travel.yourdailyslice.com

Corum Miss Golden Bridge Watch

The best part about Corum's Miss Golden Bridge watch is that it isn't just about the cool movement inside. The ladies' mechanical watch has an extremely elegant shape that looks as smooth as it feels. Coming in 18k red or white gold, the case is 21mm wide by 41mm tall. You can see that the case is fitted with four sapphire crystal windows on each side of the case. This is to provide a proper view into the famous Golden Bridge movement done exclusively by Corum. The thin and tall movement is really hard to make, and thankfully easy to love. The movement bridge itself is nicely hand engraved, which contrasts well with the simple polished case. While the watch is hard to read, that is something that you can say about most haute horology women's watches. Two dark-toned skeletonized hands are placed in the middle of the movement.

if the gold case and beauty of the movement at all angles isn't enough for you, drop some extra cash for the diamond studded version with 90 diamonds all over the case. Some say that diamonds sell more women's watches than interesting mechanics - but what happens when you have both as is the case here? Price for the Corum Miss Golden Bridge watch starts in the $25,000 range.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Corum Miss Golden Bridge

Filed under: Timepieces

Corum Miss Golden Bridge Watch originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 20 Mar 2010 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Photo of the Day (03.20.10)

Filed under: Asia, China, Photo of the Day

This photo by Flickr user jwannie is entitled "How to build a salad tower." The bright oranges and yellows caught my eye when I fist saw the thumbnail and that's why I clicked on the image. As for what a salad tower is and why it's so comical, I defer to the accompanying blog post on frites & fries for a full explanation.

I recently received an e-mail forward from my dad about the Chinese Pizza Hut salad bar from a Chinese colleague. The Pizza Huts there typically offers a salad bar but you can only fill it once in a small salad bowl - I think the salad is a free with purchase type of deal. To get their money's worth, some people use their fantastic engineering skills to build salad towers.

I support this ingenuity 100%. You get way more food for your money and it's salad, so it's healthy. Way better than those Domino's Pasta Bread Bowls.

Have a photo of some food that used for an impromptu game of Jenga? Submit your images to Gadling's Flickr group right now and we might use it for a future Photo of the Day.

Photo of the Day (03.20.10) originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 20 Mar 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Burberry Check Print Knotted Shoulder Bag, Handbag of the Day

Of course Burberry never seems to get it wrong, this time doing understated and timeless chic in a mix of signature checks and finely arranged knots in the Check Print Knotted Shoulder Bag. Primarily khaki with hints of red, white, and gray in the oversized pattern, this versatile day bag has goldtone hardware, a small but prominently placed logo plaque, and a single rolled leather handle. Made primarily of cotton with calfskin leather accents, it features a zip-top closure and upscale style to spare. $750

Filed under: Handbags

Burberry Check Print Knotted Shoulder Bag, Handbag of the Day originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 20 Mar 2010 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

How to Determine Your Face Shape

Whether you're deciding on a new hairstyle or buying a hat, knowing what shape your face is can help choose you the most flattering style. There are four basic face shapes: oval, round, heart, and square, plus a few sub-shapes such as triangle (or 'pear'), diamond, and rectangle (or 'oblong'). The first step to determining which you are is to get out a tape measure and write down some numbers.

First, measure across the top of your cheekbones.
Then measure across your jawbone, from widest point to widest point.
Third, measure across your forehead at the widest point (somewhere between your eyes and hairline)
Measure from the top of your face (at the hairline) to the tip of your chin.

Now that you have these four numbers you can determine which face shape you fall into:

Continue reading How to Determine Your Face Shape

Filed under: Cosmetics and Fragrance

How to Determine Your Face Shape originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 20 Mar 2010 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

BMW Golfsport Collection

BMW and OGIO have come together to create the BMW Golfsport Collection, a set designed to make any golfer's game more fun, comfortable, and stylish. The collection includes: a golf bag made of white or black nylon with white and silver accents, an umbrella for fending off pesky showers, a couple of polo shirts, a water bottle, a golf set (with tees, balls, divot tool, ball marker, and towel), a golf shoe bag, and a cart bag complete with rain hood and insulated compartment for beverages. The only thing it doesn't come with is clubs. Buy each piece separately for mix and match convenience, €5,00 - €195,00.

Gallery: The BMW Golfsport Collection

Filed under: Sports, Men's Style

BMW Golfsport Collection originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 20 Mar 2010 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Netherlands says sex shows not art

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Europe, Netherlands

The beholder's eye just lost some of its decision-making power. A court in the Netherlands has ruled that private sex shows, among the major draws for Americans looking to let loose in a permissive culture ready to exploit repressed visitors, are not art. This is a departure from a 2008 ruling that called the gyrating in private booths cultural. Of course, the upshot of the change in direction is not any form of prohibition. After all, that would be counterproductive. Instead, the government is looking to maximize revenues. As "culture," the sex show fees were taxed at 6%, but having lost this status, a 19% rate will apply.

The case was Belgian but has implications for the Netherlands. According to the ruling, the lower tax rate only applies to art forms in which people participate together. One-on-one performances don't apply ... do don't try to rationalize your lap dances as an alternative to MoMA.

The finance ministry hasn't wasted any time, with a spokesman saying that sex biz bosses need to start shelling out at the higher rate.

Netherlands says sex shows not art originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 20 Mar 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Escape the snow with the Adventures In Travel show this weekend in Chicago

If you are in Chicago this weekend, and looking for a way to escape the snow, then consider heading over to the Donald E. Stephens convention center for the 2010 Adventures In Travel show.

At the show, you'll find 100's of exhibitors showing off their destinations, and handing out information that can help you decide where to head this vacation season.

The show is also home to several fantastic seminars, with speakers like Sean O'Neill of BudgetTravel.com and Zac Sunderland, who is the world's Youngest Solo Circumnavigator.

Admission is $15, kids under 16 are free. The show is open today (Saturday) till 5pm, and tomorrow from 11am till 4pm. For more information on the show, head on over to their site.

Escape the snow with the Adventures In Travel show this weekend in Chicago originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 20 Mar 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

How to Take a Compliment

Compliments are a part of life, and although you might not always feel you deserve them learning to accept a compliment graciously is a life skill you'll never regret.

Be grateful The best thing you can do when someone compliments you is to simply say 'thank you.' And smile, because smiles work wonders.

Reciprocate if and when appropriate. If you've just won an amazing award you can say "thank you" and leave it that, but if it's something simpler like a friend complimenting your new haircut say thank you and then return the favor by complimenting her scarf or new shade of lipstick.

Don't argue or try to invalidate the compliment. For example if someone says "Good job!" don't counter with "I could have done better." Accept the compliment for what it is and don't make people work to get their point across.

Be sincere Be genuine in your response, not absent-minded or mechanical. Really mean it when you say thank you, and if/when you compliment them in return.

People sometimes feel that when they accept a compliment it makes them seem self-centered or arrogant, but really when people argue or negate positive acknowledgments they just come off as insecure, uninterested, or rude even. It's much better to be a well-rounded, balanced individual that can appreciate when someone is making a kind gesture.

Filed under: Wealth

How to Take a Compliment originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 20 Mar 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Vacation homes and social media worth a million dollars

Filed under: North America, United States, Internet Tools

Did someone mention a travel slump? Second Porch, up in Portland, Oregon, must not have received the memo.

Damned memos.

The new company just picked up $1 million in A-round financing (an early round, for those not of the finance world) which was led by the Oregon Angel Fund. Translation: a few people are making a seven-figure bet on a travel company in a shitty market. And I think it's pure genius. Now is the time to make a play in the travel market, as there's nowhere to go but up. Also, Second Porch has a nice social media connection which is not only all the rage with the kids right now (and the Baby Boomers and everyone else, for that matter) but has demonstrated continued potential for the travel and tourism industry.

The premise behind Second Porch is straightforward: these guys want to harness the power of social media to make it easier for you to book a vacation home. The company has put together a free Facebook application - a portal into the vacation home rental process. End-user ease, however, is only part of the plan. Second Porch CEO Brent Hieggelke says, "The typical Facebook personal network comprised of 'friends of friends' reaches almost 17,000 people, all of whom can be vouched for by a friend in common. For a homeowner, this is an obvious opportunity to find prospective guests to rent to with a higher level of comfort and peace of mind."

Right now, Second Porch has only 1,100 fans and 2,450 users ... but give it time. A million dollars buys a lot of friends.

Vacation homes and social media worth a million dollars originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 20 Mar 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Lakeview Avenue, Estate of the Day

Oprah Winfrey's fomer agent, manager and adviser, attorney Jeffrey Jacobs has some swell digs in Chicago. The Chicago Elite Street column reports that Jacobs has put his duplex penthouse co-op on the market for $5.75 million.

He bought the unit in 1999 and has renovated the elegant four-bedroom abode which was designed by architect David Adler designed. The building is right on the park and has a skylight and big windows show lake and city views. The apartment has a grand staircase which cures upward to four bedrooms plus a nursery/office. The home has a new kitchen, breakfast room and an adjacent family living room. That Oprah money has done this home well, it is exquisitely designed. The formal dining room with faux columns, a piano and a view of the lake and the curved wood-ceilinged billiard room are particularly delightful. It is listed with realtor Janet Owen.

Gallery: Lakeview Avenue

Continue reading Lakeview Avenue, Estate of the Day

Filed under: Estates

Lakeview Avenue, Estate of the Day originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 20 Mar 2010 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Skype Access uses your Skype credit to access 100,000 paid Wi-Fi hotspots

Filed under: Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Internet Tools, Middle East, Central America

Trying to make a Skype call on the road at a hotspot? Up till now, you first had to pay to access paid Wi-Fi hotspots - which often meant having to pay for an entire day just so you could make one phone call.

The new Skype Access service takes care of this by combining Skype calling with hotspot access.

When you use the most recent version of the Windows or Mac Skype client, the application will offer to take care of paying for your hotspot access. Accessing paid hotspots costs $0.19 per minute - which is substantially cheaper than the $15 or $20 charged by many public paid access points.

A list of all the supported Wi-Fi hotspot providers can be found here. All the major providers are covered, including those at airports and hotels around the world.

At the moment, Skype Access is not (yet) available on their mobile clients, but hopefully that is only a matter of time.

Being able to make a Skype call, and pay for both the call and your hotspot access from your Skype credit is a brilliant idea - and one that will make phone calls on the road even easier. Click here to learn more about the new Skype Access feature, or to download the latest version of Skype.

Skype Access uses your Skype credit to access 100,000 paid Wi-Fi hotspots originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 20 Mar 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

MCT Sequential One Watch Hands-On

One of the hottest indy watch brands in my opinion is MCT. Not only do they make their wild movements themselves (as opposed to sourcing them), but they have a really cool timepiece that is not only extremely unique, but also tells time in a new but effective manner. It is a bit hard to explain in words how they work, but you can see some videos of the Sequential One watch in action here. I got to handle the pieces myself in Geneva. I am really sold on the concept. The watch not only looks great on the wrist, but it performs well to boot. Available in various colors ans styles. The manually wound movement displays just the time - the hours and minutes on the dial, and the seconds on the back of the watch. The case is TV screen in design and houses an incredible movement that is as fun to operate as it is to own. Basically, the hours are displayed on "prism" shaped segments that form four shutters around the dial. This combines with the turning "horse shoe" that is a retrograde minutes display. Just a cool watch that is both classic and modern at the same time.

The fact that MCT makes their own movements is actually a big deal. Means that the brand itself is responsible for servicing the watches and is not reliant on a third party movement maker. With an upcoming round model of the watch MCT is on a role. Price is around $100,000 if memory serves me correct, give or take $20k or so. A great piece and worth the investment if you have been eying it (and can afford it).

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: MCT Sequential One watch

Filed under: Timepieces

MCT Sequential One Watch Hands-On originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 20 Mar 2010 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Video of the week (3.20.10)

Filed under: Video of the Week

This week's video of the week, called Sandpit, is from Sam O'Hare who wanted to use a tilt-shift lens to turn a New York City scene into something that looks like a tiny model. But he discovered he could improve the look and feel by shooting the video with a normal lens and then blur the background and foreground after it was produced.

Tilt-shift videos of cites are nothing new, but Sam took it to a new level.

Sam explained the process of making Sandpit in an interesting interview by Aero Film if you need to know how it was created.

The effects are amazing. Coupled with the music from Human, you may find yourself hypnotized in no time.

Do you have a great travel related suggestion for our Video of the Week? Fill out this form or just include my twitter handle @veryjr in your tweet about it. Maybe we'll use it as next week's Video.

Video of the week (3.20.10) originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 20 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Vintage Tin Signs: Decorate and Collect

Antique buyers often have specific goals in mind when purchasing vintage tin signs. There are customers who want to obtain tin signs simply for the pleasure of collecting. Other buyers are more interested in incorporating antique tin signs into their decorating motif.

Dean Ferber, owner of No Egrets Antiques and Collectibles, imparts valuable tips for consumers interested in collecting tin signs.

What to Consider
Do you have a special interest, such as antique cars? Consider augmenting a collection or a hobby with signage. Take into consideration the size and location of the space where you will display your vintage finds. Collections can be placed in bedrooms, basements, garages and even in barns. Budget and time frame are significant. Tin signs are prone to rust and are easily reproduced, so buyers must beware. Authentic tin signs range from $300 to $3000, but can soar upward depending upon rarity.

Where to Purchase
Signs are often found as a person is searching for other treasures. They can be discovered anywhere, from open air markets and eBay to upscale showrooms. Dean believes that antique malls and flea markets offer the best chance to find signs in volume. Auctions are for informed collectors with deep pockets, especially if they're well advertised in newspapers or trade magazines. Estate and garage sales are hit and miss propositions. Get there early. The process can be time consuming, yet potentially financially rewarding

Continue reading Vintage Tin Signs: Decorate and Collect

Filed under: Art

Vintage Tin Signs: Decorate and Collect originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 20 Mar 2010 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Delta Airlines adding hourly Chicago <-> New York service

Filed under: North America, United States, Airlines, Airports

Delta airlines just announced the introduction of 22 new daily flights between Chicago and New York. The new flights will be operated as Delta Shuttle flights, and will start June 10th.

The new hourly service out of O'Hare replaces current Delta flights between Chicago Midway and LaGuardia.

Delta obviously means business - because they are also going to offer free coffee and newspapers at the gate, which will be located as close as possible to the terminal 2 security checkpoint.

More flights on this route means cheaper fares for everyone, because the other airlines will clearly be paying attention to this increased capacity. Delta kiosks will be available for same-day ticket purchases.

The route will be operated by an Embraer 175 jet - with 12 seats in first class, and 64 seats in coach. Because this is a narrow body jet, there are no middle seats. The flights will offer Delta's "enhanced shuttle service" which means meals in first class, and free wine and beer in all cabins.

Delta Airlines adding hourly Chicago <-> New York service originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 20 Mar 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Daily gear deals - $80 outdoor GPS unit, $112 eBook reader and more

Filed under: Gadling's Daily Deal

Here are the hottest gear deals for today, Saturday March 20th 2010. Remember, these deals are often valid for just one day, so act fast before they are gone.

Today's first deal is for the Bushell ONIX 400 GPS unit with XM NEXRAD weather. This is not the GPS unit you want if you are looking for a car navigation system, but it'll be perfect for people planning to navigate the outdoors. The unit comes pre-loaded with a US topographic map, and overlays satellite photos and XM weather radar. On sale at Woot for $79.99. Click here for this deal.

Next up is is cheap eBook reader from Newegg. The 5" jetBook-Lite may not look as nice as some of the others on the market, but it'll still do the job - especially since it accepts books from Barnes and Noble and a huge variety of other book seller formats. On sale for $112.99 with free shipping. Click here for this deal.

Next up are the Altec Lansing Backbeat PRO reference headphones. These nose isolating earphones block out a huge amount of noise, making them the perfect accessory for a (long) flight. They come with a variety of earpieces and a nice carrying case. On sale for just $28. Click here for this deal.

Today's fourth and final deal is for an old favorite - the Orbit MP3 speaker is compact, battery operated and loud - three things you'll want if you'd like some music in your (hotel) room. On sale for $15.54. Click here for this deal.

Daily gear deals - $80 outdoor GPS unit, $112 eBook reader and more originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 20 Mar 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

David Stine Woodworking: The Art Of Listening To Wood

Furniture designer David Stine doesn't just design the tables, desks and other wood furnishings in his line, he selects every tree, mills every board and crafts each piece of furniture by hand to create a unique work of art. Stine harvests much of his high quality lumber from his family's own forests in Illinois. He mills the logs at his woodshop, basing his designs on what the wood reveals rather than the other way around. The process is akin to the way artisan gemcutters work with mineral rough, the piece is evaluated for size, angles, etc. so that the maximum beauty of the natural material is revealed. It's no surprise that his work has been featured in Forbes Life and other places and that his clientele includes writer and pundit Andrew Sullivan, Crate & Barrel owners Gordon and Carole Segal and actor and activist Michael J. Fox.

In addition to the limited edition pieces in his portfolio (check out the gallery below) clients may custom order furniture to their exact specifications. All pieces are hand crafted using traditional methods of joinery and construction and environmentally safe finishes. The pine cant bench shown above sells for $1,150.

Gallery: David Stine Furniture

Filed under: Decor

David Stine Woodworking: The Art Of Listening To Wood originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 20 Mar 2010 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Must-see in Vienna: Spittelberg and the MuseumsQuartier

Filed under: Austria

If you're looking for something to do in Vienna that's off-the-beaten-path, I would suggest a visit to the historic Spittelberg area in the 7th district. Some define the entire 7th district as Spittelberg, but purists will tell you that it is actually just a collection of about six little cobbled streets, each more charming than the last. It's just a quick skip-and-a-jump from the MuseumsQuartier, which I'll tell you about, as well.

Spittelberg

Spittelberg was built from the 1700s to the early 1800s in an area belonging to a hospital. Over the years, the area became more and more run down, and by the 1960s, it had devolved into a red light district complete with drugs and prostitutes. The government made a move to tear it down, but suddenly, support for the area sprang up from groups all over Vienna. It was decided that Spittelberg should be restored and preserved. Now, it's home to interesting boutiques and restaurants, art galleries and even a playground. Like with much of Vienna, Spittelberg is a mix of old and new.

Gallery: Vienna: Spittelberg and the MuseumsQuartier

MuseumsQuartier

Continue reading Must-see in Vienna: Spittelberg and the MuseumsQuartier

Must-see in Vienna: Spittelberg and the MuseumsQuartier originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 20 Mar 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Seattle's Best Cheeses Are Ready to Take on the World

Do you really, really, really love cheese? Seattle is home to some surprisingly great locally made cheeses, particularly the famously sharp Northwest cheddars.

Beecher's Handmade Cheeses

Beecher's is as famous for their hand-crafted cheeses as they are for the space they are made in. Located in the famous Pike Place Market near the Seattle waterfront, Beecher's makes all their cheeses in a glassed-in room visible from the street, allowing you to watch the cheese being made in front of your eyes. Beecher's Aged Flagship Cheddar was the 2009 American Cheese Society's 1st place for mature cheddars, and their famous mac 'n cheese is notably indulgent and a must-have.

WSU Creamery's Cougar Cheese

While not strictly from Seattle, Washington State's famous Cougar Cheese is likely to please your tastebuds just as much as it will irritate nearby Husky fans. Ignore the intercollegiate rivalry and pick some up from the Cougar Connections store in the Westlake Mall in downtown Seattle. Cougar Gold is their flagship cheese, a white cheddar that gets deliciously crumbly and sharper with age.

Continue reading Seattle's Best Cheeses Are Ready to Take on the World

Filed under: Dining

Seattle's Best Cheeses Are Ready to Take on the World originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 20 Mar 2010 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Thousands of BA flights canceled as crew on strike

British Airways canceled more than 1,000 flights after its cabin crew launched a three-day strike Saturday, wreaking havoc on the plans of tens of thousands of passengers just before the busy spring holiday season.

Passport Day set for March 27

Officials have set aside Saturday, March 27, as Passport Day USA. Regional passport offices nationwide, including the office in Seattle, will take walk-up applicants...

Taschen Opens in South Beach

The legendary publisher Taschen is opening a brand new store in the heart of South Beach, Miami. For those of you who either live in the area or just can't get enough on the literary world even while on vacation the new space should be a welcome edition to a town not known for the pursuit of intellectual goals. That being said, Taschen is known for being not only hip and contemporary but a publisher with a long list of books that more staid institutions would be afraid to print.

As always the company is concerned with not only the design of their books but the atmosphere and space where their clients can explore their merchandise. The South Beach store is no exception to this rule. The store is one of only thirteen high-end storefronts located in a brand new building designed by Swiss architects Herzog & de Maeuron. Customers can turn the pages of their favorite art books in a space created by Philippe Stark, the legendary Frenchman who has designed all the Taschen stores worldwide. The company commissioned British artist Toby Ziegler to design interior murals and a hand-poured terrazzo floor. In a nod to the location the floors of the space are composed of stones native to the area of South Florida.

The inventory at this store will include the publisher's art, photography, design, architecture, sex, travel , cinema and pop culture as well as a good selection of Portuguese and Spanish language titles. Like all things South Beach the store is planning to be open late until 10pm Sundays through Thursdays and 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays. If you'd like to celebrate the opening please join the store's celebration at 1111 Lincoln Road on Saturday March 20th from 4-6pm . The event will include drinks and music from DJ Faux Real and of course lots of books.

Filed under: Books

Taschen Opens in South Beach originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 20 Mar 2010 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ship runs aground in the Galapagos

Filed under: South America, Ecuador, Ecotourism, Cruises

On Wednesday of this week, a tourist ship named the M/S Alta ran aground, and became stuck on a reef in the Galapagos islands while entering the harbor at Puerto Ayora, along the southern coast of Santa Cruz island. The extent of the ecological damage to the reef has yet to be determined, but fortunately no one aboard was injured in the accident, which was caused, at least in part, due to a malfunctioning lighthouse that normally marks the entrance to the harbor.

The 140-foot long sailing ship is operated by Quasar Expeditions and was carrying 16 Canadian passengers, 8 Ecuadorian crew members, and an Ecuadorian National Park Guide at the time of the incident. All of the passengers were evacuated from the boat, and spent the night in a nearby, ocean front hotel, before continuing on to Darwin Station and the Santa Cruz Highlands the following day. They did cut their tour a day short however, leaving the islands yesterday, rather than today as scheduled.

As of Friday, efforts were underway to remove the Alta from the reef, but the process is a slow one, and caution must be exercised in order to contain any fuel that may have spilled. Initial reports indicated that as much as 3500 gallons had leaked into the harbor, but later reports refuted that number, saying that no leaks had been found. All the fuel will be pumped out of the ship before it is pulled off the reef and into dock for a complete inspection before it returns to service.

One of the hottest topics in sustainable travel over the past few years has been the impact of tourism on the fragile environments of the Galapagos. Fortunately, it seems that this incident will not have any long lasting effects on the region, and it seems like the Alta will be back in service shortly.

Ship runs aground in the Galapagos originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 20 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Thousands of BA flights canceled as crew starts strike

British Airways canceled more than 1,000 flights after its cabin crew launched a three-day strike Saturday, wreaking havoc on ...

Dubai hotel releases whale shark back into the wild

Environmentalists began calling for the shark's release shortly after the Atlantis hotel rescued it from the shallow waters off ...