awake at night. What am I gonna do? Live Nation and AEG have the money to wait it out and all were gonna have is Live Nation and AEG. The world turned upside down and everything got handed to the bad guys. Weve been inclusive and cooperative and caring of our community. Are we going to end up with nothing but corporate hands-off booking?

Its a situation that affects not just the venues, of course, but all those connected: the touring musicians, the crew, the staff, the caterers, the agents, the promoters, the communities in which the clubs are located, and those ancillary businesses. People who go to clubs also go to nearby restaurants.

Were a magnet for other economic activities, says Schaefer. People who come to a show have dinner before, or drinks afterwards. For every dollar spent on a ticket in a small venue, twelve dollars of economic activity is generated, considering the caterers for the act, other restaurants, transportation, and other things. The federal government assisting us is an investmentnot just in keeping our industry from folding, but other businesses as well.

There are ways to save individual venues, but this is a ten-billion-dollar problem and the only way to save the industry and ecosystem as a whole is through the federal government. Dayna Frank, head of NIVA

A million plus emails were sent to Congress, she adds. Hopefully, theyre taking note. Its not a red or blue issue, but a green issuehelping business on main street USA. It is a fight for survival right now. No sugarcoating it, we are on the precipice if we dont get this help.

Cracker guitarist/singer Johnny Hickman has spent the better part of the last thirty-plus years of his life on the road, with his main band and in various other setups. Ive long gotten used to adjusting to change, he says, but we as an industry have never dealt with this The parking brake is pulled, everything is at a standstill for the foreseeable future scenario. Buildings being sold, venues being torn down to make room for a freeway, a beloved club owner passing away or retiring, clubs being absorbed by big-gun entertainment conglomerates, these changes we know.

Musicians, booking agencies, managers, and the fans themselves are all now faced with a mutual dilemma. The positive takeaway is that we all know this. If live music is going to survive COVID-19, we haveto look out for one another and fight to acquire some help for the little guys. Though also adversely affected, the acts that play stadium-sized venues and those venues themselves have a better chance at long term survival. Its the hundred-and-fifty to twelve hundred capacity small- and medium-sized clubs and the artists that rely on them that are the most vulnerable here. The passing of some of these proposed bills and grants is crucial.

Tobi Parks is the owner and talent buyer at xBk in Des Moines, Iowa, a two-hundred-and-fiftycapacity club that opened last September. The name of the club stands for ex-Brooklyn, where Parks hailed from. She sunk her life savings into it. If theres not some kind of package, RESTART or SOS, or some combination, we will not survive, she says The other proposals out there [in front of Congress] dont work for our industry. Were not like restaurants that pop up and reopen. This could be years. We are the only industry that literally has zero revenue. I have to pay my mortgage, and the electric bill comes every month.

Were going through the nest egg. Ive shut off everything I can, but Im still cranking out X amount of dollars a month in rent and insurance. Christine Karayan of LAs Troubadour

The Troubadour, run by Karayan and in her family since the early 80s, admits that because of the market theyre inand because of the clubs visibility and prominencetheyre not in as bad a shape as some others. Nevertheless, Were going through the nest egg. Ive shut off everything I can, but Im still cranking out X amount of dollars a month in rent and insurance. Were probably OK til the end of the year. Were not glitzy and shiny. Were smelly and kind of oldwhat you see is what you get, and a lot of people appreciate it for the familiarity of it.

If [one of the bills] gets through, then, yes, it will be beyond a sense of relief, she says. You could, at that point, start to breathe. Unfortunately, with the other loans currently available, the structure doesnt work for our type of business. I dont know what day I can open the doors or when I can get up and running. Can I take on more debt than I have in place and drown myself?

Michael Dorf, the CEO of the City Winery chain of small clubs, says frankly, Not being able to put on a show is death. And the live industry is one of the only avenues for musicians to earn a living, an incredibly valuable aspect that is at risk of extinction. The world goes nuts when a bald eagles nest is disrupted during a construction project and I agree thats important, but were talking about live music culture and it isnt getting the attention.

Dorfs right. If youre a musician, unless youre topping the streaming or sales world, youre making your living by touring. How much of your income? 75 percent? 90 percent? The Dream Syndicates singer-guitarist Steve Wynn laughs sarcastically. Are you kidding? Id say about 99.9999 percent from touring and the rest from sales and streaming.

I do most of my touring over in Europe and there isconsiderable relieffunding over there forindependent clubs,musicians, and other artistsrightnow, he continues. Over here, its a differentstory.I hate to think of all the great clubs that Ive enjoyed as a fan and as a touring musician that wont stand a chance over here if this goes on much longer without some kind ofassistance.Its sad. They obviously understand the concepts of a quality of life and a more enlightened society in the old country, dont they?

Stiff Little Fingers singer/guitarist Jake Burns began his life on the rock road back in Belfast, Northern Ireland in the late 70s and has lived in Chicago for many years. Before the pandemic, Stiff Little Fingers was touring a lot and had eight to ten European festival dates ahead of them. While a spring 2021 tour is being planned, everything is, of course, speculative.

This is my job. If I dont work, I dont get paid, says Burns, who says his band is in danger of hitting its endpoint. Bob Geldof said this years ago: Musicians make two types of money, more than you can ever imagine or not as much as you think. And hes right. Private islands or working stiffs. There are very few bands in the middle ground. Royalties arent there anymore.

In June, more than six hundred artistsDave Grohl, Billie Eilish, Brittany Howard, Willie Nelson, Lady Gaga, Neil Young, and Leon Bridges among themsigned a letter sent to Congress saying, in part, Independent venues give artists their start, often as the first stage most of us have played on. These venues were the first to close and will be the last to reopen If these independent venues close forever, cities and towns across America will not only lose their cultural and entertainment hearts, but they will lose the engine that would otherwise be a driver of economic renewal for all the businesses that surround them.

NIVA has gotten some TV attention. Jimmy Kimmel guest host Joel McHale chatted it up and bluegrass guitarist Billy Strings played from Nashvilles The Station Inn. Jimmy Fallon also plugged NIVA before segueing to Jimmy Buffett.

How optimistic or pessimistic are the club owners and musicians? My research over the past week suggests that everyone is on a see-saw.

This is my job. If I dont work, I dont get paid. Bob Geldof said this years ago: Musicians make two types of money, more than you can ever imagine or not as much as you think. And hes right. Private islands or working stiffs. There are very few bands in the middle ground. Royalties arent there anymore. Jake Burns of Stiff Little Fingers

Ive swung the entire spectrum from reasonably optimistic to totally pessimistic, says Burns.

Im cautiously optimistic, says Austen Bailey, talent buyer for the Mohawk Austin club in Texas. But weve gotta use the phrase You cant perform a transplant on a dead body.

It depends on what day of the week youre asking me, says the Troubadours Karayan.Today, Im a little more optimistic overall. This will end at some point. But theres no way you can open at a quarter capacity and have it make any financial sense.

On the one-to-ten scaletotal pessimism a one and complete optimism a ten, Robert Mercurio, co-owner of New Orleans Tipitina, says, My feelings of confidence go up and down. Today, I will say three. I watch the news and try to get a temperature of where Congress is at and its a real tossup.

Mercurio is in a somewhat unique position, too: Not only does he co-own a club, hes bassist for the funk-rock band Galactic. We own the club and are stewards of this historic venue, one of the most storied venues in New Orleans and a big part in the history of our band. Were a band so were doubly hit, struggling on both sides. Its been extremely difficult. Its not like we have another day job. Were popular, but we cant afford to take off that long.

City Winerys Dorf praises NIVAs campaignextraordinarybut my opinion which is quite cynical right now, is Im not that optimistic about our government. Fingers crossed, but I dont see a magic program opening up in the next few weeks.

To be honest, says Crackers Hickman, my biggest fear is that as weve seen under the current administration, the ones at the top of the food chain, the one-percenters and the least vulnerable, will siphon off any and all of the proposed financial assistance. My hope is that the big-gun corporations who rely on alcohol and ticket sales will step in with some muscle and help us get these bills and grants green lighted before its too late. Theres my wounded, but unsinkable, optimism. I hope its as contagious as this horrible fucking virus.

Then, Hickman addresses what might be the elephant in the room: Could there be negative sentiment that would kill these bills because right-wingers may hate entertainment elites and view rock clubs as such? That they, like President Donald Trump, consider art superfluous?Oh, absolutely, Hickman says. This is where the opposition will come from. The right wing traditionally operates from a place of fear or greed. If they can profit from it, they help. If not, fuck you, little club, little band. Fortunately, we have artists like Roger Waters and Taylor Swift on our side, calling out the filth and corruption of the soulless fascists currently at the helm.

Frank differs, believing NIVAs case is so strong it will transcend political bias. Its so blatantly obvious, she says. We are small intimate spaces where people sing and talk, and you have a virus that kills people in small intimate spaces primarily by singing and talking. Youd be hard-pressed to find an industry that needs aid more than we do, especially independents who have no ancillary revenue, no corporate parents, and no other ways of getting cash right now.

If theres a silver lining amidst these huge and hovering dark clouds, its been that NIVA has been able to organize all these disparate clubs into a network on short notice. While they were all dependent on each other to a degreea band needs to route its tours by connecting with multiple venuesNIVA has put many of the players on the communicative playing field. Congressional action is on everyones mutual interest. Why has there never been an organization like this before? We never had a need, says Frank, Weve never been shut down on three-hours notice.

Instead of a loanI hate to use the word bailout, but it is going to be a lifeline. The government has provided similar support to other industries. Ours is a tiny drop in the bucketwere looking for ten billion dollars compared to hundreds of billions that were allocated to save banks and airlines. Tobi Parks of Des Moines xBk

The RESTART and ENCORES bills have been filed, and Save Our Stages, co-sponsored by Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), was introduced in the Senate last week, and was introduced on the House floor Monday, July 27, by Roger Williams (R-TX-15) and Peter Welch (D-VT-At large). For NIVA, its the preferred bill.

Schaefer explains RESTART as a loan program where a lot of it can be forgiven, with Save Our Stages being an out-and-out grant program. Both have components that would fit our needs, she says. Congress negotiates what goes into the overall bill. This is when the sausage-making on the hill happens. I cant predict what will happen, and people whove made law for the last twenty-five years cannot predict what will happen.

Save Our Stages is similar to RESTART in the way it identifies the business, but is more industry-specific, says Parks of xBk. Instead of a loanI hate to use the word bailout, but it is going to be a lifeline. The government has provided similar support to other industries. Ours is a tiny drop in the bucketwere looking for ten billion dollars compared to hundreds of billions that were allocated to save banks and airlines.

I reached out via phone and email to various sponsors of the bills, hoping to probe their thoughts on the potential passing, only hearing back from U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.): The forty-two Senators who have co-sponsored the RESTART Act demonstrates the overwhelming bipartisan support for the bill. Momentum continues to build with a wide cross-section of industries for this proposal as wellfrom concert venues to restaurants to hotels and manufacturing companiesbecause the hardest-hit businesses know it is tailored for their needs, and provides sustained support with flexible options for loan forgiveness and a reasonable amount of time to pay it back. If we want to prevent temporary job losses from turning in to permanent ones, and if we want to help the broader economy recover, we must include the RESTART Act in this next COVID-19 relief package. FL

Read the rest here:

Clubs in Crisis: Artists and Indie Venues on the Future of Live Music Post-COVID - FLOOD Magazine

Conspiracy theorists are claiming theres a connection between deceased convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein and Nickelodeon cartoon SpongeBob SquarePants.

They are pointing to addresses on SpongeBobs driver license and a building on Epsteins private island, Little Saint James. The addresses are seemingly the same: 124 Conch St., Bikini Bottom/s.

So can we talk about why spongebobs address on his license is the address for jeffery epsteins pedo island??? this is truly sick. all of these cartoons are tainted by pedophiles. our kids are not safe. Exploding head this is breaking my heart, Twitter user @StormEllimac wrote, including screenshots of SpongeBobs license and the address to Ledges of Little St. James, as shown on Google Maps.

Others are claiming the alleged connection proves elites are trying to normalize pedophilia and that the creator of SpongeBob SquarePants, Stephen Hillenburg, was a pedophile (Hillenburg died in 2018).

The conspiracy also blew up on TikTok, with one video that highlights the connection amassing over half a million views.

While the Daily Dot can confirm the address on Google did list Ledges of Little St. James at 124 conch street, Bikini bottom when searching specifically for Little St James theme park, the address has since been changed.

As noted by the Dispatch, Ledges of Little St. James was listed as a theme park and claimed it was good for kids, but, in reality, it is what was formerly known as the main compound on Little Saint James. The private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands was owned by Epstein up until his death in 2019. The island has come to be known as Pedophile Island, as it is alleged many sex crimes committed by Epstein, along with other elites in cahoots with the disgraced financier, took place there.

So, is there a connection between SpongeBob and Epstein? Probably not. It is fairly easy to add and claim businesses on Google Maps, which is probably what happened in this case. The listing was claimed but not verified on Google Maps. The Dispatch also reports the phone number listed for the Ledges of Little St. James connected callers to a hotline that was created as a promotional stunt for an upcoming SpongeBob film. The Daily Dot was not able to independently verify this.

The Daily Dot has reached out to Google.

READ MORE:

*First Published: Jul 23, 2020, 6:29 pm

Eilish OSullivan is the news wire editor for the Daily Dot. Her work has appeared in the Austin Chronicle and the Daily Texan.

View post:

Conspiracy theorists think theres a connection between Epstein and SpongeBob - The Daily Dot

The Turks and Caicos Islands is open again for tourism.

The British Overseas Territory officially reopened its borders for tourism on July 22.

So what should travelers know?

All visitors need to complete a TCI Assured Pre-Travel Authorization application to be granted entry into the country (you can find it here).

Most crucially, the application will include the requirement that all travelers must present proof of negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken no more than five days prior to arrival in Turks and Caicos.

All travelers will also need medical insurance which covers Medevac (that is, air evacuation in the event of health emergencies like COVID) and certify that they have read the TCIs privacy policy.

Masks are required in all public places, along with social distancing (unless part of a group of family traveling together).

And travelers may only eat at restaurants and eateries that have received the TCI Assured health and safety certification.

That also applies to accommodations: travelers may only stay at hotels, villas and guesthouses that have the TCI assured symbol.(That of course does not apply to homeowners returning to their vacation properties).

Many of the destinations top resorts have also reopened, from the trio of Hartling Group properties: The Sands, The Palms and The Shore Club to the luxe Sailrock resort on South Caicos to the Amanyara resort in Providenciales.

Thats along with some of the Turks and Caicos signature private-island destinations like Como Parrot Cay and the Meridian Club on Pine Cay.

Another property to relaunch is the Sailrock luxury hotel on South Caicos.

We have developed and implemented various protocols to meet their expectations and enhance their experience during their stay at the resort, said Kashmie Ali, managing director of Sailrock, a property he says is ideal for social distancing, something more and more travelers are prizing right now.

See more info on the TCIs new protocols below:

For more, visit TCI Tourism.

Read the rest here:

Turks and Caicos Is Now Open for Tourism Caribbean Journal - Caribbean Journal

[This is a serialization, with slight updates, of my 2012 article on the subject; for the Introduction (which also discusses my ambivalence about such laws), seethis post.]

I talked earlier about laws that seem to protect a broad range of employee speech; now we turn to ones that seem to be narrower, either because they protect "political opinions" without discussion speech or political activity, because they protect only party affiliation, or because they protect only election-related activities.

[A.] Holding Political Opinions or BeliefsNew Mexico, (to Some Extent) Montana, and Harford, Howard, and Prince George's Counties (Maryland) and Lansing (Michigan)

New Mexico bars discrimination based on "political opinions." This could be read broadly, to include discrimination based on speech expressing political views, or narrowly to include only discrimination motivated by disapproval of an employee's beliefs and to exclude discrimination motivated by worry that the employee's speech expressing those beliefs is disruptive to the business.

New Mexico: [It is a felony for any employer of an employee] entitled to vote at any election, [to] directly or indirectly discharg[e] or threaten[] to discharge such employee because of the employee's political opinions or belief[s] or because of such employee's intention to vote or refrain from voting for any candidate, party, proposition, question, or constitutional amendment.

[It is a felony for any employer of an employee] entitled to vote at any [municipal] election [to] directly or indirectly discharg[e] or penaliz[e] or threaten[] to discharge or penalize such employee because of the employee's opinions or beliefs or because of such employee's intention to vote or to refrain from voting for any candidate or for or against any question.

Harford County, Howard County, and Prince George's County (all in Maryland, and containing about of the state's population) also ban discrimination based on "political opinion," defined as "The opinion of persons relating to government or the conduct of government or related to political parties authorized to participate in primary elections in the state." Lansing, Michigan, bans discrimination based on "political affiliation or belief," without defining the terms.

Montana also imposes a similar rule for government contractors, and for health care facilities (including private facilities); the language seems broad enough to bar both discrimination against patrons and discrimination against employees or applicants for employment:

Montana: Every state or local contract or subcontract for construction of public buildings or for other public work or for goods or services must contain a provision that all hiring must be on the basis of merit and qualifications and a provision that there may not be discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, or national origin by the persons performing the contract.

All phases of the operation of a health care facility must be without discrimination against anyone on the basis of race, creed, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, or political ideas.

The Montana Constitution provides that "Neither the state nor any person, firm, corporation, or institution shall discriminate against any person in the exercise of his civil or political rights on account of race, color, sex, culture, social origin or condition, or political or religious ideas," but it's not clear whether the ban on discrimination "in the exercise of civil rights" include discrimination in employment.

[B.] Belonging to, Endorsing, or Affiliating With a Political PartyDistrict of Columbia, Iowa, Louisiana, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Broward County (Florida), Urbana (Illinois)

These laws bar employers from discriminating against employees based on party membership. Most of them also bar discrimination based on the party that the employees "endorse" (D.C., Broward, Urbana) or "affiliate" with (Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands), which seems to cover speech expressing support for the party.

District of Columbia: [No employer may discriminate against employees or prospective employees] based upon the actual or perceived political affiliation [defined as "the state of belonging to or endorsing any political party"] of any individual.

Iowa: A person commits the crime of election misconduct in the first degree if the person willfully [i]ntimidates, threatens, or coerces, or attempts to intimidate, threaten, or coerce, a person [t]o exercise [or not exercise] a right under chapters 39 through 53 [including declaring party affiliation, Iowa Code Ann. 43.41-.42]. (For an explanation of why this statute, which generally bans threats, likely also applies to threats of loss of employment, see item 8 in this post.)

Louisiana: No person shall knowingly, willfully, or intentionally: [i]ntimidate , directly or indirectly, any voter or prospective voter inany matter concerning the voluntary affiliation or nonaffiliation of a voter with anypoliticalparty.

Puerto Rico: Any employer who performs any act of prejudicial discrimination against [an employee because he is] affiliated with a certain political party, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

Virgin Islands: It shall be an unlawful discriminatory practice [f]or an employer, because of [the] political affiliation of any individual, to refuse to hire or employ or to bar or to discharge from employment such individual or to discriminate against such individual in compensation or in terms, conditions or privileges of employment.

Broward County (Florida): It is a discriminatory practice for an employer: [t]o fail or refuse to hire, to discharge, or to otherwise discriminate against an individual, with respect to compensation or the terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, because of a discriminatory classification [including "political affiliation," defined as "belonging to or endorsing any political party"] [except] where these qualifications are bona fide occupational qualifications reasonably necessary to the normal operation of that particular business or enterprise."

Urbana (Illinois): It shall be an unlawful practice for an employer [to discriminate against any employee or applicant] based wholly or partially on [an employee's belonging to or endorsing any political party or organization or taking part in any activities of a political nature] [except] where such factors are bona fide occupational qualifications necessary for such employment.

As an earlier post noted, Louisiana law also provides many employees protection against dismissal for political activities and not just for party membership.

[C.] Engaging in Electoral ActivitiesIllinois, New York, Washington

New York and Washington expressly bar employers from discriminating against employees for their election-related speech and political activities. (For more on another New York provision that may be relevant in non-election-related cases, see here.) Illinois law would likely be interpreted the same way, given the likelihood that threats of dismissal from employment would qualify as "intimidation" or "threat."

Illinois: Any person who, by force, intimidation, threat, deception or forgery, knowingly prevents any other person from (a) registering to vote, or (b) lawfully voting, supporting or opposing the nomination or election of any person for public office or any public question voted upon at any election, shall be guilty of a felony [and shall be subject to civil liability].

New York: (1) (a) "Political activities" shall mean (i) running for public office, (ii) campaigning for a candidate for public office, or (iii) participating in fund-raising activities for the benefit of a candidate, political party or political advocacy group.

(2)(a) [No employer may discriminate against an employee or prospective employee because of] an individual's [legal] political activities outside of working hours, off of the employer's premises and without use of the employer's equipment or other property [except when the employee is a professional journalist, or a government employee who is partly funded with federal money and thus covered by federal statutory bans on politicking by government employees].

(3)(a) [This section shall not be deemed to protect activity which] creates a material conflict of interest related to the employer's trade secrets, proprietary information or other proprietary or business interest

(4) [A]n employer shall not be in violation of this section where the employer takes action based on the belief that: (iii) the individual's actions were deemed by an employer or previous employer to be illegal or to constitute habitually poor performance, incompetency or misconduct.

Washington: No employer may discriminate against an employee for in any way supporting or opposing [or not supporting or opposing] a candidate, ballot proposition, political party, or political committee.

See the rest here:

Laws Protecting Private Employees' Speech and Political Activity Against Employer Retaliation: Focused on Political Opinions, Party Affiliation, or...

The Royal Family is both an anachronism and an absurdity. Just imagine for one moment that we were a republic in which everyone was a citizen of supposedly equal status. Then along comes a think-tank to suggest that we pick a posh family descended from Europeans and install them as hereditary heads of state, giving them not just castles, palaces, flunkies and immense wealth funded by our taxes, but also the right to rule over the rest of us as their lifetime subjects. The proposal would land somewhere between laughter and loud outrage.

As Charles I said shortly before his head was severed from his body on a chilly January day in 1649, a subject and a sovereign are clean different things. Yet despite that little hiccup for the hereditary principle, the monarchy has proved a remarkably robust institution in Britain, adapting with subtle skill despite occasional bouts of turbulence.

Even in this volatile era in which we have seen the destruction of deference, polls over the past 25 years show great consistency with a three-to-one margin of support for the royals over republicanism. As culture wars rip through our country and divide generations, the Crown stands alongside the armed forces and the sacred National Health Service in a trinity of national institutions still retaining respect. The Church is irrelevant, Parliament despised and the media distrusted, with even the BBC diminished.

This success is down to the dignity, diplomacy and obvious devotion to duty of the Queen over almost seven decades. In four years time she could overtake Louis XIV of France whose strife-torn reign coincided with Britains brief republicanism as the longest-ruling monarch in recorded European history. She has proved a formidable family matriarch, managing to remain largely aloof from the descent into velveteen soap opera that has transfixed lesser members of her firm. Yet even this doughty character cannot go on for ever.

And as we watch support grow for Scottish independence and see the latest round of conflict swirling around the monarch, with her California-based grandsons self-serving behaviour, it is hard not to wonder what will happen when she is no longer on the throne. There is, after all, no absolutist reason why the monarchy must remain for ever immune to the fury and fissures devastating most other national institutions. Prince Charles, serving perhaps the longest apprenticeship in history, is potentially a divisive figure with his quirky obsessions and political interventions.

I admire his long support for environmentalism and racial equality, but dislike his lobbying for homeopathy that possibly led to Tony Blair backtracking on rules to restrict sale of some quack medicines. This emerged after the Government was forced to release some of his black spider memos five years ago, which also revealed that the heir to the throne derided opponents of badger culling as intellectually dishonest.

It is said that Charles plans to slim down the Royal Family, although claims of aides squeezing his toothpaste and ironing his shoelaces do not help the image of a proclaimed moderniser.

Meanwhile, his tarnished brother lurks in the shadows, even avoiding cameras at his own daughters wedding. Prince Andrew hung out with a middle-aged, paedophilic tycoon surrounded by teenage girls, enjoying the parties and private islands but supposedly oblivious to abuse and depravity. Now the Duke of York is accused of evading American prosecutors investigating sex-trafficking. This bumptious figure is so detached from reality that he thought he looked good when giving the most disastrous British television interview for many years. He sprays around racist expressions, according to former Downing Street adviser Rohan Silva. It is hard not to conclude that the eighth in line to our throne is a ghastly buffoon.

Then there is the tragedy of Prince Harry, following his mothers lead with a well-sourced book that settles family scores in the most public manner possible. Just two years ago, he was the shining star of the royal show, a likeable former solder who married a glamorous mixed-race actress, promoted good causes and was the real moderniser of the clan.

Now he has fallen out with his brother, resigned from the family firm, sacked his staff and sits sulking in a Hollywood mansion where he poses as a political warrior and whinges about the unfairness of his luxurious life.

I have no idea of the rights and wrongs of the internal rows, nor the degree to which racism played a role against his wife, but he seems a lost and tormented individual.

It would be nice to think that we learned one lesson from the pandemic: the real heroes of our society are people such as care workers who risk lives for low wages, such is their dedication to public service, not vacuous celebrities and grandstanding royals who jet off abroad in a huff (and a private jet) after a few slights.

I tried to read the newspaper extracts from Finding Freedom, Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durands biography of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, but they contain the dullest dross about competitive brothers and wives failing to bond as in many other families. One thing is certain: this book increases the burden for Prince William and his wife, whose focus on issues such as mental health and early childhood has been good to see.

I have no strong feelings about the monarchys continued existence. I loathe the outmoded concept of a hereditary head of state, which sets the wrong lead for a class-ridden and heritage-obsessed country, yet there are so many more pressing reforms and the idea of electing a president amid our current divisions fills me with fear.

Maybe this latest royal tiff is merely an entertaining diversion for others amid disturbing global realities.

But as the Queen totters towards the inevitable end of her impressive reign, we should not exclude the possibility that insiders constantly chipping away at the House of Windsors foundations and riding the celebrity wave cause lasting damage to a rare institution that still unites the nation.

See the rest here:

The Royal Family has survived against the odds - but Harry and Meghan may cause lasting damage - iNews

If there's one thing that Taylor Swift is known for, it's her love life and the criticism that surrounds it. Perhaps Taylor's dating history is even more popular than her impressive music career. After all, her fans want to know everything there is to know about all of the celebrity guys she's dated. This includes just how wealthy the men in her life are.

Related: Tidbits About Taylor Swift And Joe Alwyns Relationship (That Tay Wants To Keep Quiet)

Of course, Taylor doesn't need a guy for his money. As fans might already know about Taylor Swift, she's won high-profile endorsement deals with a multitude of companies, sells album after album, and makes a colossal chunk of her income from touring. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Taylor's worth about $400 million. But how do the confirmed past men in her life stack up against this?

Among the lesser-known facts about Taylor Swift's love life is her time with Lucas Till. The only dated for a couple of months after co-starring in Taylor's "You Belong With me" music video.

Movie lovers probably recognize this handsome blond from the three X-Men prequels, as well asThe Spy Next Door, Battle Los Angeles, andas Travis Brody in Hannah Montana: The Movie. Still, all of these high-profile projects have only earned him about $2 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. While that's nothing to sneeze at, it's nowhere comparable to the other men in Taylor's life.

According to Instyle, the two only dated briefly in 2012 when Taylor was 22 and Conor was 18. For those politically inclined, Conor Kennedy is the grandson of Robert F. Kennedy.

Apparently, his family wasn't the biggest fans ofTaylor after she reportedly crashed the wedding of Conor's cousin. While her reps have denied it, InStylehas laid out some decent evidence of it.Though she and Conor are finished, he'll be fine since he had about $10 million to play around with, according to Celebrity Net Worth.

Tom Hiddleston's net worth is almost entirely owed to his role as Loki in the Thor and Avengers movies. But that shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. While he earned a relatively modest salary of $160,000 for the first Thor movie, he was bumped up to $800,000 for the first Avengers. Impressively, he earned $8 million for hisless than 15 minutes in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. The rest of his income has come from endorsement deals and his various other high-profile projects.

Hiddleston's romance with T-Swift was well-publicized and didn't last as long as many people predicted.

While The Jonas Brothers' combined net worth is absolutely massive, Joe's individual net worth doesn't earn him the top spot on this list. He still makes more than his brothers, for those who are interested.Joe Jonas' net worth is somewhere around $25 million, according to Men's Health. And that's without the financial help of his wife, Sophie Turner, who, without a doubt, has some funds due to Game of Thrones, X-Men, and modeling.

Related: Taylor Swift And Joe Alwyn Surprise Gigi Hadid On Her Birthday!

While Taylor's romance with Joe Jonas was short, it's famous for the 27-second phone call where he dumped her.

According to PopSugar, Taylor and Taylor Lautner met on the set of the film Valentine's Day. The two were together long enough to earn the nickname "Taylor Squared", but that's about all there is to say about it.

Lautner was once a mega-name in Hollywood thanks to the Twilight series, which is the main reason his net worth is a whopping $40 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. However, he did star in a number of films when he was a kid.

Without a doubt, Jake Gyllenhaal is the biggest movie star that Taylor Swift has dated, sorry, Tom Hiddleston. Gyllenhaal is pure talent, charm, authenticity, and is undeniably handsome. Not only is he a major name in Hollywood thanks to films like Spider-Man: Far From Home, Donnie Darko, and Brokeback Mountain, but it's also exceedingly rich. He's worth about $64 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.

The couple's 10-year age gap was the main reason they broke-up. But while they were together, they appeared to be inseparable.

Who hasn't John Mayer dated? He certainly made an impact on Taylor Swift. According to Instyle, Taylor's troubled relationship with John Mayer was the basis for the song "Dear John". Mayer even wrote a response song, "Paper Dolls".Anyone who knows anything about John Mayer was certain that his relationship with Taylor Swift was meant to be fleeting. But it still received a ton of press.

While Mayer doesn't have Taylor Swift money, he's reportedly worth around $70 million. This is how he's able to afford $300,000 watches, according to People.

Perhaps Taylor's relationship with former One Direction frontman Harry Styles is her most famous. Well, the breakup certainly was. After all, Styles' fans are just as loyal to him as Taylor Swift's fans are to her. Anyone who knows anything about social media culture wasn't surprised by the war that ensued between their fans after their highly-publicized breakup.

Related: Taylor Swifts 10 Most Incredible Career Accomplishments

Harry Styles is worth a fortune, to put it simply. According to Celebrity Net Worth, the handsome "Adore You" singer is worth$75 million (58 million).

The only one of Taylor Swift's exes who comes anywhere close to her incredible fortune is legendary DJ Calvin Harris. While he can't sing the way she can, he can certainly mix and produce. This has made him one of the world's most well-known and sought-after DJs. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Calvin Harris is worth $240 million.

Perhaps their combined net worths are why they were able to take so many luxurious holidays together to private islands nobody has ever heard of. Regardless, their romance was never meant to be.

Next: Ranking Taylor Swifts 10 Most Viewed Music Videos

Next Dwayne Johnsons 5 Closest Friends (& 5 Celebs He Avoids)

Dylan Parker is a list and content writer working for Valnet Inc. He's written for The Things, The Talko, Baby Gaga, Moms, and Screen Rant. He specializes in entertainment, film, and celebrity news. Dylan has also written for Narcity and various other entertainment, food, and travel publications.

View original post here:

Taylor Swifts 9 Richest Exes, Ranked By Net Worth | TheThings - TheThings

In a Glasgow postcode, just a short drive from the city centre, there exists an island home to a colony of wallabies. And no, we're not on the wind up.

Several of the cute red-necked marsupials can occasionally be seen on Inchconnachan, G63 OJG, after they were introduced to Loch Lomond by Lady Arran Colquhoun in the 1940s. 'Wallaby Island' has been a haven for the animals, which look like mini kangaroos, native to Australia and New Guinea, ever since.

And earlier this month, the private island was put up for sale, for a cool 500,000.

Described as 'extremely interesting' and 'eccentric', Lady Arran - who was also dubbed as the 'fastest granny on water' given her love for power boats - had a fondness for exotic animals including llamas and alpacas.

Lady Arran, who grew up on the banks of Loch Lomond, married Sir Arthur Gore in 1937 and the couple resided down south in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire.

But during World War II, she opted to move some of her wallabies to Inchconnachan, the site of her summer holiday home. And descendants of the colony still live on the island almost 80 years later.

However the existence of wallabies on the islet has been met with some resistance. Many believe they pose a threat to native grouse on Inchconnachan and there have been calls for the wallabies to be culled.

Fears for their future grew in 2017 when a dead wallaby, which had been skinned, washed up on a nearby beach. There were reports of the animals being 'over-run' by campers in the same year, while there has been speculation on their dwindling population in recent years.

Sightings have become more rare with some believing the animals may have made their way to other nearby islands to avoid the crowds.

Recent unconfirmed estimates suggest there are around 60 wallabies still living on Inchconnachan.

To those who know about their rather unusual home, some 9,000+ miles from Australia, the creatures remain a draw for tourists and visitors to Loch Lomond.

But how do you see them?

There is no passenger ferry service to the island, however you can hire a kayak or a boat on the Loch and park up at the jetty or beach on the island.

However, wallabies are considered shy, timid animals, with the best time to spot them at dawn or dusk.

We would recommend you take extreme care if making the trip out to Inchconnachan independently on the water, while also advising you respect the animals' space - they have been able to call the island 'home' for almost eight decades, and the hope for many, including no doubt the late Lady Arran, is that they continue to find a safe haven there for many more decades to come.

The abandoned house of Lady Arran Colquhoun can also be seen on the island, with recent visitors - who travelled by kayak - recounting their altogether "eerie" trip to the home, online.

Colourful character Lady Colquhoun passed away in 2013, aged 94, but not before exploring her love for the water further. In 1979, she broke a world record in her powerboat on Lake Windermere - the boat, included a nod to her love for Scotland and was named 'Skean-Dhu'.

We send a range of newsletters each day on the latest news, up to the minute stories and information on coronavirus, as well as the latest foodie news.

It's a daily email bulletin of the most important stories of the day - delivered straight to your inbox for you to read at your leisure - when you are ready.

To sign up, simply type your email address into the purple box at the top of this story, hit subscribe and we'll do the rest.

In her obituary article column in the Telegraph, it was reported an onlooker had said: "The Lady only has two speeds flat out, and stop!" Asked why she did it, she simply replied: "For Scotland".

You can see the full sale listing for Inchconnachanhere

Go here to read the rest:

The Loch Lomond island home to a colony of wallabies - Glasgow Live

Kriti Sanon made a splashing Bollywood debut, opposite Tiger Shroff in Heropanti, in 2014. The action-comedy made over fifty crore rupees (all India nett total), according to Box Office India, and firmly cemented Kriti Sanons arrival in Hindi cinema. But this wasnt her first rendezvous with the camera or a feature-length film.

In the same year, the actor starred in 1: Nenokkadine, a Telugu psychological-thriller, opposite Mahesh Babu. This film was also a commercial success. And since then, the actors roaring popularity has bagged her a number of diverse yet commercial flicks and a host of advertising contracts with brands like Vivel and Bata.

Last year, Kriti Sanon also made a comeback on Forbes coveted Celebrity 100 list. This list ranks celebrities based on an aggregate of their estimated earnings and fame quotient, via print and social media reach. Kriti Sanon bagged the 38th spot on it.

The list chalked up her total earnings at Rs 8.09 crore. This fortune was credited to her big 2019 releases: Luka Chuppi, Arjun Patiala and Housefull 4 and numerous brand endorsements, by the magazine. Notably, her endorsements also include a collaboration with Ms Taken, which markets itself as a Styled by Kriti Sanon brand online.

As we track her big earnings, lets also take a quick look at some of her biggest expenses, below.

The actor and her family reside at a sprawling home in Mumbais Juhu, decked with eclectic motifs, prints and furniture. According to Vogue India, the house is also equipped with a walk-in closet.

Kriti Sanon with the Audi Q7

Kriti Sanon is the proud owner of an Audi Q7. The car is capable of going from 0 to 100 kph in 7.1 seconds, and can hit an electronically limited top speed of 234 kph. Read more about it here.

The actor's a traveller at heart and spent a luxurious few days at the Niyama Private Islands in Maldives, last year. And while, we don't know when we'll be able to step foot here, we do know of four destinations that will pay for your travel and stay if you book your next holiday with them. Read all about them here.

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This is how much Kriti Sanon earned in a year, and how she spends her crores - GQ India

Please note our writers visited Crete prior to the coronavirus pandemic

For a laidback break without the worry of extra charges, weather, entertainment and excellent dining options, all-inclusive holidays to Crete are ideal. Most packages include premium beverages and la carte dining some even offer spa treatments and sports activities.From lazing on pristine Blue Flag beaches to discovering cultural wonders, theres plenty to see and do on Greeces largest island, but the plethora of food options, family facilities and fun activities offered at these Crete all-inclusive hotels might make it difficult to leave. Here's our pick of the best.

Adults looking for luxury Crete holidays with a 'Love Island' vibe will find this stylish resort, built around one of Europe's largest lagoon pools (inflatable giant flamingos are a nice extra touch), ticks all the boxes. Narrow bridges criss-cross the vast lagoon pool; couples lounge in sunken seating areas, or on islands dotted with beds and hammocks. Style is generally minimalist: all white with lots of blonde wood, canvas and bamboo,with retro touches in the rooms, suites and villas (from the 18 smallish second-floor pool-view rooms to the nine South Pacific-inspired overwater bungalows or 12 Island Villas with private pools).There's also a delightful light-filled spa and several restaurants.

More:

The best hotels for all-inclusive holidays to Crete, including family-friendly aqua parks and adults-only overwater villas - The Telegraph

Episode 1

Did you know that there are 12 thousand private islands in the world? On this episode of Private Islands we're showing you how to find your own secluded paradise.

Escape from the pressures of everyday life with Private Islands. On this episode were showing you how your front yard can be miles of palm trees and glittering coastline.

Join us as we explore the most magical and luxurious private resort island in the world. Owned by famed illusionist David Copperfield, Musha Cay provides a memorable one-of-a-kind experience like nowhere else on earth.

We're traveling 1,000 miles away from anywhere in search of the perfect private island. Forget about the jet lag because when you land in paradise, your dream becomes reality. It's first-class service on the private island of Desroches.

The Bahamas has grown into private island real estates most in-demand market. Escape to the most exotic and remote islands a multi-millionaire buyer, celebrity, or luxury-seeking tourist can find on this episode of Private Islands!

There's nothing like it in the Caribbean, or even in the world! The result of seven years of construction, Emerald Cay in Turks and Caicos combines pristine natural beauty with state-of-the-art luxury to provide the ultimate private island paradise.

Come see how the affluent are rediscovering themselves in the private island of Turks and Caicos. Immerse yourself in sunshine, sea and surf, just 500 miles off the coast of Florida. Life's short, but your quality time doesn't have to be!

Join host Christina Cindrich as she takes you on a magical journey through the private island of French Polynesia. Discover heaven on earth in your own utopian paradise full of beauty, adventure and above all, sheer escapism.

Tales of pirates, betrayal and hidden treasure all share a part of this island's past. There are some places on earth that simply must be experienced to fully understand and Peter Island in the British Virgin Islands is one of those places.

Roatan is one of the best kept secrets of the Caribbean. We take viewers on an underwater adventure and show the most luxurious private islands Honduras has to offer.

From Miami to colorful Key West, the Florida Keys have become one of the America's favorite tropical escapes. Join host Christina Cindrich as she takes you to some of the most secluded private islands for an experience that cannot be beat.

Join host Christina Cindrich in a country that combines both adventure and luxury into one complete island experience. With one foot planted in the mysterious jungles and the other dipped in the Caribbean Sea, Belize will awaken all of your senses.

Located off the coast of "The Spice Isle" Granada in the Caribbean is one of the most luxurious private islands you'll ever see. Calivigny Island is truly the ultimate escape for the affluent traveler in search of their own slice of paradise.

Youll live as few have lived before in a place where the finest luxuries co-exist in absolute harmony with nature. This is Little Bokeelia Island, a private island paradise that could be yours!

Join host Christina Cindrich as she takes you to one of the worlds most exotic destinations, Fiji! Noted for its magical landscape, stunning beaches, and friendly people, these islands are a spectacular taste of heaven right here on Earth.

Join host Christina Cindrich in the postcard perfect island nation of Fiji. With its white sandy beaches, fascinating culture and magical underwater world, this is an unforgettable Private Island experience that youll never want to be rescued from!

Join host Christina Cindrich on a 300-acre private island paradise off the coast of Antigua. With its gorgeous villas and multi-million dollar estates, Jumby Bay's beauty will cast an unforgettable spell of serene enchantment.

Join host Christina Cindrich for an unforgettable experience on two Four Seasons luxury island resorts in the Maldives. Your postcard perfect paradise will come to life right before your eyes in a destination that will surely take your breath away.

Experience the romance of the South Pacific, the laid-back beauty of the Caribbean, the adventure of Central America and the exotic splendor of Asia. Host Christina Cindrich takes you to her top 10 most incredible private islands in the world.

Perhaps nowhere else in Thailand can you enjoy the combination of sun, beach and nightlife quite like in Phuket. Thailand's largest and most popular island seduces its visitors with a vibrant mix of nighttime entertainment and beach culture.

Isla Simca is a jungle hideaway where natural beauty, art, adventure and architecture fuse into a one-of-a-kind retreat. Join host Christina Cindrich on this Panamanian island that until now has been hidden away from the world's prying eyes!

The Grenadines, an island chain deep in the Caribbean. The name alone elicit visions of exotic and peaceful scenery. St. Vincent being the largest, but away from the hustle and traffic, become mesmerized by the beauty of these castaway islands.

The name Laucala is whispered in all the best circles partly because only the best know how to pronounce it. Owned by the co-founder of Red Bull, this Fijian paradise is one of the worlds top island resorts and once there its easy to see why.

Conjuring up postcard-perfect images of South Pacific indulgence and breathtaking scenery, Bora Bora is a haven of exclusive luxury in French Polynesia. Join host Christina Cindrich in this exclusive Private Islands episode you wont want to miss!

Join host Christina Cindrich in a destination known as the real Africa. With its private river islands and abundance of wildlife, Zambia gives an authentic feeling of a wilderness that is wild, beautiful, and slightly unpredictable.

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Private Islands AWE

A travel corridor which would exempt British holidaymakers from UK quarantine is imminent, suggests tourism leader

The Maldives reopened to international tourists on July 15; Britons are not required to quarantine on arrival or present a negative Covid-19 test.

As resorts gradually welcome back guests and airlines increase services, British holidaymakers can enjoy a stay on one of the 1,192 coral islands, albeit facing quarantine on their return.

The Maldives is excluded from the Foreign Office (FCO) advisory against all but essential travel, making it less arduous to secure travel insurance for a trip there.

However, the country has yet to be included on the UK Governments travel corridors list, which means those travelling from the Maldives to the UK are required to self-isolate for 14 days.

This could soon change. Mr Thoyyib Mohamed, managing director of Maldives Marketing and PR Corporation, told Telegraph Travel: With the Maldives High Commission in the United Kingdom and the government of Maldives, discussions are underway to ease the travel restrictions for travellers from the UK. We hope that the Maldives will soon meet the conditions required for an easing of [the UK's] travel and border measures."

Tour operators have urged for the inclusion of this Indian Ocean nation, which lends itself to socially-distanced holidays think overwater villas for two and private beach dining.

"It's time for the UK Government to adopt a more pragmatic approach to its air bridge and quarantine advice, to help the travel industry, Brian Young, managing director of tour operator G Adventures, told Telegraph Travel. "Places like the Maldives are perfect for those wanting a remote holiday, with secluded accommodation, private villas and small sailing options [...] providing an ideal option for those wanting to create a physically distanced bubble holiday with close friends or family.

There are further signs that the Maldives could be included in the Governments next batch of travel corridors. An amendment to the FCO advice page for the country mirrors a note added to each of the countries included in the first batch of exemptions in the days before the first official announcement of travel corridors.

Derek Jones, chief executive of Kuoni, told Telegraph Travel that he is hopeful there will soon be a Government update on Maldives travel advice .As it stands now we see no reason why it shouldnt be added [...]. The destination has done a lot of work with hotel partners to create plans for keeping customers safe.

The tourism industry accounts for nearly 30 per cent of GDP in the Maldives, so its reopening has been a priority.

Abdulla Shahid, the archipelagos minister for foreign affairs, referred to a sense of relief and excitement as the country welcomes back tourists.

Among a population of 540,000, the country has recorded 2,831 cases of the virus and 15 deaths, as of July 16.

Below we answer the key questions for those considering a holiday in the Maldives.

Yes, Britons can holiday at a resort without having to quarantine on arrival.

International tourists can enter the Maldives, without quarantine, at Velana International Airport in Mal, as of July 15. Visitors are not required to present a negative Covid-19 test on arrival, or to pay any additional fees.

The Maldives requires passengers on flights to the country to wear face masks, with exemptions for children under six and those with certain medical conditions.

Tourists are required to fill out a Traveller Health Declaration Form 24 hours before departing for the Maldives. They are also encouraged to download the Trace Ekee contract tracing app before landing in the country.

Temperature and screening checks are set up for arriving passengers with quarantine facilities installed for any suspected cases of the virus.

Those displaying symptoms on arrival are required to take a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test at their own cost or at the cost of the tourism facility where they are due to stay. Additionally, local health authorities may conduct random testing, at no cost to travellers.

Yes, airlines are offering a handful of flights to the Maldives with connections in the Middle East.

Emirates and Qatar Airways are running services between London and Mal. Mal Velana International Airport is on Hulhul Island and serves as a gateway for international tourists. Transfers to your resort will be by boat, sea plane or a domestic flight. Return flights are available in July, starting from 620, with Emirates.

Qatar Airways resumed flights to the Maldives on July 15 out of Doha, offering connections through major hubs, including London.

Etihad resumed flights from Abu Dhabi to the Maldives from July 16. Turkish Airlines is tentatively starting flights from July 17.

Initially, international tourists will only be able to stay at resorts. Hotels and guest houses located on inhabited islands will be allowed to open from August 1, 2020.

Of more than 150 resorts in the Maldives, at least 40 are set to reopen in the latter half of July. This includes resorts that have stayed open throughout worldwide lockdowns and travel restrictions.

Among the popular resorts welcoming guests are: Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, three Four Seasons resorts (Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa; Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah; Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru), Soneva Fushi (the original barefoot Maldives retreat) and Soneva Jani.

More will follow suit in August; around 50 more will resume business in September and October.

Tourists are only initially allowed into island resorts, with the exemption for those transferring from the international airport to their hotel.

Despite the resumption of tourism, the country extended its state of public health emergency until August 7. However, restrictions have been eased with government offices and businesses, including shops,cafs and restaurants, having reopened since July 1.

The Maldives Government has given Safe Tourism licences to businesses that meet legislation and safety rules, such as having a medical professional on call or the required stock of PPE.

Rules vary among island resorts. Guests of Soneva properties, for example, will be issued a mask on arrival and be tested for Covid-19. They will then be required to self-isolate in their room or villa until the results come back, which could be up to 24 hours. If the test comes back negative, they will be free to move around the resort, but will need to undergo daily temperature checks and another test on the fourth day of their stay.

You might consider that this is excessive and that were being overcautious, said Sonu Shivdasani, chief executive of Soneva, in a video explaining the process. Yet he said the aim was to make all our private islands Covid-free environments so the guests can truly relax and engage with our hosts (and) fellow guests.

Hilton is slowly reopening its properties on the island nation its guests will have their temperatures checked, but will not be required to take Covid-19 tests.

The company has rolled out new guidelines called Hilton CleanStay for all of its properties. Measures include increased cleaning of public spaces and putting a seal on the doors after cleaning a room to show customers that nobody has since entered.

Meanwhile, Marriott International, which plans to reopen its Maldives resorts in October, is putting in new policies, such as requiring guests to sit at the same table each day for breakfast.

More:

Can I visit the Maldives? Here's how to do it as the islands reopen to tourism - Telegraph.co.uk

By PTI

KOCHI:In a heart-rending incident, a nine-day old infant suffering from serious heart ailment died on Sunday despite being flown in a chopper from Lakshadweep islands to the port city for better medical care.

The infant was brought to Cochin International Airport in a helicopter arranged by the Lakshadweep administration.

The child, however, died due to cardiac arrest while it was being transported in a special ambulance to a private hospital here, a hospital spokesman said.

The infant's death was confirmed by the doctors at the hospital.

The ailing new-born was airlifted from Lakshadweep under the supervision of a medical board.

The new-born was diagnosed with serious heart ailment soon after its birth nine days ago.

When its condition worsened, the doctors of the island hospital decided to bring it to Kochi to provide better treatment and the Lakshadweep administration made all arrangements for its travel.

Link:

Infant with heart condition airlifted from Lakshadweep islands to Kochi for treatment, dies - The New Indian Express

There may be no better way to find escape from the pandemic than the glorious seclusion of a Caribbean private island resort.

Social distancing is a given when youre sharing an exclusive dot of land in the middle of the ocean with a relative handful of other guests and resort staff.

At some, like the legendary Petit St. Vincent (opening Nov. 1), you can literally limit your human contact to a few minutes at check-in and check-out, simply raising a flag at your private villa when you need food, drink, or other essentials discreetly dropped at your door.

At others, its possible to rent out the entire island especially useful if you want to limit your vacation interactions to a group of responsible, mask-wearing friends and family.

Not every Caribbean private island resort has reopened in the wake of COVID-19; the British Virgin Islands, home to several of the top resorts in the Caribbean, remains closed to international visitors, for example. But here are some great private islands where you can relax in luxury and safety this summer: (Note: due to recent changes, you can fly to The Bahamas only through private airlines or charter flights and airlines like Tropic Ocean Airways.)

Ambergris Cay, Turks & Caicos

Just a short hop by air from Providenciales, Ambergris Cay has a collection of beautiful whitewashed villas lined up before a shimmering swath of white sand, customized dining, attentive staff, and a wide range of activities from exploring the island on electric golf carts to romantic dining on a middle-of-nowhere sandbar. Daily spa treatments are included in room costs. It reopens with the Turks and Caicos Islands relaunch July 22.

Continued here:

From The Bahamas to Turks and Caicos, 7 Private Islands You Can Visit - Caribbean Journal

From serene and ultra-luxurious resorts, many of which are located along the emirates sprawling shoreline and some on exclusive private islands, to expansive parks showcasing adventure and a range of camping options, the laid-back side of this extraordinary emirate is sure to impress you, with stunning vistas, old-fashioned charm and unique culture.

Sir Bani Yas Island

Jebel Hafit Desert Park

Zaya Nurai Island

Saadiyat Rotana Resort and Villas

When in Abu Dhabi, seclusion is just a short drive away and always comes with the ultimate comfort and luxury. The emirates stunning resorts, islands and parks offer the best service and unparalleled vistas that provide you with a distinct escape from the touristy throngs. They also pack in several activities and adventures that are distinct to this region, ensuring that it is a unique and authentic trip that you and your loved ones will always cherish.

Cannot wait to be in Abu Dhabi? Well, we have some good news. Now, you can virtually explore this magnificent city while sitting right at home. Check out the immersive #StayCurious campaign that lets you escape to this stunning destination without setting foot in it!

Disclaimer: This article has been produced on behalf of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi by Times Internets Spotlight team.

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Looking to unwind outside the city? Abu Dhabis stunning resorts, islands and parks are ideal for some quiet time - Happytrips