Drift Travel Summer 2018

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MAGNIFICENT MOROCCO

AN EXTRAORDINARY HOMECOMING

THE BALCONY OF EUROPE A PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY THROUGH GEORGIA

IN SEARCH OF PASSION

SAILING TO ROMANTIC DESTINATIONS

HAWAII’S BEST KEPT SECRET THE ENCHANTING HAWAIIAN ISLAND OF KAUAI

CASTLE ON THE COAST LUXURY FAMILY TRAVEL IN VICTORIA, CANADA

SUMMER 2018

COME ALONG ON THE JOURNEY at DRIFTTRAVEL.COM

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CONTEST TIME! Forged from aerospace grade titanium, the Hook provides the ultimate in comfort and durability. And with their lifetime guarantee, you never have to worry about taking them along for the adventure.

The Hook’s classic styling and revolutionary titanium construction is the foundation for the entire William Painter line. It was created to challenge outdated ideas.

or visit drifttravel.com/giveaways/giveaway-sunglasses/

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PUBLISHER GLOSSY MEDIA

CREATIVE DIRECTOR STEVE DRAKE PRODUCTION/EDITORIAL ERIC HIMEL, BETSY CROWFOOT, RUSS WALSH, REBECCA TALBOT, LESLEY DIANA, SARAH CASEWIT, RUSSEL JAMES, LAUREN ECKSTROM, J L THOMPSON, LINDSEY CLARKE, LYNNE MACDONALD CREATIVE | PHOTOGRAPHY THE MOORING, TODD TALBOT, REBECCA TALBOT, BOOKING.COM, ADOBE STOCK, LESLEY DIANA, SARAH CASEWIT, HELLY HANSON, SHERATON KAUAI RESORT, KAUAI SEA TOURS, KAUAI BACKCOUNTRY ADVENTURES, FAIRMONT EMPRESS HOTEL, RUSSELL JAMES, LAUREN ECKSTROM, STEVE DRAKE ADVERTISING & PUBLISHING RIGHTS INQUIRIES sales@DRIFTtravel.com | www.DRIFTtravel.com Published by: Glossy Media All rights reserved. No part of DRIFT magazine may be copied or reproduced without permission. © COPYRIGHT DRIFT TRAVEL MAGAZINE GLOSSY MEDIA 2015-2018

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INSIDE this issue MOROCCO 6 MAGNIFICENT An extraordinary journey home SEARCH OF PASSION 14 IN Romantic sailing destinations

GEAR 20 TRAVEL New and cool travel products WORTHY 22 INSTAGRAM Places that require no filters ON THE COAST 32 CASTLE A luxe family vacation in Victoria, BC

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TO WHERE? 38 READY Eric Himel’s Life + Style EN ROUTE 40 YOGA Yoga hacks for travelers

HOT SPOTS 60 CRUISING 5 trending destinations

BALCONY OF EUROPE 66 GLASGOW 46 THE A Photographic Journey to Georgia Scotland’s city of art & culture

HOME TO MOROCCO

A JOURNEY HOME FOR SARAH CASEWIT

EYES OF ITS PEOPLE

56 CROATIA A vacation to the past

A PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY THROUGH GEORGIA

PASSIONATE PLACES

SAILING TO ROMANCE DESTINATIONS

KAUAI, HAWAII THE ENCHANTINF HAWAIIAN ISLAND

70 KAUAI Hawaii’s best kept secret

GREAT VIEWS

INSTAGRAM WORTHY RESORTS MAY/JUNE 2018

COME ALONG ON THE JOURNEY at DRIFTTRAVEL.COM

From lush green mountainsides in Georgia and ancient Croatia cities, to Canada’s coastal castle and a homecoming in Morocco, this issue of DRIFT magazine takes you on the ultimate travel adventure. No passport required.

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Morocco A Journey Back Home BY: SARAH CASEWIT

Feeling hungover from my 11hour flight to Casablanca, I approach the immigration desk where a friendly face with a bushy mustache greets me with “Salaam” (literally meaning “peace”). Dazed from exhaustion, I respond “Alaykum Salaam” and hand over my passport. He scans my ID page with a watchful eye. Name. Sarah Casewit. Place of Birth. Morocco.

Nationality. USA. He looks up at me and asks in Arabic, “Where’s your Moroccan passport? I can’t let you through without a Moroccan ID.” Stunned out of my stupor, I realize my mistake. Never speak in Arabic to the immigrations guy. It’s just confusing and leads to open-ended questions about my identity that I can’t begin to answer. I quickly switch back to English and play it cool. I say that I am an American who happened to be born in Morocco, and that I am merely a tourist in his country.

My country, too, really, but I kept that to myself.

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I’ll be honest. I never thought I’d return to Morocco as a traveler especially having lived here for 20 years. Isn’t travel supposed to offer perpetual excitement of being in an unfamiliar place? Shouldn’t it have an element of the unknown by default? That’s what I thought too, until recently.

Born in Marrakech in the late 80s and raised in Fez and Rabat throughout the 90s, I lived in a relatively untouched Morocco, before it gained worldwide fame as a boho-chic tourist hotspot; before the big hotel chains took over the desert palmeraie. As a family, we

traveled far and wide across the country, embracing every aspect of the culture as our own. We used to spend our summer holidays in the azure town of Chefchaouen, spring breaks in the Ourika Valley, and winter vacations skiing down the Atlas Mountains.

My parents reluctantly accepted that their four blond children spoke terribly broken English and couldn’t name the 50 states. But hey, they started it. They made it a point to completely immerse us into Moroccan culture and raise us with its deep-rooted values. Arabic was my first language and I knew

little to nothing about American culture. I went to Moroccan public schools and had a very traditional lifestyle. Couscous on Fridays-as is the Moroccan custom; haggling for slippers in the souk; getting kaftans made at the tailor; riding public transport at age eight; splashing around the local hammam; and so on. This was a home to me and nothing out of the ordinary. But I realize this now: I was living every traveler’s fantasy childhood without knowing it and I am forever indebted to Morocco.

I left Morocco to study religion and culture in different parts of the TRAVEL OFTEN . LIVE WELL . 9

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world. I later had the opportunity of working in the luxury travel industry for some years, where I paired my knowledge with logistical expertise. Once I discovered my love for travel and realized its transformative capacity on one’s soul, I decided to launch Naya Traveler with two like-minded and inspiring women who share my vision. It is personal for me. I want to offer a way of exploring cultures that pays tribute to my childhood, to my incredibly fortunate experience growing up in Morocco. Needless to say, Morocco had to be one of our main destinations at Naya Traveler.

Titus Burckhardt, a family friend who dedicated his life to protecting the old Fez as a UNESCO heritage site, once said: “In order to understand a culture, it is necessary to feel affinity for its values.” I have more than just an affinity to Morocco’s cultural values. They are practically my own. So, I decide to go back to Morocco--this time as a traveler, which brings me back to the beginning of my story.

Being a stranger in Morocco is... a strange feeling. It’s like meeting your ex after an awkward breakup - we’ve all been there, right? Will he recognize me? Will I remember

him as I left him? Does he still think of me like I do?

The moment I clear customs, I am treated as a foreigner and spoken to as a newcomer. It is jarring and leaves me with a sense of loss. Questioning your own identity when you think you have it all figured out is quite a startling experience.

However, after getting over the overwhelming feeling of disconnect, I start to see Morocco in a whole new light; one that is fed by my renewed curiosity and reverence to its cultural diversity and sophistication. My

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mission with Naya Traveler was to develop experiences that were true to the culture, authentic and unique. Thanks to this purpose that spearheaded my journey, I became aware of subtleties that I had taken for granted as a child. The palpable spirituality in people’s mannerisms. The strength of tradition that continues to withstand the influences of modern society. The dazzling colors, sounds and smells that can’t be captured on Instagram. The unshakable faith people have in destiny and fate. The mindblowing number of sacred spaces in every village, town and city. My home

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country is manifesting itself in a new light, right before my very eyes.

During my “re-familiarization” trip, I trace my footsteps back to places I knew well growing up and rekindle my relationship with familiar landscapes. I am comforted by the strong acquaintance yet inspired by a revived sense of wonder.

Marrakesh is even livelier than I had left it, filled with an energy that can only be found within its pink walls. Fez retains its medieval feel and undeniable sacred history that reverberates from the ancient

alleyways. Rabat, the seaward gem of Morocco, is still calm and collected yet newly dynamic and metropolitan. The villages of Imlil and Asni in the Atlas Mountains are maybe more developed than I remember, but Berber culture remains strong and dominant.

The far-flung villages in Zagora, to my surprise, have not changed one bit.

The most defining moment during this journey takes place in an adobe house, tucked deep in the High Atlas Mountains, overlooking the Ziz Valley. I am sitting with a Berber family on

the patio of their beautiful home, sharing a pot of tea, homemade bread, and a bowl of exquisite olive oil from the local mill. The father has a kind face with sharp features and piercing eyes--typical traits of Berber men from the region.

He is telling me about life in his village and I share stories of my childhood spent near this valley.

His daughter takes my hand to show me their simple house: rustic carpets and plush pillows seem to be the entirety of their belongings.

She describes her daily life to me and asks me about my own. As we’re sitting on the floor, talking and giggling away, I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for being given the opportunity to connect and learn from a local in such an intimate setting.

It is after such experiences that I feel inspired to create journeys that go beyond the tourist route, that don’t just scratch the surface. Thanks to Naya Traveler, I am blessed, yet again, with the opportunity to learn from Morocco and gain a brand new perspective. I am able to pair my past with the present in a way that allows me to focus on the true essence of Morocco’s culture and traditions. It is an opportunity of a lifetime--to design trips with all my heart and soul.

They say travel should take you to new places and uncharted lands for the full effect. This is partly true. Exploring your own backyard

with a renewed perspective and a fresh sense of appreciation can be just as enriching, if not even more enriching. It can take what you already know to a deeper, transformative level and allow you to penetrate the intricacies of

a culture in a way you would have never imagined before.

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Islands of Romance Sail away to these passionate places BY: BETSY CROWFOOT

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hether you are planning your honeymoon, a surprise for your special someone, or any other romantic getaway, nothing says romance like secluded beaches, golden sunsets, champagne, and a private yacht under your feet. Let us whisk you away to five passionate places that will surely impress the object of your affection.

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Tobago Cays – Does the dream of a stirring sail on a lively cobalt sea get your blood running? Set course on an invigorating reach from St. Vincent, then pick up a mooring inside Horseshoe Reef: a crescent of white foam separating your little piece of paradise from the roaring Atlantic. Calm and protected, you swim with turtles and rays, and loll on deck blissfully while Boat Boys in colorful dinghies deliver drinks and provisions. Rest up: it’s a bracing sail back to St. Vincent, where an island of exploration awaits.

Abacos – Surprise your loved one with a stress-free getaway to the Abacos. These northernmost islands of the Bahamas archipelago are just an hour from Florida’s east coast; perfect if a long weekend is all you can squeeze in. Cruise the scattered slender isles abreast Marsh Harbor and enjoy romantic strolls on endless white sandy beaches. Venture to Hope Town, a charming island settlement where you can rent bikes to explore the windswept turf by day, the bars and restaurants at night.

British Virgin Islands – The BVI is party central! Don’t come here for solitude; but if you want to meet new friends and enjoy the camaraderie of other sailors from around the world, this postcardlike setting is the place. Despite hurricane damage, the BVI is up and running and as beautiful as ever. Famed bars have been rebuilt, and the nightlife grand. Dance yourselves into a lather at Foxy’s (or any of a dozen iconic beach bars) and zip back to the boat for a moonlight skinny dip in the balmy waters. We won’t tell.

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French Polynesia – Fragrant breezes that caress your skin. Juicy ripe fruits that run down your chin. The pulsating beat of the lively music. Coral reefs sprinkled with a confetti of fish. French Polynesia engages every one of your senses, as you paddle, hike, dive and explore the bounty of one exotic island after another. Evoke the ancient Polynesian voyagers, with the wind and the stars as your guide. Get into the rhythm of the tropics, in Tonga or Tahiti.

Grenada – Your bonding break soars to new heights in Grenada: the adventure island. Swim in tepid seas in the morning and rinse off in a cool waterfall in the afternoon. All told, this lush 134-square-mile island offers a ridiculous amount of opportunities for togetherness: sail, swim, hike, bike, fish, kayak, river tube, play golf, cricket and tennis. You can even snorkel or dive on an underwater sculpture garden.

What to do with that hearty appetite you’ve worked up? Well it is the Spice Island, so belly up. This Garden of Eden hosts a bounty of fruits, vegetables and spices, which local restaurateurs aren’t shy about using. www.moorings.com

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Call 800.669.6529 moorings.com/drift

unwind Life doesn’t come with a reset button, but an undocked vacation without limits could be the next best thing.

Out here, sitting on the edge of the world, carefree living comes naturally and undisturbed paradise beckons in every direction. With every breath, capture another unforgettable moment on the water, and unwind—one blissful exhale at a time.

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TRAVEL GEAR HOT NEW TRAVEL PRODUCTS

BY: RUSS WALSH

Helly Hansen - Nagoya Jacket

A lightweight raincoat with 2 layer Helly TechÂŽ fabric keeps you dry whilst the minimalistic trims and detailing adds to this understated coat. Great for summer travel and easy to pack. In line with the five elements in Japanese philosophy the Influences Raincoat is simplistic, pure and designed with a straightforward approach. hellyhansen.com

The Neck Hammock

If you suffer form neck or back pain, here is some easy to pack relief. The Neck Hammock is a simple device that attaches to any door for neck pain relief in just ten minutes or less. Simply wrap it around any doorway, lie down, stretch out your neck muscles, and say goodbye to neck pain. neckhammock.com 20 . DRIFTTRAVEL.COM

LAY/N/GO

Washable cosmetic bag that converts into an easily transportable handled clutch allowing for quick and effortless use, clean-up and storage of your cosmetics. No more dumping your collection onto a towel or having to worry about your cosmetics rolling off the counter and onto the floor. After each use, simply pull the drawstring and the cosmetic bag is converted back into a completely sealed soft clutch. theartofcarryon.com

Odorless Socks

The MP Magic socks incorporate a super comfortable design, with silver, copper and zinc-infused, integrated with mineral substance, antibacterial fabrics that work hard to make your feet odorless! These innovative socks are odorless, comfortable, antibacterial, super durable, and breathable. This metal infusion technique was originally developed for the aerospace industry. meltmall.com

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Instagram Worthy

Places 22 . DRIFTTRAVEL.COM

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Azulik – Adult Eco-Resort and Maya Spa – Tulum, Mexico Nature lovers, check-in and chill out under the stars at candle-lit hideaway Azulik Eco Resort. This adults-only beach resort offers beautiful wooden tree houses made from Mexican-royal-ebony Khatalosh and features floor-to-ceiling windows providing unmatched natural light - just what you need to capture that glowing magic hour selfie.

Thanks to the secluded location overlooking the lush jungle and Caribbean Sea, that perfect shot will be a cinch to capture. See previous page for birds-eye view.

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Alpin Panorama Hotel Hubertus - Valdaora, Italy Featuring the largest rooftop terrace in Valdaora, Hotel Hubertus is an ideal place to admire the breathtaking views of the Dolomites and the Vedrette di Ries Mountains.

As pools go, Hotel Hubertus’ sky-high infinity pool is probably one of the world’s most dramatic. Take a picture from an unusual viewpoint and you’ve got yourself a fabulous Instagram post that will be sure to make your friends’ jaws drop.

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The Cambrian – Adelboden, Switzerland It’s no secret that certain types of photos generate more Likes than others on Instagram, and we think pool shots with a mountainous backdrop will fare quite well amongst your followers. With panoramic views of the Swiss Alps, The Cambrian is located in the center of Adelboden and features an outdoor heated pool overlooking the mountains. Snap a shot and take a dip pre or après-ski, or skip the slopes altogether and float around until it’s fondue time. This is Switzerland, after all.

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O Céu de Boipeba – Ilha de Boipeba, Brazil Lush green jungles, unspoiled beaches, the pristine waters of the South Atlantic, and a beautiful clear blue sky – your uninterrupted Brazilian view is courtesy of Céu de Boipeba guest house on Boipeba Island. Relax in one of the hammocks overlooking the Praia de Cueira, and enjoy a refreshing cocktail before capturing and posting an eye-catching image for your followers to see (and Like!). Feeling adventurous? Trek along the beach to Morere where low tides attract tourists looking to take a dip in the natural pools.

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Royal Mansour Marrakech – Marrakech, Morocco A spectacular masterpiece that showcase the handiwork of Morocco’s most skilled artisans, Royal Mansour Marrakech is surely Marrakech’s best-dressed stay that reflects the true essence of Moroccan tradition. Don’t forget to stop by Marrakech’s labyrinth of colourful markets with traditional goods and exotic aromas that will have your senses working overtime with smells, sounds and sights you (and your followers) will never forget. After maxing and relaxing in what feels like a real life Insta-worthy shot, we don’t blame you for being inspired to take the Moroccan aesthetic home with you! After all, you’re not alone, a study by Booking.com found that approximately 41% of travelers feel inspired to undertake interior design work when they return home from a holiday.

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Las Alcobas Napa Valley – St. Helena, California, USA Enjoy the sweeping Napa Valley views from the comfort of your private balcony at Las Alcobas Napa Valley, a new spa retreat in wine hotspot St Helena. Offering gorgeous views of the Napa Valley harvest action, it’s also located near the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone and is also a great base to explore the nearby Kornell Champagne Cellars. Here guests are more than welcome to start, finish and keep the day rolling with a glass of wine – or few.

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The Surin Phuket – Phuket, Thailand Surrounded by coconut trees on Pansea Beach’s white sand beach with matching clear turquoise waters, this beachfront property on the private bay is the perfect tropical getaway, and perfect location to capture your next Instagram gem. From a stunning sunset over the Andaman Sea to a picture-perfect meal of authentic Thai Cuisine, The Surin Phuket is every aesthetic-lover’s dream come true.

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Hale Kamalani Villa – Laie, Hawaii Representing Hawaii in Booking.com’s “Book The U.S.” campaign, this four-bedroom home has all the luxury amenities you could ask for in a purely natural Hawaii setting.

With two outdoor showers, a private pool and a balcony that overlooks the ocean, you’ll want to spend most of your time enjoying the beautiful outdoors and snapping those ready-to-post Insta shots. Take a walk along the white sandy beach, jump in the ocean for a refreshing swim or venture into the green rainforest mountains. Everywhere you go will surround you with the world’s most unbelievably lush beauty.

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a family vacation to

Canada’s Castle on the Coast

BY: REBECCA TALBOT

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During the celebrations of Canada’s 150th last year, our kids came home from school after a visit from the consulate asking if they had ever been to our Province’s capital. We thought about it and realized, no! Before having kids, Todd and I enjoyed renting scooters together in Victoria, visiting all of our old haunts, (we both had stints living on the Island in the past), so we added the journey to our list of things we wanted to do with the kids.

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The opportunity for a royal weekend presented itself when I was invited for the first time to join Todd as co-emcee for the SHINE Fashion Tea, a fundraiser for the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation being held at the harbor front Fairmont Empresss Hotel.

The event, the hotel and the general feeling for the whole weekend was one that evoked nostalgic hankerings for a romantic era gone by. As a bonus, we were able to fit the whole trip into one weekend, without the kids missing any school thanks to a 30 minute HeliJet ride and limousine shuttle service to and from Fairmont Empress via their BMW car. The more we travel, the more we find these little things which speed up travel time and maximize time spent at our destination, well worth the added cost.

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With so many opportunities for making memories, resting and relaxing right at our hotel, we had to make sure we took a couple of excursions to see the city. We took a drive around the harbor to see the parliament buildings and into Cadboro Bay where people were out enjoying the shoreline and walks down the 36 . DRIFTTRAVEL.COM

spits. The kids were especially thrilled with a couple of hours at the Royal BC Museum, seeing the whales and going on the pirate ship before an evening stroll down Government Street to experience quaint little shops fit into historic old buildings.

Back at the hotel, being a guest for a couple of nights felt like

a gift. The rich history of the Empress Hotel has recently been revived due to a $60 Million dollar renovation. We were able to enjoy a relaxed prince and princess afternoon tea on couches in the elegant Lobby Lounge and a visit by tea sommelier, Christian Elsing.

We were lucky to sample many

of his recommendations later in the Fairmont Gold lounge, a serene room outfitted in dusky blue fabrics and gold accents gleaming in the sunlight that streamed through the large windows overlooking the harbor.

A few dips in the warm “Mrs. Bosa’s” pool (as the locals referred to it) wore out the kids before dinner at Q at the Empress restaurant. Floor to ceiling portraits of the Empress herself, Queen Victoria, are hung on one wall of the restaurant to perpetually assess the great gatsby inspired dining room. In a hotel that begins with service and ends with Art Deco inspired nods to royalty and history, I have to assume that the austere expressions captured on each of her faces are looks of approval.

And for commoners like us, it gave us a taste of nobility for a day or two.

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Eric Himel’s LIFE+STYLE BY: ERIC HIMEL

The Fanny Pack Cinched around your waist or worn cross-body, this sensible bag leaves you handsfree to take selfies all day long.

YUZEFI BELT BAG

READY TO WHERE?!

The Sunhat Protection, yes, fashion, most definitely. Hide under a wide brim hat to block the rays as well as your eye-rolling.

KATE SPADE NEW YORK ‘OUT AND ABOUT’ SUNHAT

ERIC HIMEL (erichimel.com)

is a widely known celebrity stylist, fashion expert and media personality. Himel attended Parson’s School of Design and trained under Project Runway’s Tim Gunn. Now based in Los Angeles, Himel’s roster of celebrity clientele has included Jenny McCarthy, Giuliana Rancic, Pete Wentz, Gabby Douglas and more. Eric is best known for his signature Closet Purge™ and now offers Virtual Styling Sessions.

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LUCKY FOR YOU, CHIC ITERATIONS OF THE AMERICAN-TRAVELING-IN-EUROPE TROPES ARE AU COURANT SO YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SACRIFICE COMFORT AND PRACTICALITY FOR STYLE THIS SUMMER.

The Sensible Shoe Laces to strap you in and a platform to cushion your stride while you maneuver narrow cobblestone walkways.

The Cargo Pant Short and cropped, this new cargo is more streamline cool-chic, less paratrooper.

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JOIE ‘DABNIS PL ATFORM SNEAKERS’

The Flip Sunglass No more loosing your sunglasses, just flip these shades up and seamlessly move between cafes without squinting.

GA R R E T T L E I G H T X M A R K M C N A I R Y ‘VA L D E S E C H A R L I E’

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Yoga Lovers Travel Hacks

BY: LAUREN ECKSTROM

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If you love yoga and thrive in the daily ritual of stepping onto your mat, you know it can be difficult to maintain a practice while on the road. As a globe trotting yoga and meditation teacher, I understand this challenge firsthand. After traveling across almost every continent, I’ve evolved a personal approach to sustaining a daily practice with minimal interruption and maximum benefit.

Travel Hack #1: Bring your practice essentials with you, and make them travel size! Before you go on a trip, ask yourself: If I’m going to practice everyday what do I absolutely need to have with me in order to maintain this commitment? The answer to this question might be different for everyone, but decide for yourself what your “must have” item or items are and commit to packing them.

If you’re staying at a hotel with a gym or fitness center, call or email ahead of your stay and see if they have mats available.

Ask if the hotel can place a mat in your room when you arrive. If not, pack a travel mat.

While travel mats are thin, they are still worth bringing along.

Having a mat with you is a reminder to practice daily and

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a travel mat skips the hassle of lugging a large, heavy mat on your back during long travel days. Travel mats fold easily and take up limited space in a suitcase. When you arrive, unpack and set your mat out so that it’s ready for you first thing in the morning. This helps set the tone and reminds you of your commitment to a daily practice. If you like practicing with props, use extra pillows from the hotel bed as bolsters or folded towels from the bathroom as blocks!

Before each trip I create a small sachet of my favorite crystals (rose quartz and clear quartz) and essential oil rollons (lavender and frankincense from Pangea Organics). These items are small, light, and easily slip into my carryon. They are a reminder of the importance of my daily ritual no matter where I am in the world.

Finally, I download my favorite playlists to my phone so I have a variety of music to practice to with soundscapes ranging from chill and ambient to energizing and uplifting. You can find my favorite playlists on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/ user/125578900 42 . DRIFTTRAVEL.COM

Travel Hack #2: Remaining energized and healthy enough to step onto your mat each day is key. No matter where I’m traveling I bring 3 essential ingredients to support my overall health: a nightly pre/probiotic, a daily dose of greens, and portable healthy snacks.

A pre/pro-biotic helps ensure healthy digestion. Most people have heard of probiotics but I turn to a combination of pre and probiotics for complete digestive health. As every traveler knows, airplanes, time zone changes, and dietary shifts can result in traveler’s constipation. The heaviness created from slow digestion interferes with your energy and can even contribute to mood swings and lowered immunity. Taking a nightly dose

of pre/probiotic helps support healthy digestion and keeps you feeling excited to step onto your mat in the morning. My go-to pre/probiotic is Prescript Assist which doesn’t have to be refrigerated and travels easily.

Depending on where you’re traveling, you might not have access to fresh veggies. While nothing can replace fresh leafy greens, you can support your daily veggie intake with an easy to mix green powder such as Green Vibrance. Pour one packet or scoop of green powder into a reusable bottle, add 8 oz of filtered water, shake and drink first thing in the morning.

This daily dose of greens enhances immunity and keeps your body healthy.

Most importantly, be prepared with snacks! Before every trip I make a quick stop at the local health food store for travel snacks that easily fit into my carryon or purse. I purchase snacks not only for my travel days but also for the days I’m on the road. This ensures that I always have something healthy to turn to no matter where I am in the world - and it means I avoid stomach bugs by staying away from roadside food, unfiltered water, or other potential traveler pitfalls. My go-to snacks include dried, unsweetened and unsulfured mango for fiber, raw almonds for good fat and energy, Justin’s almond butter packets for protein, and Endangered Species Fair Trade dark chocolate for something sweet (a must!).

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Travel Hack #3: Keep a journal.

Practicing while traveling is a unique experience. Many of the most profound and meaningful breakthroughs in my yoga practice have occurred while I was practicing abroad.

You might be exposed to a new environment - the sounds of nature, the challenge of a different atmosphere or temperature. As you tune into your body’s daily needs, your practice evolves from an organic place and what you discover very well might surprise you.

Keeping a journal of your daily experiences is a wonderful way to re enforce the gratitude you have for your practice, the insights that surface along the way, and the special memories created in distant places through your practice.

If you prefer to be guided by a teacher, jump onto the hotel wifi and stream classes to your smartphone, laptop or tablet with my online platform for yoga and meditation, Inner Dimension Media, innerdimensionmedia.com. This is a great way to share yoga with everyone you are traveling with and a great way to stay active, connected and feeling healthy your entire trip.

Enjoy your travels and share with us how you maintain your practice while on the road! laureneckstrom.com 44 . DRIFTTRAVEL.COM

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Georgia is not a country you visit, but one that you experience!

Pheasant’s Tears Winery is a must visit. It may as well be the best restaurant in all of Georgia. It is a winery that produces organic unfiltered wines in the millenniums-old Georgian tradition; most interesting part is that they don’t have a food menu; the head chef creates a Georgian feast which is served to guests who choose to have a meal here.

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GEORGIA a photographic journey

Featured Photographer: Russell James Born and brought up in the Kingdom of Bahrain, day job at a Hospitality Management Consultancy... But photography has always been my true passion at heart. Nature and landscape photography drives me. I like to pick a destination every year and visit to improve my photography. I believe that for any type of photography it’s not important to have, or immediately invest, in the best photography equipment. Rather master what equipment you already have as you learn something new every day. This was put to test when I took a short three day trip with my wife to the country of Georgia in June 2017. Being a short trip I didn’t want to lug around a lot of equipment, so I just carried my Sony A77II with a Sigma 10MM F2.8 Fisheye Lens and a very handy Sony RX100M3.

Instagram: @russelrj

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These breathtaking valleys of the Kazbegi region become a ski resort in winter, but June, everything was in bloom, snowcaps were melting and green pastures as far as the eye could see.

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Sitting on a steep hillside overlooking the Alazani Valley, Bodhe St. Nimo Monastery dates back to the 9th century, but very recently restored and remodeled.

Christian Artwork on the walls and ceilings of one of the churches at the St. Nino Monastery, the colors are absolutely stunning.

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The brick and domed rooftops of the baths bubble up like the water itself. According to legend, it was these Tbilisi Old City Sulphur Springs that enticed King Vakhtang Georgasali to settle the land and declare it the new capital city in the 5thcentury AD. Interestingly this image captures the old and new parts of the city in one frame.

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This is traditional Georgian candy; made from grape must and flour... and a variety of nuts and raisins.

Before heading to Kazbegi, we had a brief stopover at a local market, where we were treated to some churchkhela and chacha (grape vodka).

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This is what early mornings in June looks like in the Old City of Tbilisi. Technically Georgia is located in Eurasia, but its own people describe it in a very lovely way, it’s the balcony of Europe.

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The Gergeti Church is quite an uphill climb and well preserved, this image shows part of the protective rock wall built around it.

A full view of the “Devils Valley” was nothing short of heavenly, this was quite a difficult shot to capture, to get every detail in the frame I asked a fellow tourist to hold me while I leaned forward from the monument’s balcony, definitely worth it.

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Croatia

a vacation to the past BY: J L THOMPSON

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The tiny country of Croatia is a must-visit location for lovers of history, art, and the old-world Mediterranean. With towns that look like they are straight out of the Renaissance to castles from the Middle Ages, much of the country still looks like a long-vanished world. The country is so full of ancient Roman ruins, baroque churches, and houses built centuries ago that a trip across Croatia can seem like a trip back in time.

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Old World Towns The town of Osijek, built in a Gothic, baroque style, is a must-see for the sake of its amazing architecture. Trogir is a fascinating fortified town that was built in the Middle Ages.

The Istria peninsula is home to a number of towns that have stood since the days of the Roman Empire. However, travelers who want to pack the most into the least time need to visit the Island of Rab. This island is covered in historical monuments and the inhabitants put on a wide variety of traditional cultural activities and historic performances. The island is also home to regions of breathtaking natural wilderness.

Korcula, an island sitting just off of the major city of Dubrovnik, still sees regular performances of the traditional weapon dance, the MoreĹĄka.

Castles Croatia has all the castles and fortresses that anyone could want to see. The fortress of St. Nicholas, in Sibenik, is a particularly interesting sightseeing attraction.

It was built out on the ocean, and is still in perfect condition.

The Castle of St. Michael is more than 1,000 years old. The city of Dubrovnik actually is a giant fortress. It is surrounded by walls that are so thick that they actually have roads running inside them.

The Rector's Palace displays finely detailed ancient carvings and now serves as a museum.

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The Natural World Rock climbers come from all over the world to Paklenica's Great Gorge. This stunning feature of the natural world looks like a scene out of a fantasy movie. The Krka National Park is filled with long chains of beautiful stepped waterfalls. Systems of mineral water lakes that are colored like jewels adorn the Plitvice Lakes National Park. Sunbathers flock to the Makarska Riviera, a region famous for its pristine beaches and nightclubs.

Croatia is a land of wonders, both natural and man-made.

What makes traveling there worthwhile, though, is the way that so much of it seems to still exist in a world that has long since vanished. Throughout the country, people keep folkways and artistic traditions of the Baroque culture alive. It is well worth not just a sightseeing trip, but an extended stay.

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Top Cruises for 2018

No travel option affords you the opportunity to see the beauty of the world quite the way a cruise liner does. While some packages limit the amount of time you spend in a destination, the variety of locations on offer make the short stays worthwhile. Variety is, as they say, the spice of life. The wonders of all seven continents are available to you from the comfort and luxury of a cruise ship, and these are the destinations you should be considering on your next vacation.

The Caribbean The Caribbean is the ultimate cruise destination. It’s home to more than 7000 islands which feature white sand beaches and crystal waters, making it the perfect beach vacation spot.

What’s more, these islands all boast excellent temperatures for sunbathing thanks to the Caribbean’s proximity to the equator. You don’t need to leave the ship to enjoy the weather, though. You can still soak up the heat while island hopping.

Cruises around the Caribbean tend to be short, because sailing between islands is quick and easy. You can touch down on a Barbados beach and within a few days be enjoying the refreshing waters of St. Thomas.

The destinations you can travel to by cruise ship are incredibly diverse in the Caribbean. Where you go is essentially up to you.

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New Zealand New Zealand is famed for its inspiring landscape, most of which you can appreciate from the comfort of a cruise liner. As an island nation, the country is accessible by boat from all directions, whether you’re interested in the high-rise skyline of Auckland or the rural wonders of Christchurch. Most cruises circle the island before returning home, with stop-offs plentiful around the fjords in the south-west. Here, there’s little more to admire than the clear waters and gorgeous highland views.

Finding a cruise that takes you down to New Zealand isn’t difficult, because the local residents themselves have a great love for exploring the ocean. In 2017 alone, more than 190,000 people boarded a cruise from the country, with thousands more expected to do the same across the following year. Given New Zealand’s intense fascination with cruising, the island’s ports have grown prepared to cater to all those traveling from abroad via boat.

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Experience France in Canada France isn’t only embodied in Canada by the language that a portion of them speak. Spots like Saint Pierre and Miquelon off the Newfoundland coast recreate the essence of France without you having to cross the Atlantic. From typical cuisine found in the local patisseries to the museums set further back inland, there’s an authenticity to these municipalities that you won’t find elsewhere. Cruises departing from Fort Lauderdale and Miami make regular trips to the archipelago, particularly in the spring and summer months.

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Antarctica Antarctica is not incredibly habitable to humans. The freezing temperatures and barren landscape pose a serious threat to life. However, with some of the most breathtaking views in the world, a trip to the continent is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Depending on the cruise you embark on, the option to step ashore the icy wonderland may be available. This is reserved for smaller ships that can smoothly navigate the delicate environment of the Antarctic.

Most standard cruise liners skirt along the edge of the continent, providing families and travelers with a taste of Antarctica without encroaching too far. These journeys can be picked up from all around the coast and frequently loop around South America, often stopping at destinations like Wilhelmina Bay and Fortuna Bay.

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Italy For your 2018 vacation, consider booking one that docks in the Italian capital of Rome. This ancient city is home to cultural wonders like the Colosseum and the Vatican, and its rich history will provide a welcome contrast to the joviality of your cruise journey. On a two to three week cruise, you can travel across the Atlantic and along Europe’s southern shores, with additional stops in cities like Malaga and Venice.

Cruise liners have the flexibility and resources to travel near enough everywhere in the world now. These destinations only skim the surface of where you should vacation in 2018, but they’re most certainly the best to travel to. Let us know if we’ve missed out anywhere else people should consider visiting.

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Glasgow

city of art and culture

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BY: LYNNE MACDONALD

Glasgow’s industrial heritage may have earned it a rough and rugged image. However, closer acquaintance reveals a vibrant city bursting with culture and hospitality.

Recently named a UNESCO City of Music, Glasgow offers an assortment of attractions. With a variety of festivals spread across the year, tourists will enjoy top-quality entertainment no matter when they visit.

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With 130 music events each week, on average, Glasgow has been described by Time Magazine as 'Europe's secret capital of music'. Whether you would prefer to attend a classical recital in the plush surroundings of the Royal Concert Hall or catch an unsigned band at King Tut’s Wahwah Hut, Glasgow has it covered. Alongside permanent venues, such as Barrowlands, The Arches and O2 Academy, Glasgow offers a range of festivals throughout the year.

Internationally renowned acts mingle with emerging talent at Celtic Connections and the Glasgow International Jazz Festival. For that traditional Scottish sound, Piping Live celebrates the bagpipe in all its forms and culminates with the World Pipe Band Championships, which brings together over 8,000 pipers at Glasgow Green every August.

Glasgow has a diverse and accessible theatrical tradition. You can enjoy a lavish touring show at the King’s or, if you are pushed for time, grab a Play, a Pie and a Pint at Oran Mor. The Citizens, the Tron and the Tramway offer innovative programs of contemporary work and new twists on the classics. Glasgow is also the home of Scottish Opera and Scottish Ballet, who perform regularly at the Theatre Royal.

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Club as it is open seven nights a week hosting a range of comic talent from established acts to absolute newcomers. Their weekly open mic night offers a showcase for beginners, with some of the acts appearing for their very first outing. The comedy quotient peaks in the spring with the Glasgow International Comedy Festival. Over the last nine years, this has grown to more than 400 comedy shows at over 50 venues throughout the city.

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is the largest civic museum and art gallery in the United Kingdom. With an audience-focused, family-friendly approach, Kelvingrove presents its 8,000 diverse exhibits in an engaging and accessible manner.

Designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and operating as school up to 1979, Scotland Street School contains interactive displays and classroom settings allowing you a glimpse of education from the Victorian era to the recent past. The Riverside Museum, due to open June 2011, celebrates transport and travel whilst the People’s Palace gives a flavor of Glasgow Life over the years. All of Glasgow’s publiclyowned museums offer free entry.

Whether you are visiting Glasgow for a short-break or a fortnight’s holiday, you will have no difficulty finding cultural activities of interest to everyone.

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Kauai

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Hawaii’s Best Kept Secret

BY: LESLEY DIANA

I

discovered the beautiful island of Kauai many years ago, completely by accident. While on vacation, we grew tired of the hustle and bustle of Oahu, and wanted to explore another island.

The next plane was going to Kauai, so on a whim, we bought tickets and off we flew on an adventure to an island that would continue calling me back for years to come. I even considered relocating there at one point. Then, work got in the way. It took 25 years for me to finally go back with my son. As soon as he stepped off the plane, he also realized that there is something magical about Kauai.

After landing in Lihue, we rented a car (a must if you want to explore the island) and headed to the tunnel of trees, the gateway to Poipu, to stay at the Sheraton Kauai Resort. The stunning resort is situated on 20 acres of Kauai’s southern shoreline with access to pristine white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters. One of the few hotels grandfathered in, the hotel is situated right on the beach, with two fresh-water pools, a hot tub, and two incredible restaurants: Lava’s on Poipu Beach and Rum Fire Restaurant.

Everything we needed was at our fingertips.

We were lucky enough to be the first occupants in the newly renovated beach-side ocean view rooms, just what everyone dreams of when they book a tropical vacation.

The hospitality was nothing short of outstanding. Dining at Rum Fire at sunset is an awe-inspiring experience. The brussel sprouts are a must-try item on their diverse menu, and once you put one in your mouth, you’ll understand why. Rum Fire Poipu Beach offers a modern Kauai dining experience with spectacular 180-degree ocean views. Rum Fire’s menu serves locally sourced cuisine with a global influence, featuring selections that will please even the most discriminating palates.

Highlights of the menu include the Maui Nui venison tartare (local venison) and any of their freshfish dishes, such as the wasabi peacrusted ahi or the crab-crusted fresh catch of the day. The ahi poke flatbread dish is a twist from your typical poke dish and for dessert, the Bibingka waffles with locally made green tea ice cream or the Baked Kauai – their take on Baked Alaska, torched tableside is worth saving room for.

The Sheraton Kauai Resort is an involved member of its community, with several charitable programs set up at the resort to give back to the island.

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to the amenities, the proceeds go directly to Charity Walk Kauai to benefit more than 60 non-profit organizations providing critical services on the island.

There is something special about the air, the scenery, the mountains, the sea, the people, and the stories in Kauai. It’s almost as if you’ve stepped into a different world. One that is underdeveloped, with no skyscrapers blocking the view of the natural beauty of the island.

Kauai was the last island to join the Hawaiian Islands. In the end, it took diplomacy, a royal kidnapping, and an arranged marriage to bring Kauai into the kingdom of Hawaii.

Compared to the other islands, Kauai is smaller, less populated, more rural, and more laid back.

Visitors come to explore the island’s natural wonders and whitesand beaches that provide ample opportunity to surf, snorkel, scuba dive or just relax by the water.

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Tourist development reached Kauai much later than the other islands, so the island has a larger proportion of timeshares, condominiums, and bed and breakfasts. Also, a strict cap on building heights (hotels can be no more than 40 feet high), prevent the development of the megaresorts and towering skyscrapers found on the other islands. The local rule is that nothing can be built taller than a coconut tree.

One look at a map will show you an important difference between Kauai and the more populous islands of Hawaii. Due to the massive Waimea Canyon and Na Pali Coast, no roads circle the island. Once you’ve made the drive along the south shore to Waimea and seen the canyon, the only options are to go west on dirt roads to Polihale Beach or turn around and go back to Princeville

and Na Pali on the north shore.

However, the island is compact enough that both ends of the road can be seen in the same day.

But, the Garden Island cannot be enjoyed or appreciated if you are pressed for time, and along many of Kauai’s streets and main highway there are wild roosters, chickens and cats that may slow down your travel.

I’ve never been one for taking

tours while on vacation, but since I was writing an article about our Kauai adventures, it seemed like the perfect time to try, and I’m so glad I did. The tour guides are very knowledgeable, and I learned some interesting facts about the island.

What fascinated me most was how much land philanthropists have given back to the island to prevent Kauai becoming overcommercialized like many other tropical islands.

Kauai is a golfers paradise. Walter McByde, a sugar magnate and golf fanatic, built the Kukuiolono Park and Golf Course that only charges 9 dollars a day for unlimited play.

When Walter died in 1930, he donated the course to the state of Hawaii so the locals can have a golf course that they can afford to play on. Expect wind sweeping over the terrain, lots of trees, a few fairway hazards, and maybe a wild chicken pecking at the greens.

For our first tour, we woke up at dawn to take the Kauai Sea Tours on a Deluxe Catamaran Snorkel Trip to experience the majestic Na Pali coast, on the spacious 60-foot, custom designed catamaran. As we headed up north to NaPali along the southwest coast of Kauai we got to see playful spinner dolphins skimming and leaping out of the waters, sea turtles, sea birds and Humpback Whale watching in season (December – April) and more.

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Our experienced captain was entertaining with history and legends of Kauai, marine life ecology, and tales of all the land that has been given to the island. He also points out where feature films and TV series were shot, the last battle place, and where Jacqueline Kennedy went to recuperate after JFK’s assassination. We then stopped to swim and snorkel enjoy the underwater sights of a variety of fish and turtles swimming by.

Our next adventure was Kauai Backcountry Adventures’ Mountain Tubing experience. We learned about the island’s history, culture, and natural environment, while we visited spectacular lands with breathtaking vistas and fantastic scenery.

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We grabbed a tube, donned a helmet with a headlamp, and jumped into the gently flowing waters through open canals and tunnels hand-dug a century ago by plantation workers. The waters originate near the top of Mount Waialeale, one of the wettest spots in the world.

Many filmmakers have been inspired by Kauai’s beauty using the stunning backdrop for epic stories, from “South Pacific” to “Jurassic Park: The Lost World.”

You can take a movie tour to learn about the more than 60 feature films shot on location in Kauai or you can discover them for yourself.

I found it very interesting to see the list of movies and TV series filmed on the island, including:

“Raiders of the Lost Ark”, “Blue Hawaii” “Fantasy Island”, “South Pacific”, “Honeymoon in Vegas”, “Lilo & Stitch”, “Lord of the Flies”, “Throw Mama from the Train”, “King Kong”, “Six Days/Seven Nights”, “Hook”, and “George of the Jungle”, to name a few.

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