Tag Archives: Maldives

45th Parallel Marker in ‘Perry’, Maine — & Its Significance.

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by Anura Guruge
on March 23, 2023.

Click to ENLARGE.
Click to ENLARGE. Link to original at: ‘Atlas Obscura’.

Surroundings on either direction of Route 1.

Somebody asked me about this marker, last year, on one of my trips to the ‘Bold Coast‘.

I was not aware of it (though I later discovered that I had driven by it, once).

So, when I was back on the ‘Bold Coast‘ a couple of weeks ago I made a point of going to see it. Nothing much to see, BUT it is neat just to say that you have visited.

What is the significance? It is the 1/2-way point between the Equator & the North Pole. That is it.

It got me thinking. I spent nearly 14-years of my life living very close to the equator. But, despite having travelled around the globe more than most I have yet to CROSS the equator. Wow. I thought I had when I visited the Maldives (twice). Appears I didn’t. WOW. Sobering. Well you can see the span of latitude I have travelled. Pretty sad.

Well, I just wanted to make sure you knew about this.

That Sri Lanka (Or For That Matter The Maldives Nor Thailand) Makes This ‘Best Beaches In The World’ List Seems Strange.

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by Anura Guruge
on February 28, 2023

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Click to ENLARGE. For CNN original.

Yes, yes, I appreciate that this is BUT a ‘Tripadvisor’ poll & their polls are not that representative. It also, of course, depends on the number of people writing reviews & taking part in the poll. With COVID the financial crisis tourism to Sri Lanka has dropped in the last few years & that also has to be a factor.

I haven’t been to Sri Lanka, the Maldives or Thailand of late, but I know that they have some world-class & duly celebrated beaches. Hence my skepticism on seeing this list.

I used to write a LOT of reviews for Tripadvisor BUT I stopped when I saw that they were reluctant to post bad reviews. That is not right. That is not cricket. So, their lists no doubt are skewed.

I am interested in seeing what you think. Yes, I am sure Brazilian beaches are a LOT of fun. So, I have no gripes with that. ICELAND? Do you have to wear a parka & gloves? Interesting.

‘Pickering House’, ‘Wolfeboro’, New Hampshire — The #4 Best Hotel In The World?

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by Anura Guruge
on July 15, 2022

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Click to ENLARGE. Link to the ‘Travel + Leisure’ awards.
Click to ENLARGE. #2 & #3 ahead of Wolfeboro’s ‘Pickering House‘.
Click to ENLARGE. NO! Not the ‘Pickering House’. ‘The Inn on the Warf‘, Lubec, Maine — my room when I was there exactly a month ago.

What do YOU think?

The ‘Pickering House’ in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, the #4 BEST HOTEL in the WORLD!

Wow.

WOW?

I have never been in (as of yet). One word — COVID. [I did know the previous owner.]

There is just one thing that confuses & confounds I. Even if you are at hotel for your honeymoon (or even a ‘dirty weekend’ or a one night stand) you appreciate the setting of the hotel & the views from your window (especially if you can see them while lying in bed (or doing some other thing in bed). That is what gets me.

No question, at all, at all. The Pickering House has been lovingly & magnificently renovated. Bravo (& thanks). I have already taken quite a few pictures of the exterior. It is a work of architectural beauty. But, the LOCATION & VIEWS.

It is NOT even waterfront. And while Lake Winnipesaukee is LOVELY & I have owned 3 waterfront homes on that lake, I have bummed around the world enough to know that there are better views. [Yes, I have been to the Maldives (#3 above) twice — but, LUCKILY, well ahead of the tourist boom. When I went, there were NO hotels in the Maldives!]

That is it. I am not going to harp on. I love Wolfeboro. I will be going through it tomorrow. I am GLAD for the new owners of the Pickering House. They have spent a lot of money on it. Good for them. But, #4 in the World!

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