A water park is a wonderful way for the entire family to have a lot of fun and get a break from the scorching summer heat. Most parks are packed with rides and attractions to entertain the old and young alike. Here are a few things to consider to get prepared for the trip to a water park:

Check the ticket prices and open times

If visiting a water park with the family it is worth checking the ticket prices to make it easier to budget for the day. For instance, if the tickets are a little expensive and you prefer not to spend much else on the day, taking along a packed lunch may be the right option. Also, the time that you arrive at the park can make a difference on how busy or long the queues are for visiting the various attractions. Typically, the parks will be a lot quieter early in the day. Also, at this time the sun isn’t going to be so strong.

Pack your supplies

The supplies for a day at a water park are likely to include things a bathing costume, a change of clothes, water socks, a padlock for your locker, goggles, a towel or two, lip balm, and sun block if outside. A swimming cap can benefit those with long hair. For the less confident or young swimmers, a life-saving device is a useful thing to include.

Also, wearing a bathing costume under your regular clothes will help to speed up the process of getting ready after arriving at the park.

Invest in express passes

Many parks give the option to buy an express ticket which is a great way to get on a chosen attraction or ride a lot faster by skipping past the long queues.

Plan the tour of the park

It helps to plan the tour of the park to get on the popular rides at the best times. For instance, it can benefit to wait until the off-peak times before queuing for the best rides. During the busy times it can benefit to visit an attraction that is open to visitors and doesn’t rely on queuing, such as a wave pool.

Check on height and age restrictions

For families with small children it is worth checking if any height restrictions are in place before getting in a queue. The rules and regulations can vary with the different rides, so it is necessary to keep checking this as you make your way around the park.

Online shopping is becoming more popular nowadays alongside with the seemingly endless innovations in technology. The success of online shopping business is rooted to several factors, although there’s no single recipe to become a successful online retailer. Online shopping has a significant contribution to the highly diversified and fast changing fashion trends. If checking a diamond has 4 C’s (clarity, carat, color and cut), online shopping has 5 C’s, as listed below.

Convenient shopping- Convenience is the most prominent keyword when discussing the benefits of online shopping. No hassle of going in and out of an actual store just to find out that you’re most dreaded pair of jeans is still out of stock. No wasted time for falling in line just to pay for a single piece of accessory that you have been waiting to arrive at store. If you were from the other side of the globe, you can still enjoy the same fashion trends that people from the other side are enjoying because you can simply order online, and have the latest designer bag delivered to your doorstep.

Comparing products and brands – Various products of competing brands can be easily compared with each other while you’re just sitting before your monitor, your laptop or your tablet. Everything is posted online and virtual shoppers could easily check the similarities and differences between products and brands they are choosing from.

Cost-effective and affordable products available – Since there are many products competing for one customer, prices tend to go lower by following the law of supply and demand. If there are more supplies than what is being demanded, prices go down, making products become more affordable and cost-effective for online buyers.

Customer service and after-sales assistance- It may be surprising but more of the online shoppers nowadays are affected by the reliability of the after-sales service of online stores. This is highly observed among online stores that sell gadgets and other products that may need technical assistance in the future. Customer service reliability is also measured in terms of providing a good ‘return policy’ should the purchased product arrives in defective condition.

Courier factor or the lead time delivery – Going online means going global as you target a wider market. To become an effective online store or retailer, the courier factor or lead time to deliver is quite a big factor. No consumer would ever want to receive their Christmas decors on New Year’s Eve already. Lead time to deliver is also critical factor for fashion industry, as fashion trends easily move through time.

This Burrow Couch Review was recently published by our in depth review team. Unlike couch deliveries you’ve had in the past, the Burrow couch is shipped direct to the consumer in several large boxes. Similar to the mattress in a box buying process, consumers have a risk free trial period to receive a 100% refund if they decide the couch doesn’t work for them. Burrow is a direct to consumer couch in a box company disrupting the couch buying process.

What makes this couch so special?

The Burrow Couch is cool for a ton of reasons. Easy online ordering, simple assembly that requires no tools, convenient USB ports for charging electronics, stain resistant rugged cover all while breaking down into single pieces that make moving into city apartments a total game changer. The Burrow Couch is also fully customizable to expand into a sectional or break down into a single chair or love seat adapting to your ever changing lifestyle. This flexibility has allowed the Burrow Couch to be a staple in my home for the past 2 years.

How will my Burrow couch arrive?

All Burrow Couch are shipped UPS and take 2-5 days to arrive on average. Your new couch will will ship free your doorstep in a box. Each box weighs about 50 pounds. You can expect 2 boxes for a 1 seater, 3 boxes for a 2 seater, 4 boxes for a 3 seater, and 5 boxes for a 4 seater.

How hard is it to put this couch together?

Burrow Couch assembly doesn’t require any tools and takes 10-15 minutes to set up. The fully customizable couch legs screw into the base while the seats clamp together. From someone who’s had their share of Ikea assembly meltdowns, Burrow was even more simple to assemble than I had expected.

What Happens If I Don’t Like My Couch After It Arrives?

Burrow is so confident that you will love your new couch that they will buy it back if you aren’t 100% happy within the first 30 days. All couches come with a 30 day money back guarantee. Burrow will give you a full refund within the 30 day trial period if you decide it’s not for you.

What customization capabilities does my couch come with?

Burrow couch come with the choice of low or high arms and in 5 color options. I received the low arm option and it’s the perfect height for me. For this review I choose the low arms and would choose them again. You can also choose between 5 colors. The colors are Beige, Brick Red, Crushed Gravel, Navy Blue, and Charcoal. As you can see from the photos, we got ours in Brick Red.

The ottoman is a highly recommended addition to any couch. This is a newer option available from Burrow and costs $295. The ottoman is super easy to assemble. Literally just align the legs with the drilled out holes and tighten the easy to turn screws. Add the Burrow Ottoman to any Burrow Couch and stretch out or use it as a separate seat when you have company over. The ottoman is a great size at 25 inches by 25 inches. The cushion is double sided just like the couch so you can flip it over to change the look.

What’s inside the couch cushions?

All Burrow couch are safe and friendly to the environment. The wood used is sustainably sourced, the fabric is free of any harmful chemicals. The boxes used in shipping are even made of recycled materials.

Tell me more about the Burrow Couch cover.

Burrow’s cover is luxurious and plush. The cover is the most durable of any couch that I have ever owned. Living with a 75 pound dog, no couch has lasted as long as my Burrow couch. As you can see from the close ups, the cover is thick and rugged while still being sleek and stylish. The sofa cover is stain resistant out of the box so you don’t need to worry about treating it or ruining it if you spill something.

What’s The Weight Limit On My Burrow Couch?

Each seat module has a 200 pound weight capacity so a 3 seater Burrow couch would have a max weight of 600 pounds. This may not sound like a lot but I have had guests of all sizes pile on the couch over the course of this review and it has held up great.

Is The Burrow Couch Available On Display If I Want To See It Before I Order?

Yes! Both the fabric couches and Italian leather couch are available in the Burrow showroom in our SoHo store in New York City. If you are ever in the area, there’s a couch waiting for you to kick back and relax.

How much does Burrow cost?

The Burrow couch 3 seater is $1395. Burrow offers a matching fabric chaise lounge and ottoman as upgraded add ons to customize your comfort. After reviewing the new Italian leather couch recently, we can promise you that it will exceed expectations. If fabric is not your thing, the brown and black leather couch is available for $2490 with an optional leather chaise lounge and ottoman. Financing is available through Affirm in 3, 6. and 12 month options.

Burrow Couch Review After Daily Use For 2 Years

I updated this review after 2 straight years of use and abuse. I’m still obsessed with it today just like I was when it arrived. Literally everyone compliments it when they walk in the house. The versatility of this couch gives me furniture options for years to come. Burrow has been the most durable couch that I have ever owned. The quality materials are made to last. Moving in the city has never been easier. The modern, sexy look of this couch reminds me of something you would find in high end stores like Crate and Barrel or West Elm for 3x the price. If you are in the market for a new couch, get something that can adapt to your changing lifestyle whether you need a chair, loveseat, or sleeper sofa.

Your agent has booked you a new gig at a club you have never been to before. Your agent tells you it might be a little “rustic” but the money is well worth it. You and the band, being on a tight schedule, will only arrive in time to set up and play. No time for a qualified sound check. But you have done this before and you are not worried. You arrive and are greeted with a gravel parking lot covered with beer bottles and empty half pints from the night before. Whatever, you have seen this before also. You open the front door and immediately look for the band stage and….What? Chicken Wire!

Maybe you have not been in this situation. But usually there are signs that will indicate to you what kind of club you are going to play. It is true that there are a couple of places that still have chicken wire. This is not a bad thing. It is to protect the band’s equipment and the band if necessary. But mostly this type of thing has been exaggerated. Especially after the movie The Blues Brothers.

The parking lot is one key. If it looks like the one described earlier you might want to watch yourself. This usually indicates a place that has a lot of power drinkers. Power drinkers bring pints and half pints into the club in their boots, among other things. I guess they are afraid of the club running out of booze. They retire to the parking lot and get a good buzz, come back in and order a beer and look around for somebody to either dance or fight with. Just stay out of the way. It really isn’t hard to do.

Setting up late and the club is already full of very intoxicated people is another warning. These kind of watering holes are very loyal to their customers. They spend most of their weekly check in these places. Any kind of remark that is thrown your way at this time should not be ignored. That will only bring on a torrent of the same all night long. At the first remark I would usually proclaim in a loud voice, “Bartender, these are my kind of people. I want to buy the house a round.” Expensive? I call it cheap insurance.

I always kept an eye on the pool tables. You would not believe how many fights this little game can cause. I never played pool in a bar I was playing in. Pool causes hard feelings especially if money is involved. I have seen the ambulance called because of an altercation over whose quarter was up next. Again, you just want to stay out of the way.

Your best friend in a club that you suspect might be rough is the bartender. I always tip the bartender on the front end. I usually tell him I appreciate how hard he has to work and want to show my appreciation in case I forget when the night is over. The good bartender can indicate to you who the trouble makers are. He usually will not tell you outright. You have to watch his posture and his off hand remarks to the waitress.

I do not want to cause you, the young musician, any undo alarm. I played in every kind of hole you could imagine for over 30 years and never got into a single altercation. Want to know how? I simply minded my own business and stayed out of the way. The best way is to recognize potential trouble before it explodes and simply do not be in the middle. Good luck!

People always rely to delivery services for sipping letters, business documents, parcels, and other items in different places all over the world. All couriers are associated with delivering of goods depending on the need of each customer. You would know if a courier company is giving good services if they are offering wide variety of services such as delivering around the country as well as internationally. It is always imperative to choose a courier according to your individual needs because services offered by different companies also vary considerably. If you are planning to deliver an important document which is of high importance and require fast delivery, you need to opt for a bigger and experienced company. If you need the package to arrive at a definite time and reach the destination without any delay, you need to go for a company that offers an on time services.

Actually, it is not hard to locate for a company that is providing this kind of service, because majority of courier delivery provide an on time services especially larger companies with complete equipment and experience. This kind of service will give you a peace of mine, knowing that your important documents will arrive on time. Some people tend to go for a cheaper courier services and thinking that they can save a lot of money. Although rates are important element, there are certain things that you need to consider aside from the rates. One of the first things that you need to consider is the location of the company. It is imperative for you to choose a company that has specialize courier services in your own locality. Keep in mind that there is a golden thumb when it comes to hiring specific courier and this is to go for a company that is near your location. Going for a company that is near your area can save a lot of time for pickup as well as deliver of your package.

It is vital to get the exact services that you need. If you want a smooth delivery, you need to make sure that the company knows what you expect for a particular courier service. You might need a scheduled service of pickup and delivery of parcel in a fixed time. If you are in need of this kind of service, you must locate for a company that can give this specific service that you need. Sometimes going for a cheap courier might not give you the quality of service that you need. On demand services requires an investment because you are risking the security and safety of your parcel by going into cheaper services.

Online booking is also possible and this will allow you to save a lot of time. In this case, you need to look for websites of professional parcel delivery services. Some of them are giving away free quotes. This will help you create an estimation of the price that you need to pay for your delivery service. The advent of internet technology provides a lot of convenience to people because you can learn more about a particular courier company by just looking at their website. If you opt for maximum security of your parcel, then you can look for their insurance services. If you do not find any information pertaining to insurance service, then you can freely locate for another company.

Doing your own research about different companies prior to hiring one of them is important to ensure the safety of your package. A home delivery service must be delivered at the right time to make sure that someone will pick up the delivery.

When small entities do business, they (we!) must try harder. Developing and maintaining a sterling reputation that creates a trusted brand that generates good word-of-mouth and referrals is how we succeed. Delivering excellent products and services every time is a must, but there are additional factors that play important roles.

Instituting the quality control procedures collectively known as “Best Practices” as the basis of our operations protocols is a smart thing to do. Because it is much easier to retain a current client than to find a new one, you may want to incorporate Best Practices into your business venture.

Keep your word

Credibility counts and that means you keep your word. If you are unable to meet a milestone or some other commitment, speak up as early as possible so that an alternative plan can be created and enacted. If you are transparent about potential roadblocks and obstacles, your forthright behavior will be appreciated and respected. In sum, under-promise and over-deliver.

Be honest

Be truthful in every aspect of your business dealings. Avoid any and every temptation to misrepresent or exaggerate your expertise, qualifications, experience, or ability to follow a timetable or perform within a certain budget.

Follow-up

If half of life is showing up, then the other half is surely follow-up. If a client or prospect asks a question, follow-up with the answer. If someone makes a referral for you, or you promise to make the referral for a friend or colleague, then reach out (I recently did that for a client and sent his contact info to a VIP who asked to check out his work).

Admit and correct mistakes

Sometimes we drop the ball. It’s embarrassing and frustrating, but one must own up. Attempting to blame others is not cool (even if it is someone else’s fault). Never attempt to ignore or cover up your organization’s involvement in something that went wrong. Instead, take responsibility, apologize and do whatever is possible to make amends and learn from the experience.

Arrive on time

The meeting before your meeting can run long and you may be unable to leave. Traffic or public transportation can be in gridlock. The alarm clock may not go off. If it appears that you will be late for a client meeting, make contact ASAP and estimate your arrival time.

If you are one who is consistently late, take steps to allow yourself more time. Punctuality is a reflection of your brand and your organization’s ability to deliver. If parking is usually a challenge at your destination, or if the weather is bad, leave 30 minutes early and give yourself some wiggle room. Arriving early is always acceptable.

Say thank you

Thanking those with whom you do business is great for relationship building. On each of your invoices, add a line and thank your client for being your client. At December holiday time, send cards to current and lapsed clients. If you can find an opportunity, take a client to coffee or lunch and add a positive new dimension to the relationship.

As you get to know each other outside of the office, you’ll gain a better understanding of your client on a personal and professional level and you’ll feel more comfortable and better prepared to work together on future assignments. Your client might even share information about an upcoming project at his/her organization and you may be invited to take a role in the process. Showing appreciation is always appreciated and it can pay off, as well.

Thanks for reading,

Kim

Grand Cayman, at 78 square miles, is the largest of the three islands that make up the Cayman Islands. It is also the most the most populated and developed.

George Town is the capital of Grand Cayman and is fairly quiet, apart on cruise ship days, when it seems that every square inch of pavement is taken. Cruise ships arrive two to three times a week, and up to four ships can arrive at any one time. If you are booking a trip to Stingray City or Rum Point, it is best to avoid these peak times.

Like it’s sister islands, Grand Cayman has a museum, the Cayman National Museum. This building has had a varied past, before it became home to the museum it was a court house and jail, as well as a place of worship. In fact the former jail is now the gift shop.

Seven Mile Beach is the main place to be as far as most of the tourists are concerned. It is a wide stretch of powder soft white sand that follows the contours of the west side of the Island between George Town and West Bay. This beach is paired with generally calm and clear water. There is a barrier reef which protects the beach from strong waves and currents, making Seven Mile Beach the ideal place to learn how to swim, as there is also a gentle slope heading out into the sea.

Most of the resort hotels can be found on seven Mile Beach, and although its popular, it never seems overcrowded. But if you do want a little more peace and quiet, walk along the beach until you get away from the hotels and condos. This beach is public, so any property that is built on it must allow people to access it. This is usually done by building alley ways between hotels and other buildings. Although if you want a sun lounger, you’d better be a guest at a hotel or a customer at one of the beach bars!

The other major attraction is Stingray City, which is in the North Sound. In around 12 feet of warm crystal clear water you can get up close to Atlantic southern stingrays. These fish were attracted to the area as fishermen used the area to clean their catch. This was aided by local divers offering snacks to them. Now they know that a boat means food. If 12 feet seems to daunting, they can also be seen at the nearby sandbar, where you can stand waist deep in the water.

Grand Cayman can be reached by direct flights from Heathrow Airport, flying with British Airways. Although the flight is ‘direct’, there is a touchdown in the Bahamans.

For help in planning your Cayman Islands holiday, contact John Guinn at Holiday Hut. As a trained Cayman Specialist he will ensure that you get the most from your time there.

One of the quickest relationship builders is to break bread with someone. Regional and ethnic cultures place high importance on relationship building around a meal. Understanding the proper etiquette can make this opportunity to form strong bonds with others highly successful. Not understanding can lead to irreparable harm. Here are some things you should consider:

· Arrival: When given a dinner time in Denmark make sure that you do not arrive late because Danes will have the dinner on the table waiting for your arrival. Middle Eastern cultures are strong on relationship building therefore a seven o’clock dinner invitation is predicated on spending several hours building a relationship before they actually eat.

· Gifts: A gift is often welcome. In Turkey you should take a desert.

· Before the meal: To a Middle Easterner, hospitality is an extension of one’s self. A Middle Eastern host will take great honor in offering their guest extras. This may include tea or figs. Not partaking of the offer belittles the offer.

· How much to eat: In Norway, Malaysia, and Singapore it is rude to leave food on your plate. However in Egypt it is insulting to devour the complete meal as you’re telling your host they should have given you more.

· Apparatus: Middle Eastern cultures tend to eat from a common plate at the center of the table. Pita bread is used instead of cutlery. Guests break off pieces of pita to scoop or grab the food from the common plate. British cultures favor using cutlery for all foods. It is uncultured to use fingers to transport food of any type to one’s mouth. In the Philippines it is appropriate to eat with a spoon in your right hand, using your fork in your left hand to cut larger pieces of food. Russians frown upon using a knife when eating fish. Etiquette requires a fish to be broken up using either one or two forks.

· Drinking: Regional, Ethnic, and Religious cultures come in to play here. In Korea it is rude to pour your own drink. In Russia it is considered unlucky to pour your own drink. You should keep an eye on your neighbors’ glass and fill them if they are empty and they will do the same for you. If you do not wish any more to drink a handy trick is to leave your glass three quarters full. When pouring drinks in most cultures you should hold bottle in right hand, lightly place left hand on forearm near your elbow but far away from the mouth of the bottle. Remember many cultures view the left hand as unclean since it is used for hygienic purposes. In many cultures when someone of a significantly higher social position pours you a drink, it is considered proper to turn away from that person when you drink it. In Turkey it is acceptable to bring alcohol as a hostess gift only if you know the host drinks alcohol.

· Departure: It is common in many Chinese cultures to arrive promptly and leave soon after your meal. This is because a dinner invitation is precisely that — an invitation for dinner. However in Columbia is polite to stay a few hours after the meal. Leaving earlier than that signals you are only interested in a free meal.

A good rule of thumb to follow when you’re unsure of cultural norms at the dinner table is to follow the lead of your host or other guests (provided those guests are more experienced in the culture).

Travelers flying from the USA to Vancouver, BC Canada will arrive at the Vancouver International Airport. The airport is Western Canada’s busiest airport and has won the Skytrax award as “Best Airport in North America” two years in a row, 2010 and 2011. Passengers arriving in Vancouver from the USA for the first time are frequently surprised at the beautiful scenery as they approach the airport and are further impressed by the museum quality sculptures and art work throughout the airport.

The airport is well laid out for international arrivals with signs clearly directing passengers through Baggage Claim and Canada Customs Border Services Agency. There is a Customer Care Representative stationed here to aid you with any questions you may have regarding customs and immigration procedures.

US Airlines Flying To Vancouver

Several major US airlines fly to the Vancouver International Airport. This includes American Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways and Delta Air Lines. Over fifty commercial airlines operate out of the airport, making this one of the most frequently scheduled stops in Canada among US airlines.

On the West Coast of the USA, Alaska Airlines and their sister airline, Horizon Air have a vast network of flights that connect with Vancouver. Most Alaska/Horizon flights connect in Los Angeles, California (LAX); Portland, Oregon (PDX); or Seattle, Washington (SEA).

A regional airline, Skywest Airlines, operate the regional flights to Vancouver for United Airlines and Delta. For United regional flights, they operate under the brand name United Express. If you are a member of their frequent flyer program “Mileage Plus” or the air alliance Star Alliance, you earn miles with United Express flights.

For Delta’s regional flights, Skywest operate under the name Delta Connection. Flights with Skywest as Delta Connection, qualify for Delta’s frequent flyer program “SkyMiles” and the alliance “SkyTeam”.

US Airways flights most frequently connect through the Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) in Phoenix, Arizona. This is US Airways main airport hub on the West Coast.

In Canada, WestJet is known as the leading discount airline in Canada. In 2011, WestJet and American Airlines announced code sharing agreements. It is now possible to book flights with each airline under the other airline’s ticket code. This can be convenient for travelers with frequent flyer miles with either airline.

The Vancouver International Airport

The airport is located in Richmond BC on Sea Island which is 8 miles from downtown Vancouver. The IATA airport code for the airport is YVR. Over 500 taxi’s serve the airport in addition to Limo and Sedan service. Taxi’s are located immediately upon exiting the terminal in a covered location.

Car rentals are located in the ground level parkade. Companies with service at the airport include; Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz and National.

There is excellent public transit, including the Rapid Transit Rail Link “Canada Line”. This is the quickest way to the city center.

There are numerous airport hotels located within a few miles of the airport. Many of the hotels offer complimentary shuttle bus service. Some do not operate 24 hours per day, so confirm with your hotel the schedule of the shuttle and whether you need to confirm pick up with the hotel upon arrival.

Slowly but surely my Nova Scotia discoveries were coming to an end. I only had one evening and one full day left after discovering the South West portion of this province over the last four days, following my last stops along the South Shore in Lunenburg and Peggy’s Cove. As I rolled into town late in the afternoon I noticed the landscape: lots of lakes and waterways interspersed with low-lying hills. One of my first impressions was that many of the neighbourhoods had beautiful houses with well-kept gardens and established trees. Halifax presented itself as a very picturesque city. I did not have a Halifax city map on me, but I figured if I only headed east I’d hit the oceanfront sooner or later, which I did right near Pleasant Point, one of Halifax’ largest public parks. A friendly local gentleman redirected me to downtown Halifax to Barrington Street which is where my abode for two nights, the Delta Barrington Hotel, was located.

With his directions I was able to make my way downtown and had no problem finding my hotel. I breezed through check-in and went upstairs to my room to relax for a bit and take advantage of the in-room high-speed Internet connection. After refreshing myself I was ready for an evening of discoveries and I started to stroll down to the waterfront.

With its strategic location on the Atlantic Ocean, Halifax is the capital of Nova Scotia and Eastern Canada’s most important seaport. With an estimated population of roughly 385,000 residents throughout the metropolitan area, Halifax is Atlantic Canada’s largest population centre and a major economic centre on Canada’s east coast. Major employers include the Department of National Defense (Halifax has had a military role for several centuries due to its strategic location), the Port of Halifax, various government services and private sector companies. Several universities are located here including Dalhousie University, Saint Mary’s University and Mount Saint Vincent University.

Halifax dates back more than two and a half centuries: it was founded in 1749, as the shire town of Halifax County and the provincial capital. It was originally established by the British to provide a counter-balance to the French presence in Quebec and Acadia (present-day New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Cape Breton Island and the Gaspé Peninsula). Today’s Halifax Regional Municipality includes the neighbouring cities of Dartmouth and Bedford since amalgamation in 1996.

The coastline of the Halifax Regional Municipality encompasses about 400 km and is heavily indented with numerous deeps inlets protruding into the countryside. The topography is varied and ranges from lush farmland in the outlying regions to forested rolling hills. The climate is more moderate than in Central Canada and temperatures generally vary between about -5 degrees Celsius in the winter and 23 degrees Celsius in the summer.

Halifax is well-known for its cultural offerings which are enhanced by the large concentration of post-secondary students. Its music scene in particular is very vibrant and in recent years, Halifax has also become an important film production centre. The city itself is the largest growing area in the Maritimes and is connected to the rest of Canada and the world through a major airport. Via Rail’s eastern terminus is located in Halifax.

I headed straight east from my hotel via Duke Street to the waterfront to a complex called “Historic Properties” – a collection of historic buildings that was restored and redeveloped in the early 1970s. Many of the buildings in this complex are former warehouses of the privateers, pirates who were licensed by the British crown to raid enemy vessels. They brought back plentiful bounty that was stored in these warehouses. One of the most famous of these privateers was a fellow name Enos Collins, who started the Halifax Banking Company, the first bank in Nova Scotia.

Right at the foot of Duke Street, next to the Metro Transit Ferry Terminal that takes you over to Dartmouth, I discovered one of Halifax’ treasured icons: Theodore Too is a tugboat modeled after a popular character in a Canadian children’s television show named “Theodore Tugboat”. Today the Theodore Too is available for harbour tours, private charters, birthday parties and school groups.

I headed further south along the waterfront along “Harbourwalk”, Halifax’s famous Waterfront Trail. The sun had already set and the moon was shining over the picturesque Halifax Harbour. My destination was Pier 20, location of the celebrated show “DRUM!”, a musical presentation of Nova Scotia’s four founding cultures. I reached the location about half an hour before show time and people were already lining up in the common areas outside the theatre.

Right around 8 pm I took my seat and fortunately I was located right in the front row on the right side of the stage. The idea behind DRUM! is to shine a light on Nova Scotia’s four principal cultures: Black, Acadian, Aboriginal and Celtic. The evening began with a dramatic performance of aboriginal musicians playing their drums and singing an introductory song in their native Mi’kmaq language.

They were joined by an entire ensemble of musicians, dancers and singers who came on stage to share their music and from that point forward the entire evening was a beautiful carousel of music and song from four different cultures. The sophisticated lighting, video images and narrated poetry underscored the symbolic content of this performance that challenged the senses on every level.

DRUM! was originally conceived as a 45 minute tourism promotion piece as the main stage show at Tall Ships 2000, a special racing event that featured sailing vessels from all over the world. In 2004 DRUM! was turned into a full-length production and performed for ten nights in its specially designed theatre at the Halifax waterfront. The current run of DRUM! in Halifax will be followed by a tour through the United States starting in Florida and finishing in Utah. A tour of Ontario and Saskatchewan will follow in May, and the production will return to the Halifax waterfront in September of 2007.

The performance unfolded as one heart-pumping combination of music, dance, poetry, video, rhythm and song. At one point three of the female performers got up on stage and sang a-capella in the most beautiful harmonies one can imagine. My breath was taken away by their performance. Acadian washboards, Celtic fiddles and bagpipes, Aboriginal drums and sultry black voices came together to celebrate FOUR CULTURES….. FOUR RHYTHMS…..ONE HEART.

The sold-out audience was captivated by these talented performers, the beauty of their music and their message. After the last extended standing ovation I left the theatre elated, moved and inspired, ready for another final day of discoveries in Halifax. DRUM! was breathtaking in its theatrical beauty and its musical performance, and its message still resonates with me. I ended up buying the CD of this production to take this beautiful music and its spirit home with me to Toronto.

Here at Travel and Transitions we celebrate cross-cultural connections and understanding, and DRUM! was as perfect a musical representation of this spirit as I have ever seen. DRUM! communicates a message to the world: “We can hold on to who we are and still share a song, a stage, a country, a world.”

It doesn’t get any better than that.