Add Martinique to the list of destinations that you can reach via a Disney ship.
Disney today announced that it'll offer its first regular sailings to the Caribbean island in early 2016 out of San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The new seven-night Southern Caribbean voyages also will include stops in Barbados, Grenada, Antigua and St. Kitts. The sailings will take place on the 1,750-passenger Disney Magic with four departures in 2016 scheduled for Jan. 10, 17, 24 and 31.
A Disney ship has called at Martinique only once before during a special holiday sailing in 2010.
Bookings for the new Southern Caribbean itinerary open on Oct. 30 with fares starting at $980 per person, based on double occupancy and not including taxes, fees and port expenses.
Disney today also announced a new seven-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary out of Port Canaveral for 2016 that will include a call at Tortola as well as St. Thomas and Disney's private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay.
The sailings will take place on both the Disney Fantasy and the Disney Magic with 11 departure dates from January through April 2016. Fares start at $1,120 per person, based on double occupancy.
Just how much pampering is there on a luxury cruise ship? Now you can see for yourself right here at USA TODAY's Cruise Hub.
Part 5 of our six-part video series on the recently revamped Seven Seas Mariner, in the carousel above, offers an insider's look at the wide range of indulgences available to passengers on the vessel, from hot stone massages to elegant wine tastings.
USA TODAY Travel received special access last month to all-suite, all-balcony ship, which is operated by Regent Seven Seas Cruises and emerged from a major makeover in April.
PHOTO TOUR: The luxury of the revamped Seven Seas Mariner
We'll be posting the final installment of the series here at USA TODAY's Cruise Hub on Wednesday. Part 1 of the series, which offers an overview of the Seven Seas Mariner's recent makeover, is located HERE. Part 2, 3 and 4 of the series, which focus on the ship's dining, entertainment and all-suite accommodations, respectively, are HERE,HERE and HERE.
For a deck-by-deck look at the revamped spaces on Seven Seas Mariner, don't miss our new, comprehensive Cruise Ship Tour of the vessel in the carousel below.
Travel is like an excellent book. It gives you a fresh perspective on reality, refreshes your soul, gives you a sense of being in touch with yourself again and leaves you with a feeling of catharsis.
Your passions and aspirations start regenerating and you are left wondering why you do not do this more often. More than anything else, travel tends to offer a powerful spiritual experience, like the day you first believed. And like in the case of a good book, you never forget a single detail of a good trip.
Memorable experiences
You never forget the morning you travelled to Matemwe beach on the northern shores of Zanzibar, where you watched in awe, village women seated in those shallow salty waters of the Indian Ocean, farming seaweed or the dhow race that took place later that day.
You never forget your first experience on a German autobahn, a speedway with no speed limit, when you rode a motorcycle from Hamburg to Frankfurt and back. Sheer adrenaline. It is this newness you encounter so far away from home that truly brings you so close to home. It captures your imagination and quenches your natural thirst for adventure.
The allure of the forest
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is one such place. It is one of the most prized tourist destinations in Uganda. The high-altitude rain forest is home to the largest population of mountain gorillas in the world, at over 400 of these endangered giant primates.
The forest has an aura like no other. It is cold and dark, (the word Bwindi means darkness), yet these very gloomy qualities make it exceptionally inviting. The intensity of the smells from the forest, a mixture of moth, mushroom, aging tree bark and all sorts of herbs are all soothing to the soul.
The air is so thin, your lungs skip a beat. Because of the high-altitude, you get the sense that you are approaching the cusp of the unknown. Your city-dwelling body is not used to this alien environment. It is glorious.
The slow, two-hour climb into the National Park from Kabale Town is a separate thrill on its own. The drive up the forested ranges is punctuated by the constant popping of your ears as you go higher and higher into the ranges.
The ferns and the bamboo reeds and the general shrubbery on the forest floor are as menacing and mysterious as the giant trees that have never seen an axe since the creation story.
Credit: Daily Monitor
They say all great mysteries begin at the end and end at the very beginning; River Nile is a perfect picture to accompany that phrase.
We all know where it ends, pouring northward through the sudans, where it meets its biggest tributary, the Blue Nile before heading to Egypt and finally into the Mediterranean Sea. But locating, let alone, agreeing on the origins of this magnificent river, has befuddled the world since time immemorial. The Bible and the Quran both hint on this mystery and both ancient and present day voyagers have waded in with their own suggestions.
John Hannington Speke has been principally credited as the man who discovered the source of the Nile which he pinned down at the Ripon Falls on Lake Victoria in Jinja centuries ago.
But almost every year, a new person claims to have found the “true” source of the world’s longest river and the debate goes on and on.
Last month, one of the world’s largest scientific and educational establishments; National Geographic, joined the fray as they premiered a television series titled Wild Nile on their NatGeo Wild platform (DStv Channel 182).
The series opens with an establishment shot of the sky-hugging Mountains of the Moon; then the camera rises from a tropical forest through alpine valleys to the glaciers that crown the various mountain ranges. Close-ups of the snow-capped peaks of Rwenzori is a sight to behold. The legendary three-horned chameleon and the shimmering Ruwenzori Turaco – both endemic to this region – make an early appearance on this naturally-embellished stage of geographic wonder. Rwenzori is dotted with many small rivers but it is River Mobuku – notoriously famous for flooding and swallowing human lives – that gets a good feature here.
Then the narrator elaborates that White Nile – which is the Nile’s headwaters – starts with the melting snow of Rwenzori and the rains of mountains of Rwanda and Burundi all which send their waters downwards into Lakes Edward and Albert before feeding Lake Victoria which eventually spouts the Nile out northwards.
Well, another rather other sources of the Nile. But the clearest of all things throughout this argument has always been that River Nile flows out of Lake Victoria at Jinja making it the only place where one can see something tangible to call a source. Jinja is the ‘official’ source of the Nile and it was recently declared one of the seven wonders of Africa by the Seven Wonders of Africa Project.
About The documentary
The three-part documentary series looks critically at the different possible sources of the Nile before taking viewers on a truly spectacular journey along the Nile, revealing the secret lives of its inhabitants.
The first part Wild Nile. Paradise Found explores the different sources of the Nile while the second part Wild Nile: Heart Of Darkness continues the story from when the river leaves Lake Victoria to progress peacefully through Murchison Falls National Park until the third part Wild Nile: River Of Kings is introduced as the river reaches Sudan. The last part looks at the Blue Nile tributary which originates from Ethiopia. In Wild Nile: Paradise Found, which premiered on September 9, National Geographic claims that the “Nile’s source can be pinned down to the area of the Rwenzori mountain ranges in Uganda.”
Rwenzori, a possible source
But some experts have argued that a source of a river has to be a melting glacier at a higher altitude and it cannot be a lake because something else has to feed the lake first hence Rwenzori Mountain and other water bodies around the great lakes region coming into the picture here.
Gladly, National Geographic doesn’t allow the bigger story of the significance of the Nile to the people and wildlife living on its banks it to get lost into the argument of the source.
The series confirms just how, for instance, in Uganda alone – the Nile has a herculean effect on the people and wildlife creating and supporting some of the country’s best tourism products.
Straight from the source at Jinja, the Nile turns Uganda into the best adventure destination in the region thanks to a range of activities, including the best white-water rafting in the world, bungee jumping, quad biking and camping.
Move to Murchison Falls and the Nile presents a spectacle of a waterfall squeezing through a 6-metre rocky gorge to fall 43 metres which is the hardest water drop in the whole world.
This is no ordinary river and this definitely is not an ordinary storyline of source to sea; Wild Nile series explores the countless waterways, islands and lakes that support the entire river system and looks at some of the river’s most fascinating inhabitants using state-of-the-art cameras to slow down and capture fast moving animals in all their glory.
Source: Daily Monitor
South African football captain Senzo Meyiwa will be buried on Saturday in his home town of Umlazi after he was shot dead in an apparent robbery.
Meyiwa’s club the Orlando Pirates announced plans for his funeral today. It said it will be partly organised by the local government in the province of Kwazulu-Natal.
The 27-year-old goalkeeper was shot and killed in an apparent house robbery in Vosloorus township near Johannesburg on Sunday, leading to an outpouring of dismay and anger in South Africa.
Police have launched a huge operation to find three suspects in the killing.
Top South African sporting officials including sports minister Fikile Mbalula, football association president Danny Jordaan and national team coach Ephraim Mashaba are planning to visit Meyiwa’s family today to offer their condolences.
Source:breakingnews.ie
Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley continued what appears to be a stealth takeover of Rangers on Tuesday with former Newcastle managing director Derek Llambias travelling to Glasgow to discuss a role at the troubled Scottish club.
British businessman Ashley, who owns almost nine percent of the voting rights of Rangers, provided 2.0 million pounds ($3.22 million) of funding for the financially-stricken club on Monday in return for the removal of chief executive Graham Wallace.
Wallace, who had been chief executive since last November, followed financial consultant Philip Nash out of the Scottish Championship (second tier) club after he quit last week.
Llambias travelled to Glasgow on Monday but remained tightlipped about his role at the 54-times Scottish champions.
"I've been invited up here for talks with the board - I'm one of many applicants," Llambias told Sky Sports News.
But Sandy Easdale, who controls 26 percent of Rangers shares, said on Tuesday that Llambias is working as a consultant, having previously backed Ashley's investment in the club.
"Mike's a very wealthy individual and he really does want to help the club," he said. "I would hope (it will bring stability), we've got to look forward now.
"The fans have heard so much over so many years but I can only say we've got somebody who is interested in helping the club and we can only look at it as a positive thing."
Ashley said last month that he had no intention of selling Newcastle for at least two years, but his motives have been called into question by the Scottish Football Association who have asked for clarification from Rangers about his intentions.
If Ashley were to take control of Rangers then he could also come up against a UEFA ruling which states that teams owned by the same person are not allowed to compete in the same European competition.
The 50-year-old has been hugely unpopular with Newcastle fans since taking over in 2007 for the way he has run the Premier League club, but Ashley's involvement with Rangers is positive according to manager Ally McCoist.
"The news of Mike's involvement is good news," the Rangers boss said. "I've said all along the club needs investment, so we've got it.
"Change is always a concern but I have been told that this change is moving the club forward, which is absolutely fantastic."
($1 = 0.6204 British Pounds)
Source: reuters.com
Afcon results
Algeria 3-1 Ethiopia
Cape Verde 3-1 Niger
Egypt 0-1 Senegal
Togo 1-4 Guinea
Angola 0-0 Gabon
Congo 0-2 Nigeria
Cameroon 1-0 D.R. Congo
Lesotho 0-1 Burkina Faso
Mozambique 0-1 Zambia
South Africa 2-1 Sudan
Uganda 1-0 Ghana
Malawi 2-0 Mali
Saturday’s display may have not been box office material, but few will beat its significance as Uganda continue the fight to get rid of the ‘since 1978’ tag. Yes. It has been that long, the Nations Cup absence.
But the moment when defender Savio Kabugo raced to head in from that Mike Sserumaga corner for Uganda’s goal on nine minutes could have edged the country closer to ending that misfortune.
It was a team effort, nonetheless. Dennis Onyango had little to deal with but his authority and command of an equally notable backline of skipper Andy Mwesigwa, Kabugo and Brian Majwega was impressive.
Tonny Mawejje was majestic in front of them, although subdued Geoffrey Massa did not get the service he would have wanted. But there was an inspiring second half performance from Daniel Sserunkuma, who replaced injured Yunus Ssentamu.
One inescapable trait in that Cranes team, even Ghana self-destructed or wasted their chances through profligate Christian Atsu and Majeed Waris, was the ‘fight.’ The boys had a fight.
It is the same fight they will have taken to Casablanca, Morocco last evening, where a draw against Guinea on Wednesday will be enough to see Uganda qualify, regardless of what happens between Ghana and Togo.
“We shall prepare ourselves very much because even for Ghana, Guinea and Togo, it is obsession to repeat it; an obsession to go back to the Africa Cup of Nations,” said Cranes coach Micho Sredojevic.
“For us it is a dream, and a dream is always bigger than obsession. So the dream has to be our driving force.”
With one game to go, Ghana top Group E standings with eight points, Uganda and Guinea both on seven but the Cranes with a better goal difference, and Togo with six.
PLAYER RATINGS
5. Farouk Miya. Like it was in the recent 3-0 friendly win over Ethiopia, Miya looked lost in the middle.
6/5. Mike Sserumagga. The ball was never around his left foot as he would have wanted. His corner kick assisted Kabugo’s winner but didn’t pick out the strikers and wingers regularly.
5/5. Luwagga Kizito. His form seemed to have gone out of the window as early as Match Day 2. He struggled to impress against Ghana’s wing-backs Harrison Afful and Baba Rahman.
4. Yunus Sentamu. He wasn’t in the best shape to start this fixture. The vindication was the yellow card he got in frustration after fouling Ayew before giving way to Sserunkuma.
6. Geoffrey Massa. His solo runs didn’t bother the Jonathan Mensah and John Boye combo but kept them busy.
7. Daniel Sserunkuma. He had a good overall and probably, should have started with Massa. The Gor Mahia forward often dropped off to give Majwega support.
6. Geoffrey Kizito. Despite joining the camp late, Kizito neutralized Mubarak Wakaso, Badu and Asante’s offensive efforts.
Source: Daily Monitor
Organisers are confident West Indies will take part at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand early next year despite the crisis caused by their withdrawal from the tour of India earlier this month.
West Indies, who won the first two World Cup tournaments in 1975 and 1979 and reached the quarter-finals in India in 2011, are always among the most popular teams at the 50-over showpiece.
Caribbean cricket was plunged into turmoil on Oct. 17, however, after the series in India was aborted over a protracted payment dispute between the players and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).
India's powerful cricket board (BCCI) responded by suspending all future tours involving West Indies as well as taking legal action against the WICB, which could have a devastating financial impact on cricket in the region.
John Harnden, the chief executive of the World Cup, said there was a contingency plan in place for a West Indies no-show but doubted it would be needed.
"We see that everyone's very focused on resolving the situation as quickly as possible," he told reporters on Tuesday.
"We've got 108 days until the World Cup and from our point of view I've no doubt the West Indies will be here and entertaining the crowd as only they know how."
West Indies are scheduled to open their campaign against Ireland in Nelson, New Zealand on Feb. 16 and also play defending champions India, South Africa, Pakistan and Zimbabwe and the United Arab Emirates in Pool B.
The World Cup runs from Feb. 14 to March 29.
Source:reuters.com
The introduction of rugby 7s is one of several changes expected at the East Africa University Games (EAUG) due December 17-21.
“In order to fight mercenaries we have hut in place new measures like the introduction of team albums,” Local Organising Committee vice-president Vincent Kisenyi announced while receiving a Shs5m sponsorship package from Joint Medical Stores (JMS) in Nsambya yesterday. In all the past eight editions, rugby has been played in a 15s format and the introduction of the shorter code is expected to add more flavour to the Games due at Uganda Christian University (UCU) Mukono.
According to Kisenyi, who is also the National University Sports Federation of Uganda (Nusfu) vice-president, 53 universities have already confirmed participation in the event.
Age limit for participants has also been raised from 27 to 29 years but sportsmen awaiting graduation won’t be allowed to compete as has previously been the case. Kisenyi revealed 60 per cent of the Shs1.2b Games budget has been catered for but appealed for more corporate support. The JMS package, includes drugs and medical equipment to cater for all participants.
Source: Daily Monitor
Real Madrid will appeal a three-month suspension slapped on assistant B team coach Zinedine Zidane for not having the correct licence, the club says.
The former Real and France midfielder was sanctioned by the Spanish football federation for allegedly acting as head coach of third tier Real Madrid Castilla even while Santiago Sanchez, who was also banned for three months, nominally held the post.
In a statement on their website, Real expressed their ''absolute disagreement with the decision'' and said they would ''pursue every available legal avenue so that this decision is overturned''.
''Not least because Zinedine Zidane has been authorised by the French football federation (FFF) to work as a head coach in the category Real Madrid Castilla currently play in, as the certificate issued by the federation from October 2014 states,'' they added.
A World Cup winner with France in 1998, when he scored two goals in the final against Brazil, Zidane played for Real from 2001 until his retirement in 2006.
The 42-year-old also netted a spectacular volley for Real to win the 2002 Champions League final against Bayer Leverkusen.
Castilla were relegated from the second division last season, before Zidane joined the coaching staff. They are currently 14th in Group 2 of the regional four-group ''Segunda B'', or third tier.
source:stuff.co.nz
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