General Fun Facts About Ziplining

digital camera

Ziplining has been around for quite a while, and many individuals are courageous enough to take on the daring struggle to do such an adrenaline-rushing activity, capturing these special moments with their Leica digital camera or any high-quality digital camera. To look the best in those photos, some people even wear coloured contact lenses. For occasions like Halloween, yellow contact lenses can also be worn to add a fun element to it. Here are some fun facts about ziplining.

In the previous times of Ancient China, zip wires, as they called them, were used in the Nujiang Valley of Yunnan Province. This area offers rivers, mountains, and valleys. Since they didn’t have the gear we’ve got in contemporary times, it was hard to cross the rivers safely. Zip cables were the response to safely crossing the rivers instead of swimming and utilising ferry rides. To this day, some of those first lines remain and are being replaced with modern-day ziplines.

halloween contact lensesZiplines have existed for centuries in one form or another. However, they didn’t gain popularity until the ’70s when wildlife biologists working in Central America began pruning cables from tree to tree to easily manoeuvre the tropical rainforest canopy. That system allowed scientists to examine the local ecosystems without destroying the flora and fauna on the rainforest floor. This led to the first rise in canopy and zipline tours — as a way of eco-tourism.

Nowadays, clearly, there’s been less and less emphasis on the eco-tourism aspect of ziplining and more and more on the utter delight of the experience. As such, the zipline industry is rapidly growing and as quickly evolving. There are a lot of rivalries as zipline attractions strive to outdo or one-up every other in terms of height, speed and distance.

Ziplining attractions are available in many locations around the world, which means you are bound to see a different source of scenery where you go. In modern times, most folks zipline for the excitement and enjoyable experience. Here are some surprising facts you May Not have known about ziplining:

  • In America, the state with the most ziplines is North Carolina. The Tarheel nation has 24 commercial ziplines.
  • You’re able to travel internationally on ziplines. For example, if you want to cross the Guadiana River which is the border between Spain and Portugal, you will have to use a zipline to do so.
  • Ziplines in Costa Rica generate approximately $120 million in annual earnings.
  • In New Zealand & Australia, a zipline is popularly called a ‘fly fox’.
  • Ziplines are also called Zippy’s, zip wires, aerial runways, aerial rope slides, Tyrolean traverses or alternative tours.
  • The word Zip comes from the idea of an object having to move at a high speed.
  • In some areas of rural China, children use zip lines at their educational institutions. For example, students from Maji Township use these zip lines to cross the Nujiang River.
  • How Does It Work? So, you’ve got a lineup tied at a slope. Now, what is the next step? How would you make it so that you can slide down fast enough to be fun and exhilarating? The answer lies in the pulley that attaches to the cable or rope.
  • Ziplines can also be known as zippies, zip wires, aerial runways, aerial rope slides, or canopy tours.
  • The Invisible Man Ziplined–H.G. Wells said ziplines from the novel The Invisible Man.
  • The founder of modern zip-lining had written a book about his life experience using the zip line while studying the jungle at Costa Rica. The book is titled Life Above The Jungle Floor. This publication finally became an inspiration for the 1992 film Medicine Man, which features Sean Connery flying through the jungle on ziplines.

Top 5 School Holiday Activities For Sydney Kids

waterpark with aqua blue glistening water and a long blue and red slide

The holidays are the most awaited time of the year for the students of Sydney as summer or winter holidays stay for long. The holidays are the time when kids love to do new and creative things. It becomes necessary for the parents to plan and arrange different activities for the kids to utilize the free time of the kids and give them a memorable experience. Indoor games and learning activities are great for the development of the kinds, which are preferred by most of the parents. Still, it is worth noting that these activities aren’t sufficient for your kids unless you arrange some adventures and exciting outings for them. The reason behind that is the students are outgoing and love to visit new places or experience something new. These holiday activities leave a significant impact on the kind and enhance their knowledge over the break. So are you as excited as we are for the holidays now? Check the school term calendar for when you can plan your awesome days out with your kids this year. 

 

The best activities for the kids of Sydney during the holidays

Along with the indoor activities, plan some outdoor activities for the kids as well for better productivity. 

The best place to entertain the kinds of Sydney is an Adventure Park because the little ones love to play with water in summer. A popular park for families is Sydney’s Manly Surf n’ Slide Park. The best choice for waterside fun as this park has rides for the kids, fun water slides, Ferris wheel for the families, mini-golf, archery, paddle boat, grand carousel, water jets and many other fun activities. These cool waterpark activities are the best way to refresh your kids and give them a summer they won’t forget. 

The best activity to educate your kind about the animals and wildlife is to take them to the Open Range Zoo known as Taronga Western Plains Zoo about 6 hours away from the heart of Sydney. In this way, the kid will get to know about some new animal about which they have never seen. Along with finding out about new animals, they will come to know about the lives of these animals and what makes each one unique. Try to tell your kids about the specific features of the animals to make it a learning experience for the kids. 

The seaside or the beaches are the best places to spend some time in the summer holidays. The Marley beach and Bondi Beach in Sydney are suitable beaches for the kids to swim sunbath and water surf. These are some spots around beaches where the kids can enjoy fishing as well. The kid can make mud crafts and can collect shells from the seashore that can develop the habit of collecting things, which is a healthy activity for the kids. 

Another fun activity for the whole family in the holidays can be gardening, as this is good to teach them about the importance of plants and why they are essential for life on earth. Its activity can be a little dirty, but all fair play as it is summertime, so let them enjoy their days carefree. Tell them about the process of planning a plant and the ways to take care of the plants and flowers. Engage them in the gardening throughout their summer vacations.

javascript code in atomIf your kid is not a fan of the outdoors, there are also indoor school holiday programs running. Particularly, coding camps funded by the government, with student internships for university students to teach your little ones new puzzle-solving and logic skills. There’s no better way to engage your child’s brilliant mind by showing them the magic of technology.

 

Pay an adventurous visit to the city on bicycles. There’s nothing like a good bike ride together. Touring the Sydney city on a bicycle will help the young ones explore and know more about it all the while keeping them fit and active all day.

All these activities mentioned above can make your holidays a memorable experience. If you’re, however, going to be busy, you can find and send a Sydney nanny to accompany your children on their outings this summer. The nanny can take photos and make collages with the kids to come out the holidays with an album of awesome experiences.

Best Museums and Fine Art Galleries in Australia

staircase renaissance art

Art and culture are among the finest of things that define Australia as a continent. For this reason, there are several museums and Fine Art galleries scattered in different sections of the country. The art collections kept in these places are top class, enclosed by state of the art display systems like the Frank showcase system and can be found nowhere but in Australia. If you are an art lover, you will find inspiration in the diverse masterpieces that have been sourced from different corners of the world. From simple wall paintings to more advanced artifacts, your thirst for art will undoubtedly be quenched by the varying pieces impressively mounted onto the exhibition walls. If you are thinking of visiting one of the museums or art galleries here is a list of the best museum and Fine Art galleries in Australia.

The art gallery in New South Wales is recognized as one of the largest and possibly the most beautiful fine art galleries in Australia. Built with an attractive theme, this art gallery has all that you may need to satisfy your artistic desires. It houses pieces of art from different sections of Europe as well as from local Australian artists. The creative works of famous artists such as Vincent van Gogh are displayed here for public view. Apart from having numerous paintings, various sculptures from indigenous artists can also be found here.

Australian Museum

If you want to know the historical story of Australia, this is the right place for you. Recognized as the first public museum in Australia after its establishment in 1827, it has an endless list of collected cultural artifacts that tell a lot about how Australia has evolved. It also has many scientific art pieces which are of great importance to the history of Australia. The architectural design is also a sight worth seeing; seated on only three floors, you will have enough time to see all that the museum has in store for you.

Art Gallery of South Australia

The Art Gallery of South Australia was built in 1881 and now ranks second in Australia for having the most significant number of artifacts from the state. The gallery has a detailed finishing which gives it an attractive look. The paintings on the wall are also well organized to match the artistic theme being depicted. Some of the more unique collections include the Pre-Raphaelite works which attract both local and international visitors. It currently holds over 38,000 pieces of art which will give you an enthralling experience.

man sitting in front of painting in art gallery

National Gallery of Australia

The National Gallery of Australia has a collection of art pieces from diverse cultures all over the world. It has over 160,000 pieces of art consisting of the works of Asian, American and European artists. In addition, NGV also keeps an eye out for fresh art pieces from local artists. The artistic works curated here will blow your mind and will leave you longing for more.

Museum of Contemporary Art

Every year visitors flock to the Museum of Contemporary Art, enjoying the quality art being showcased. The building itself that many visitors have fallen in love with is a product of art, considered to be one of the architectural marvels in Australia. The museum has both local and international artworks with additional cultural pieces on display.

Art Gallery of Western Australia The artistic pieces kept here are from local artists and the Indian Ocean region. The local displays are mainly from the western side of the country. If you want to learn more about the Western side of Australia, this art gallery will answer all your questions. It is known as the home to some of the best art pieces in the whole of Australia. There are various sculptural pieces in display courtesy of some of the best Indigenous sculptures from Western Australia.

Cheap Places to travel in your 20’s

four girls on beach

If you’re looking for the very best and cheapest places to travel and explore while you are young, look no further. These locations from all over the world are fantastic for 20-somethings to see without breaking the bank. It has never been so simple to travel on a budget!

1. Ko Phi Phi, Thailand

Thailand is an immensely popular tourist destination for young travelers. The cost of flights and lodging make the most luxurious vacation just as expensive as the price of living in a big city. And as soon as you land you can do a little island hopping while in Thailand, but you may need your final destination to be Ko Phi Phi.

Rather than dealing with the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, it is possible to go to the Phi Phi Islands and enjoy white sand beaches and crystal-clear water. A combination of lush greenery and mountainous terrain makes this place a unique blend of beautiful you could enjoy. Not a bad deal for one of the least expensive places to travel.

2. Caye Caulker, Belize

The Belize Barrier Reef is filled with rich wildlife and a sea holding excellent diving points to make the most of the small island community.

Taking advantage of this remarkable city is easy as high-class resorts run in the tens of dollars, seldom breaking two amounts. It doesn’t get much better than this if you will need to travel on a budget. For young people, there are tons of opportunities for studying and interacting.

3. Cusco, Peru

The former capital of the Inca Empire retains impressive ancient ruins, unlike anything you may see on the rest of Earth. Along with the ancient city ruins there are several remains from the Spanish settlements which were formed when the area was defeated

It’s a place that everyone should see, and due to its affordability and availability, it’s the best location for young people to go to. You’re going to want to see this extreme landscape while your body is strong enough to hike the trails you can’t access by car.

4. Cobán, Guatemala

This Guatemalan town is a nature lover’s dream destination. Experience the natural waterfalls and caves tucked one of the lushness of this gorgeous area of the planet. It’s ideal for young people and especially people who are attempting to save money. Las Victoria’s National Park is a hiker’s paradise providing several hours of hiking through the wooded expanse of paths.

One of the few problems that travelers face in Guatemala is the distance from one site to another, but in the event of Cobán, you’re in a place that could keep you exploring eternally. Spending time in nature, you’ll wind up getting an incredible set of memories for a remarkably low cost.

5. Budapest, Hungary

If you’re already in Europe, Budapest is a favorite destination, but it’s often overlooked by those not familiar with the region. I was amazed when I planned my trip to hear from many of my worldly friends that it was their favorite city and also among the cheapest places to travel (although it’s technically two cities, Buda and Pest). And after seeing it, I understand why.

Hotels and daily expenses are somewhat inexpensive, and recent construction booms have created “resorts” that use empty flats, providing travelers affordable access to high scale accommodations. The town feels young and full of life as it’s extremely easy to travel to on a budget. The city is very walk able, and public transport is cheap and dependable.