Dominoes is a game nearly everyone played as a child and seems to be a familiar game to people on every continent. A tile or bone (named from their original construction) contains two values, each from zero (blank) to six represented by a number of dots. Each set contains one of every combination of tile making a set of 28, making for a easy to carry game. 
As a travel game it is ideal. Most people know how to play and it is extremely simple to teach even with limited language, though some strategy helps with winning. Dominoes appears to be most popular in Central and South America (I have played in Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia) though I played it a lot in East Africa too, especially in Kenya, Tanzania and Malawi (often with a set made from soapstone, some beautifully ornate). While as a child I always paraded the tiles on the table in front of me, in many games I played around the world, players cup the tiles in their hands more akin to playing cards taking sneaky glimpses at their tiles like they represent national secrets.
Games are played with great animation. Fierce concentration and studious silence is broken by the celebratory sharp crack of a tile slapped down on a table when a winning move is played. Like mancala and other games, the game is a great icebreaker when travelling and provides a great chance to meet with local populations. As a side benefit, it can teach numbers in the local language!!
While nearly everyone has seen and played dominoes, I will give a brief summary of the rules. While there are numerous variations, the basic game involves starting with a hand of seven tiles or bones (drawn from the evocatively named boneyard) and kept hidden from your opponents. Each game involves building a long line of tiles constructed by alternately playing tiles where the end value matches. That is, if the two ends of the line are a blank and a five, then you can play any tile where one of the values in your hand is a blank or a five. If you cannot match a tile, then you draw a tile from the boneyard and extend your hand. The object of the game is to lose all your tiles. If a game is blocked and no-one can play and the boneyard is empty, then the player with the least total dots left in their hand is the winner.
I overlooked a game called 42 in an American bar one night where the tiles were treated more like playing cards. Players make bids based on the value of their hands nominating trumps and playing out tricks where everyone plays a tile from their hand. Despite watching for a while I never worked out the game but it is a sign of the wide gamut of variations such a simple set of patterned tiles can bring.
Seek out chances to play games during your travels, some having deep cultural ties to the country or region.
--------
For the duration of 2012 at the start of each month, Travel Wonders features a popular or characteristic game played during my travels. The previous two articles have looked at popular African game mancala and my own personal favourite that always travels with me, Pass the Pigs.
Photo Credits: wooden table play, black&white,
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Games Around the World: Dominoes
Monday, April 2, 2012
Luxury Escape in Nelson (New Zealand)
With no map, we checked at a local restaurant for directions to the Wheelhouse Inn. The owner said “Oh, that’s Ralph and Sally’s place. It’s beautiful. You’ll love it”. And he was so correct.
From when we first moored our car in the anchorage – everything at The Wheelhouse Inn has a nautical theme – the place has a wonderful relaxed feel. Opening the door of the Wheelhouse, a modern self-contained timber-panelled house, panoramic vistas immediately strike. With huge picture windows, the place overlooks Nelson’s Tasman Bay and the narrow deep channel where pilot boats skilfully steer large cargo vessels in and out of port.
Nestling into a tranquil expansive garden of native shrubs and trees, the Wheelhouse is just one of five self-contained multi-level houses and units overlooking Nelson’s Tasman Bay. The Captain’s Quarters, Crows Nest, Chart House Main Deck and Chart House Upper Deck all offer spectacular views and distinctive accommodation.
The Wheelhouse is spotlessly clean, spacious and tastefully appointed for a stay of several days including comfortable lounge area (including large TV, DVD, CD player and high-speed cable internet), outdoor gas BBQ, upstairs main bedroom and downstairs laundry (with dryer). The place is filled with absorbing nautical pictures and maritime knick-knacks including the steering wheel of a large ship that sunk many years ago.
While numerous eating options are simply a matter of strolling down the hill, the full-equipped modern kitchen offers an opportunity to eat in and watch evening envelop the Nelson waterfront. There is even a set of binoculars to watch the maritime entertainment or view the playful tuis enjoy the bloom-laden garden.
Befitting Nelson’s thriving art culture, the Wheelhouse offers handsome handmade pottery coffee cups (and plunger coffee). Ralph is a keen artist himself, his studio turning out quirky kiln-fired glazed seagulls, each with its own unique personality skilfully portrayed by subtle changes to its eyes, beak and stance, many securing a prized fish.
I cannot imagine a better start to the day than watching vibrant orange and burnished gold light the dawn sky slowly illuminating Tasman Bay, all from the comfort of bed. The Wheelhouse is a peaceful place, ideal for a special occasion or for a few days exploring Nelson and neighbouring Abel Tasman National Park.
Bookings and details about The Wheelhouse Inn can be found here.
The Wheelhouse Inn provided a complimentary overnight stay to the author. As always, the content and opinions are mine and are not influenced by the provision of discounted or free services. In this case, I highly recommend The Wheelhouse Inn. It provides highlight luxury accommodation in vibrant Nelson overlooking stunning Tasman Bay.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Spring in the English Lake District (England)
guest post by Amanda Andrews
The English Lake District is an area that has inspired writers and artists for centuries, and there is no better time of year to understand why then in spring. One of William Wordsworth most famous poems, I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud, was inspired by the large swathes of daffodils that spring up yearly along the crystal lakes and is a sight that everyone should be treated to in their lives. With sunshine on your face and fresh air in your lungs a spring holiday in the Lake District will leave you feeling refreshed and relaxed like no beach holiday ever could.
The Lake District really does offer activities for everyone. The area is probably most famous as a walker’s paradise with endless trails through the hills and fells. There are walks for all ability levels and ages, from the 39 Miles without Stiles trails that are suitable for wheelchair users or families with pushchairs, to the epic Coast to Coast which reaches from the Irish Sea to the North Sea and takes from 12-14 days to complete!
Many people who holiday in the Lake District regularly like to set themselves up in one of the many Lake District cottages where they can set off on a walking trail right from the front door. Most of the walks through the Lake District are well trodden paths so you don’t need to worry if you aren’t generally a cross country walker and there are sure to be endless places to stop for a rest and take in the amazing scenery en route. 
For a slightly slower pace of holiday there are endless beautiful gardens to visit across Cumbria and the Lake District, some of which were designed by the areas most famous residents. Brantwood, home of John Ruskin, is an estate filled with the treasures and curiosities of an artistic genius. The 250 acre estate offers some of the best views in the Lakes and includes walks designed by Ruskin himself, such as The Zig-Zaggy which is said to have been inspired by Dante's Purgatorial Mount.
William Wordsworth is said to have been a keen landscape gardener and the four acres of gardens at his home Rydal Mount (top photo) remain very much to his design. The garden consists of fell-side terraces and in season provides breathtaking displays of daffodils, bluebells, and rhododendrons. Take some time while you’re here to visit the Wordsworth house, where he wrote some of his most famous works, as well as the lovely on site tea room where you can treat yourself to a spot of tea and cake.
Coming up shortly in the Lake District is The Keswick Mountain Festival, a must attend event for adventure seekers! Held over five days from 16th-20th May 2012, the festival will be filled with activities, including sporting competitions, adventure challenges, and great inspirational speakers like Monty Halls and Sir Chris Bonington. Local food and drinks will be available and all this will happen on the banks of beautiful Derwentwater, in the shadows of Skiddaw and Catbells. There are lots of great last minute cottage deals by Sykes Cottages still available, and tickets are still on sale so don’t worry if this is the first you’ve heard of the event.
The English Lake District is one of the UKs great landscapes and offers an unforgettable spring holiday location. With the sun overhead and soft green grass under your feet all of your worries will quickly melt away. Whether you’re looking for a slow pace, or non-stop adventure, the English Lake District has something for you and there is no better time to visit then right now, in the beauty of spring.
Amanda is a writer and traveller who is currently based in the UK. She has travelled extensively through Europe, North America, and Australia and takes every opportunity to discover new and exciting places. Amanda is currently writing about great UK destinations for www.sykescottages.co.uk, who offer great holiday cottages across the UK and Ireland.
Photo credits: Wordsworth house, daffodils, Brantwood, Derwentwater
Thursday, March 29, 2012
WOW: A World of Cars and Couture (Nelson, New Zealand)
"Athletes have the Olympics; actors have the Oscars; musicians have the Grammys; and designers and costume creators have WOW"
Bob Haven, professor in Costume Technology at Kentucky University.
Like a cocktail of Cirque du Soleil and Carnivale, every September an extraordinary Wellington spectacular morphs choreographed music, theatre, colour, lighting and dance to showcase a magical evening of fantasy, fashion and art. Called the World of WearableArt (WOW for short) and the brainchild of Suzie Moncrieff, a challenge was issued in 1987 to designers and artists to create a piece of art that could be worn and modelled. Now in its 25th year, the show continues to grow in scale and imagination with prizes in a number of categories. 
With its rich arts culture and as the birthplace of this now worldwide extravaganza, Nelson hosts the superb and unique World of WearableArt and Collectible Cars Museum (the WOW website is here). Proudly showcasing the award-winning costumes from recent shows visitors can experience the creative talents and wild imaginations of some of the world’s finest designers.
The first gallery couples artistic music and lighting with a stage area and seating. The bizarre garments are beautifully showcased on a moving carousel of catwalk mannequins while other creations inspired by dragonflies, birdlife and sea creatures float overhead. A full range of avant-garde materials including shiny metal plates, bicycle inner tubes, sea shells, wire, bottle tops, light bulbs, papier-mâché, drinking straws, fruit, cutlery, fine silks, dried food and more are mixed to create truly spellbinding outfits. 
Eye-popping WearableArt bras are especially notable for their creative approach covering a full spectrum of ideas from metallic space wear to bowls of fruit and nautical-inspired designs.
A second gallery is darkened to showcase a psychedelic array of fluorescent costumes. Akin to wandering the inky ocean depths, a neon gallery of exotic headwear, dresses, bras and winged costumes phosphoresce vivid reds, blues, yellows, violets and greens.
A theatrette (which I’d suggest viewing first though it is at the end of the galleries) shows clips from recent WOW events in Wellington highlighting some of the exceptional designs and living the founder’s dream of taking art off the wall to adorn the moving body.
Within the same museum is a superb collection of around forty classic cars. Presented as a celebration of automotive design and workmanship, iconic cars from every decade of last century are represented. Historic Fords, Cadillacs, Ferraris, Studebakers, Bentleys and convertibles (along with a personal favourite – a 1929 Packard) glisten with immaculate chrome and paintwork, all in sound mechanical condition. For the true car enthusiasts, a further 100 cars are accessible in a separate nearby warehouse, the collection rotated on a regular basis. 
WOW is the word. It is little surprise that as the creative arts capital of New Zealand, Nelson has a museum dedicated to fashion and design but the World of WearableArt and Collectible Cars Museum exceeds all expectations. Ensure you stop by this airy modern two-in-one museum with a difference and enjoy a beautifully displayed showcase of spellbinding creative outfits along with a lovingly assembled collection celebrating automotive excellence. The gift shop is worth a browse for a thoughtful range of locally-sourced arts and treasures well outside of the normal souvenirs.
The costume photos are copyright of World of WearableArt and Collectible Cars Museum and have been reproduced with permission.
Image 1: Dragon Fish, designed by Susan Holmes
Image 2: Firebird, designed by Susan Holmes
Image 3: Superminx, designed by Simon Hames
Image 4: Ornitho-Maia, designed by Nadine Jaggi
Please respect the copyright of these works of art.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Abel Tasman: Seals, Sand and Scenery (New Zealand)
Abel Tasman National Park is one of the most alluring and beautiful natural wonders in New Zealand. On the protected and more weather-friendly side of New Zealand’s South Island, the 54 kilometre three to five-day coastal track combines lush forests with sculpted granite cliffs and pristine bays and coves fringed by golden sands. Tiny rocky islands sit enticingly offshore supporting a rich variety of native marine and bird life.
While the national park is named for a mid-1600s Dutch sailor Abel Tasman who fled without landing after being spooked by the local Maori population, the French explorer D’Urville navigated and anchored in the area leaving his mark with exotic French names for some of the bays and landmarks.
Outside of a walk and the general stunning coastal scenery, two notable highlights are Split Apple Rock and Tonga Island. As if cut cleanly in half by a giant’s axe, a large granite boulder perches in aquamarine water just off the coastline. While legends abound, there appears no certain explanation as to the rock’s perfect dissection except that it happened a very long time ago.
Despite the inclement weather, on Tonga Island, New Zealand Fur Seals luxuriate and relax on the rocks while fur seal pups exuberantly swim and play in the rock pools that fringe the islands. Acutely aware of the sharp tidal differences of over five metres, mother fur seals feed at low tide making for a shorter dive to harvest the rich pickings of the sea floor. Dolphins are seen travelling in the bow wave of the boat while I spot a couple of shy blue penguins as they bob their tiny heads above the water. The captain points out that he never announces penguin sightings as by the time he has said pen, the bashful birds have dived away.
In one slightly strange phenomenon, the sands on the various beaches vary distinctly from a reddish colour and gritty feel to near white and powdery soft on the feet, caused by the angle of the beaches, the size of the granite sand grains and the bleaching effects of the sun.
The excellent services of Abel Tasman Sea Shuttle allow visitors with only a few hours or a day to experience a portion of the park without embarking on the full multi-day walk (click on the map below to enlarge). Chatting with returning passengers, one couple had spent a week camping, relaxing and taking short strolls at the northerly point of Totaranui while a group of three spoke enthusiastically after returning for a second year to walk a different section of the track. Yet another couple had enjoyed lunch and a short walk at Awaroa Lodge while two youngsters spoke of kayaking the shoreline near Coquille Bay.
By taking a later return shuttle, people can combine a scenic cruise with walking a leg of the coastal track, kayaking a section of the rocky coastline and/or lunching at the Awaroa Lodge. Others simply stay on board to enjoy the scenic cruise with a commentary describing the history of the park while visiting a number of forest-fringed golden beaches, the seal colony and unusual rock formations. For those without access to Kaiteriteri, a bus runs from Motueka while the first service of the day travels from the thriving artsy city of Nelson (50 minutes away via boat), returning with the last service of the day.
Sitting shallow in the water, the Abel Tasman Sea Shuttle water taxi vessels are purpose-built for the Abel Tasman National Park accounting for the high tidal variations, beach landings, space for bags and gear for campers and a small refreshing café where snacks, hot and cold drinks are available. Their cleverly designed ramps unfurl from the front of the vessel and allow easy access to and from the beach without a need to ever get wet feet, wet gear or to climb steps.
From the reddish-tinged sands of Kaiteriteri, the Abel Tasman Sea Shuttles stops at six different beaches and bays dropping hikers, kayakers and day-trippers off and picking others up. With parts of the walk involving stream or estuary crossings only passable around low tide, the vessel’s crew offer plenty of advice to ensure that walkers time their ventures with the tides.
Sometimes omitted from visitors' itineraries, the top of New Zealand's South Island is stunning highlighted by the magnificent coastline, beaches, wildlife and forests of Abel Tasman National Park. While it is easy to spend a week in this picture-postcard park, it is easy for those with limited time to get a taste of this scenic area, experiencing its secluded beauty by any combination of trekking the fine coastal path, paddling a kayak or soaking its panoramic vistas from the comfort of a water taxi.
Abel Tasman Sea Shuttle provided a complimentary journey to the author. As always, the content and opinions are mine and are not influenced by the provision of discounted or free services. In this case, I highly recommend Abel Tasman Sea Shuttles. This award-winning family business has a deserved fine reputation for their comfortable and innovative catamarans, competitive pricing, enthusiastic helpful crew and for their tremendous knowledge and passion for the Abel Tasman area.
Further details on the Abel Tasman Coastal Track are available here.
Map courtesy of Abel Tasman Sea Shuttle.
