oleh admin | Agu 15, 2025 | culture, design, events and festivals, festivals, thailand
Prepare yourself to feel the artistic pulse of southern Thailand with the return of Pakk Taii Design Week 2025 (PTDW2025), now in its third year, taking place from August 28 to September 7 in the historic town center of Songkhla and the Hat Yai area within Songkhla Province.
Hosted by the Creative Economy Agency, this year’s gathering is centered around the theme “South Paradise: Come To The South And Recharge To Heaven.” Crafted as a sanctuary for peace, artistic expression, and genuine interaction, the festival unites artists from 14 southern regions in an impactful tribute to local heritage and progress.
The PTDW2025 initiative seeks to present southern Thailand not only as a tourist spot but also as a hub for culture and creativity, offering a peaceful retreat where individuals can discover tranquility, motivation, and fresh viewpoints.
Amidst the current era defined by unpredictability, financial turbulence, environmental issues, and evolving international regulations, the yearning for a more deliberate and significant way of living has reached an all-time high. In response to this deep-seated wish, the festival offers an extensive, multifaceted lineup that highlights the transformative potential of artistic expression in fostering recovery and development.
Spanning Southern food, modern handicrafts, design, clothing, buildings, and melodies, guests will experience a dynamic mix of regional creativity through displays, shows, discussions, hands-on sessions, escorted visits, and an energetic artisan marketplace.
The event this year strongly highlights cooperation among the public and private sectors, local communities, and artists.
By offering engaging programs centered around four main experiences — Times of Peace, The Practice of Unwinding, Spaces That Revitalize, and Areas Free from Anxiety — the gathering encourages participants to consider how architecture and cultural elements contribute to individual health and long-term economic development.
The historical district of Songkla Old Town will act as an essential location for this journey, where ancient alleys are turned into areas reflecting the region’s rich diversity and progressive future.
A key attraction at PTDW2025 is the South Destress Main Pavilion, an open area designed to help guests reconnect with happiness via hands-on displays and presentations highlighting local enterprises and community assets.
In the meantime, the 14 City Potential Space will showcase the finest offerings from every province using the perspectives of traditional skills, gourmet cuisine, creative design, and sustainability awareness. At the South Market, visitors can discover distinctive items and innovations from both new and experienced business owners, while exclusive joint initiatives will highlight groundbreaking collaborations among regional artists, academic organizations, and international connections.
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oleh admin | Agu 15, 2025 | beautiful places, nature, tourist attractions, travel destinations, world
Located in northwest England, nestled between the Irish Sea and the valleys of Cumbria, the Lake District National Park boasts some of the nation’s most dramatic and breathtaking scenery. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this region has inspired authors across generations, showcasing a Britain that is untamed and majestic, vastly different from picturesque villages and well-kept gardens. Let’s take a look!
The mere mention could bring to mind lakes, yet it represents a realm of dramatic mountains, open heaths battered by wind, powerful rivers, and arid stones that truly define this famous English scenery. It serves as an inspiration for poets and hikers, blending a challenging weather pattern, the essence of rural England, and a sense of grandeur. Below are several areas to understand its wide range, stretching from the accessible southern part of Windermere to the wild summits of Scafell Pike.
Between Windermere and Grasmere, lakes, rural trails, and poetic literature
Windermere is the largest lake in
England
17 kilometers long. It signifies the southern boundary of the park. Although numerous ferries and motorboats operate here, the tree-lined shore, scattered with small hills, remains peaceful and walkable, especially near Bowness and Ambleside. Moving further north, Grasmere, a quintessential British village, lies within more subdued scenery. The hillsides feature traditional stone cottages and blooming groves. This is where the poet William Wordsworth, an influential figure in English Romantic literature, took up residence in the early…
th
century. You may still tour his home, Dove Cottage, along with St Oswald’s Church, where he rests.
Scafell Pike and the northern valleys
How different just a short distance can make! From Wasdale Head, ascending to Scafell Pike, England’s tallest mountain at 978 meters, is a rugged journey marked by loose stones and shadowy cliffs wrapped in fog. Even further west lies Wast Water, the nation’s deepest lake, nestled between sharp hillsides, evoking images similar to those found in Scottish highlands. Heading farther north, the landscapes of Borrowdale and Buttermere provide broader views, where walking trails trace clean rivers and pass through gentle gaps, bordered by ferns and purple heath.
Lake Coniston and the southwest shores
Located southwest of the Lake District, the shores of Coniston Water offer a calmer respite. Starting from the village of Hawkshead, the road slowly reveals itself to the lake below, framed by the impressive shape of the Old Man of Coniston (803 meters), an emblematic hill in this area. Along the eastern coast stands Brantwood House, which has been the residence of poet and artist John Ruskin since 1872; it showcases his watercolors, documents, and workspace offering views over the lake. In Coniston, a modest museum gathers remembrances related to both Ruskin and Donald Campbell, the pilot who met a tragic end on the lake while attempting a speed record in 1967. This final spot combines the tranquility of the location with tales from history.
Lake District National Park
Murley Moss
Oxenholme Road
LA9 7RL Kendal
www.lakedistrict.gov.uk
oleh admin | Agu 15, 2025 | disasters, greece, incident, natural disasters, tragedies
Three individuals, among them two visitors from Vietnam, lost their lives in Greece on Friday when strong winds fueled wildfires and caused disruptions to ferry services affecting tens of thousands of vacationers during the summer season.
Over 200 firefighters, supported by 11 aerial water tankers and seven helicopters, were fighting a fire near Keratea, south of Athens, according to Costas Tsigkas, president of the association of Greek firefighting officials.
ERT
state television.
“He mentioned it was a challenging blaze,” he stated, referring to strong winds and noting that multiple areas had been vacated.
Firefighters found the remains of an older individual within their scorched house in Keratea, with strong winds affecting the operation of aerial firefighting units, according to Vassilis Vathrakogiannis, a spokesperson for the fire department, during a media update.
An
AFP
A journalist from the neighboring town of Palaia Fokaia, approximately 45 kilometers (28 miles) south of Athens, witnessed flames engulfing a home and dense smoke filling the atmosphere.
Emergency responders were running quickly to position hoses and extinguish the fire, as a helicopter flew above to release water.
Previously, another fire on the island of Cephalonia had been contained, according to local authorities, whereas Vathrakogiannis stated that conditions “have improved” on the Peloponnese peninsula located west of Athens.
The Ministry of Civil Protection stated that wind speeds could peak at 88 kilometers per hour, particularly in the southern Aegean region and the Sea of Crete.
The National Weather Service EMY stated that the wind speeds would decrease after midnight, yet the Civil Protection Ministry issued the highest wildfire alerts for multiple regions on Saturday, such as the Attica area, which encompasses Athens.
Earlier, the coast guard reported that a Vietnamese man and woman from a cruise ship tour group had passed away at Sarakiniko Beach on the tourist island of Milos in the Cyclades.
“A man and a woman were discovered lying unconsciously in the water and were transported to the nearby medical facility,” stated a spokesperson from the coast guard.
A woman slipped into the water, and the man seemingly attempted to rescue her.
‘Left stranded’
Strong winds forced numerous ferries to remain in port, disrupting the primary means of transportation that links thousands of islands and supports their vital tourism industry.
The coastguard stated that the majority of ferry services could not leave on time from Piraeus and other Athenian harbors, particularly heading towards the Cyclades or Dodecanese islands. Some trips were cancelled while others were delayed.
In Piraeus, many passengers gathered outside a boat heading towards the Cyclades’ islands of Paros and Naxos, hoping for updates about an upcoming sail.
Close by, travelers who were stuck gathered around backpacks and luggage, forming a long line outside a ticket counter, making urgent phone calls in an attempt to change their plans and salvage their trips.
“there are long queues, lots of chaos, everyone is waiting under the sun and it’s a really difficult situation,” said Philip Elias, an American visitor.
Maritime links with the Saronic islands close to Athens, such as Aegina, Hydra, Poros, and Spetses, along with the Ionian Sea remained undisturbed, according to the coastguard.
Greece typically experiences strong winds during this season, with fire crews having dealt with multiple significant fires this summer, such as those on the islands of Evia and Chios, along with incidents in the western part of the Peloponnese.
oleh admin | Agu 13, 2025 | chelsea f.c., european football, football clubs, news, sports
Chelsea promises to be an exciting team to follow this season as Enzo Maresca’s squad has significantly improved compared to last year. Maresca implemented 419 changes to his starting lineup during the previous campaign, surpassing all other top European clubs. Following the latest transfer window, he now has seven central defenders available. His aim was to provide backup for Levi Colwell, along with added competition and support for team staple Marc Cucurella. Additionally, he has brought in Jorrel Hato, who primarily featured for Ajax last season. Despite being just 18 years old, Hato is versatile enough to play on either side.
The young Dutch player has moved to the team for £37 million and inked a seven-year contract. Interestingly, he led Ajax at just 17 years old and has played 111 matches for the club. He has earned six call-ups with his national team.
Several members of Chelsea’s new team additions will feature in their opening home match versus Crystal Palace. This includes Hato, Joao Pedro (valued at £60 million), Jamie Gittens (worth £51.1 million), Liam Delap (priced at £30 million), Estevao Willian (costing £29.1 million), and Dario Essugo (at £18.5 million). Meanwhile, Mamadou Sarr (£12 million) and Kendry Paez (¥17.3 million) have been sent on loan to Strasbourg.
Chelsea have allocated £250 million throughout the transfer period, ranking them just behind Liverpool, who have committed £295.5 million.
Jackson vs. Watkins: Which one is superior?
Is Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea a superior choice compared to Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa? According to Aston Villa manager Unai Emery, yes. He has informed his team that Jackson represents a more promising option for the upcoming season, drawing upon his familiarity with the player during his time at the Spanish side Villarreal, where he played a key role in developing the Senegalese star’s career.
Emery thinks Jackson could achieve more than he has at Chelsea, and there’s incentive for the striker to switch teams due to the addition of Liam Delap and Joao Pedro at Stamford Bridge, pushing Jackson down to third-choice status. There’s also a chance that Xavi Simons might join from RB Leipzig, further worsening Jackson’s prospects. He may find it difficult to get playing time at Stamford Bridge, but under Emery, he would probably receive individual attention and be swiftly integrated into Villa’s attacking lineup.
Chelsea is asking for £80 million for Jackson, who has an eight-year deal remaining, though this amount may be excessive for both Villa and the other team showing interest, Newcastle.
Can Amorim guide Manchester United to a championship victory?
Bruno Fernandes turned down an offer to move to Al-Nassr, a team in the Saudi Pro League, and took part as Manchester United’s captain in a friendly game versus Everton, which concluded with a score of 2-2.
This is intriguing since Bruno both scored and earned player-of-the-match honors even though he openly criticized his teammates for lacking effort and pushed the club to sign better-quality players. Although he isn’t currently popular among the team members, he makes a valid argument, and he’s aware that should Ruben Amorim fail to begin the upcoming season strongly, he might face dismissal—and Fernandes certainly wouldn’t want that for his Portuguese teammate. Facing Arsenal next week presents a challenging task.
The new addition, Bryan Mbeumo, played for 45 minutes on the field and contributed to the Red Devils’ victory in the Premier League Summer Series, as they defeated West Ham, Bournemouth, and Everton to claim the title.
Manchester United’s initial lineup, indicating how Coach Ruben Amorim envisions the first Premier League match against Arsenal on August 17, includes Bayindir, Amad, Yoro, de Ligt, Shaw, Dalot, Ugarte, Mainoo, Fernandes, Cunha, and Mbeumo.
Newcastle targets FC Porto forward
Newcastle have acknowledged they may be unable to sign Benjamin Sesko, with FC Porto forward Samu Aghehowa under consideration as an alternative for the strike position. The Spanish player is estimated to be worth £70 million, a fee that Newcastle can manage.
Manchester United are keen on securing Sesko, who considers them his top choice, and it’s reported that he has reached an agreement on individual terms. If more transfers aren’t completed, Newcastle will face a less strong attacking lineup. The players they aimed to bring in have opted for different clubs instead of moving to St James’ Park. Liam Delap and Joao Pedro went to Chelsea, and Newcastle had targeted both Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumbo, but both have ended up at Manchester United.
Liverpool secured the signing of Hugo Ekitike before Newcastle could, leaving Coach Eddie Howe disappointed and questioning his scouting department. Although they will participate in the UEFA Champions League next season, apart from Anthony Elanga and Aaron Ramsdale, they lack additional high-quality additions. Additionally, there remains the challenging status of Alexander Isak.
Isak decides to undergo training in Spain.
The Alexander Isak situation continues… Eddie Howe remained quiet when questioned about the status of his Newcastle forward. The Swedish player joined his team-mates following his absence from the club’s trip to the Far East.
Strangely enough, what kept Howe silent was Isak’s choice to go to Spain lately and train at Real Sociedad’s facility rather than work with his Newcastle fitness squad in Benton. Staff members who didn’t head east are fully capable of conducting training sessions. Isak brought his own private fitness team with him to Spain. What’s remarkable is that Eddie Howe mentioned he found out where Isak was because he saw it reported in the media!
Liverpool made an offer surpassing £100 million, which Newcastle rejected.
An announcement issued from Anfield stated that they will not increase their offer. Nevertheless, I believe the situation might not be concluded yet. Isak has openly expressed his desire to depart from northeastern England and move to the northwestern region, specifically Liverpool. Although he could request a transfer, this option is typically considered as a final measure and often causes tension between players and their teammates or club authorities.
Forest takes advantage of an opportunity to sign Douglas Luiz
Following his move from Aston Villa to Juventus last year, matters have not unfolded as expected for the central player, Douglas Luiz.
The player from Brazil has faced a challenging period due to injuries and unpredictable play; he participated in just 27 matches throughout various tournaments. Last week, he skipped a practice session and will now face financial penalties from the team as well as being listed for transfer.
Arrive at Nottingham Forest…the determined Midlands-based team has initiated talks with Juventus regarding the acquisition of Luiz, yet there are two challenges. Firstly, they must persuade him to move to one of the rising but not as high-profile teams in the Premier League. Secondly, they need to reach an agreement on a fee they can manage financially.
Luiz has mentioned he is willing to consider a transfer, though only Nottingham Forest have shown interest so far. Due to budget limitations, Forest are exploring the possibility of a temporary signing, with the potential to make it permanent after the upcoming season. They can provide Luiz with European competition participation next season for the first time in three decades, which should appeal to him; additionally, reports indicate they might offer him a yearly salary of £5 million through a contract extending to 2030.
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oleh admin | Agu 13, 2025 | beaches, portugal, recreation and leisure activities, tourist attractions, travel destinations
Walk along the scenic roads of this lovely coastal town in Portugal, known as a top destination for surfers.
Ericeira, Portugal’s surfing paradise
This tiny coastal village, home to less than 7,000 people, is most famous for being a surfer’s dream destination, a place where life moves at a relaxed pace, far removed from the busy energy of Portugal’s main city. It boasts countless stretches of beautiful coastline—some of which are regarded as…
best surfing spots
In Europe, the coastal town of Ericeira thrives on the sound of crashing waves. Both in summer and winter, groups of surfers—ranging from professionals to beginners—gather in this charming small village located just a 45-minute drive from Lisbon. However, this renowned surfing destination offers far more than its rugged natural beauty—the town boasts numerous lively spots influenced by California’s vibe, along with famous local eateries. Here are our top recommendations for an exceptional visit to Ericeira.
Things to do while staying in Ericeira?
Eat some fish and sea food in a
marisqueira
The
marisqueira
These charming seafood eateries offering fresh daily catches have evolved into essential landmarks along the Portuguese coastline. There’s no need to request a menu since one isn’t provided. Before settling down—often alongside other locals or visitors—you can personally craft today’s specialty by choosing from the fish and sea creatures showcased near the entrance, or occasionally right within the kitchen area. We highly suggest the
Canastra
, which boasts a remarkable position right at the cliff’s edge, offering stunning views of spectacular sunsets.
Give surfing a try
Attempt to surf
Have a go at surfing
Take up surfing for a bit
Experience the thrill of surfing
See how you do with surfing
Go for a session of surfing
Dive into the world of surfing
Test your skills at surfing
Get some practice riding waves
Ericeira’s shores offer an ideal setting for surfers at every skill level. The village features a variety of surfing locations, such as
Ribeira d’Ilhas beach
one of the best-known surfing locations
in Portugal
and the globe. However, this is also the perfect spot to start learning the sport—master a professional-style takeoff within an hour by enrolling in an initial class offered by one of the numerous surfing academies located along each beach. For those who prefer a more relaxed experience, you can appreciate the view from atop the cliffs. Plenty of excitement available!
Devote the afternoon to visiting a winery
Having spent the morning riding the surf, how about heading inland to wrap up the day at a
quinta
(to farm), to visit the vineyards and sample the regional wines?
Quinta de Sant’Ana
It is a privately owned, environmentally conscious, and sustainable winery located only 20 minutes away from Ericeira. This offers an excellent chance to explore regional wines like Arinto, a classic Portuguese white grape known for its strong acidity and citrus undertones, set within a picturesque environment.
Go to the Sintra-Cascois Natural Park
Located just thirty minutes’ drive from Ericeira, the Sintra-Cascois Natural Park hosts some of Portugal’s most impressive attractions, such as
Pena Palace, a vibrant castle
constructed atop a hill within the magical village of Sintra. The garden also houses the westernmost location on the European mainland,
Cabo da Roca
a location that the poet Luís de Cames referred to as “the spot where the land meets the sea.”
Lying in the sun on one of the town’s numerous shorelines
Ericeira could easily be known as the city boasting a thousand and one shores. Indeed, a week isn’t nearly sufficient to explore every beach located within and near the town. Warm sunlit golden sands extending beyond sight, rocky outcrops painted in earthy tones crowned with vibrant greenery, and sapphire-colored waters calling out for a dip… these coastlines provide an ideal setting for your vacation, ensuring your visit to Ericeira becomes unforgettable.
