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Best Sports Centers in Richmond

Everyone is trying to get in or stay in shape these days, but sometimes it’s not always easy. That’s why, if you’re planning to move into one of the many Chesterfield homes for sale, you may be curious about what your local options will be for fitness. Fortunately, there are a large number to choose from.

Those considering Henrico county real estate who also have a taste for the wild side will be very happy with the nearby Combat Sports Center. There you can get the workout of your life will learning self-defense. Choose from Muay Thai, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and other popular courses. No matter what your overall fitness goal is, you’ll find a class to match it.

Of course, there are also more traditional options too. SCOR and the James Center YMCA are more straight and narrow and offer everything from free weights to cardio machines and more.

For those of you really looking to get your pump and add on some mass, consider Gold’s Gym. This place will have all the weights you need and trainers with expertise to help you get as much muscle as you’d ever want in a healthy way.

August 29, 2016
Choosing Abu Dhabi for Your Next Vacation Destination

Abu Dhabi has a lot to offer to the casual tourist.

There have always been discussions about which is the better vacation spot between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The thing is, Abu Dhabi continues to be sort of an enigma to various people due to the glamour and luxuries that Dubai has to offer. However, Abu Dhabi has plenty to offer the common tourist as well as a specific cultural background that one cannot find anywhere but there.

Before you being your memorable expedition, be sure that you find a quality car lease in Abu Dhabi. Convenience is one of the primary benefits that you’re looking for when you’re traveling. By being able to commute around in a car, you’ll be able to visit more locations that you would on foot. Also, you’ll save time. Time is money when it comes to a vacation and it’s particularly important that you hit everything that you wanted to do on your agenda.

Abu Dhabi has some of the best beaches that stand out for miles away. The beautiful coastline overlooks the gorgeous region surrounding it. Additionally, the beaches are close by to the city and are easily accessible.

Be sure to enjoy the delicious and exotic culinary cuisine that Abu Dhabi has to offer. Their global street food experiences are one that you cannot miss, especially if you want to try out a unique sample of their culture.

Be sure to explore the surrounding areas outside the city as well. A car hire in Abu Dhabi has all the SUV’s and trucks that are perfect for dune bashing or exploring amongst the sand.

Monte Carlo Rent a Car, LLC has premiere car rentals in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, UAE that are reliable, competitively priced, and perfect for your family’s next trip.

August 27, 2016
Guide to kayaking with Killer Whales
Written by Crystal Seas

Kayak with Killer whales can be an unforgettable experience. It is a great way to enjoy the scenery, the ocean and see killer whales in their natural habitat. When choosing to go kayaking Washington state, it is best to choose one that provides quality boats, gear and highly trained, professional guides. Here are some basic facts on tours offered in Washington.

1. Cost – $110 -$150 per person plus sales tax.
1. Duration – Tours will go for approximately 6 hours and generally start at 10am.
2. Distance – Tours will see you kayaking for 4 – 6 miles and some will include a scenic hike of about 1 mile. Tours will explore about 2-3 islands in the area.
3. Requirements – Participants should be in good physical condition, and have the ability to paddle for prolonged periods.
4. Minimum Age – 14
5. Wildlife you may see – orca whales, humpback whales, Dall’s and harbor porpoise, stellar and California sea lions, seals, otters; eagles and falcons.
6. What is supplied – Most tour companies will provide all boating equipment including ThermaRest seat cushions, complimentary dry bags, rain ponchos and a picnic lunches.
7. Participants should bring – A sun hat/visor, Sunglasses, Sunscreen; Water shoes, a T-shirt (warm weather) and shorts with a light jacket. Cool weather clothing will include a fleece jacket, polypropylene/Capilene tops, rain pants.
The next time you want to take an adventure for your vacation like going kayak with orca whales , just leave it to the team at Crystal Seas.
July 18, 2016
Amenities in Cayman Islands Condos and Real Estate
Cayman luxury real estate doesn’t take the word “luxury” with a grain of salt. You’ve seen the opulent homes that dot Grand Cayman, but the condominiums offer equal amounts of plush living. Imagine cushioned seats on quiet, private beach. Drinks on a patio before you relax in the sun on a lazy Saturday full of perfect weather. Even if you’re just visiting for business and looking for something better than a hotel, there are multiple amenities to keep real estate prices on the rise.

New Developments

One of the biggest advantage a condo has over a home is the length of time since the structure was developed. Condos, especially in the Seven Mile Beach area, are essentially brand new. Some are still selling out from the units they held at their premier. That means new utilities and modern architecture. If you are looking for real estate in Cayman Islands that won’t require much maintenance, you might want to consider a condominium.

Access

Condos are situated in some of the best areas on Grand Cayman. New developments on Seven-Mile Beach offer unimpeded views of the ocean and are minutes from shops and restaurants. Many have built in gyms, some even have yoga rooms and specialty exercise areas. If relaxation is your thing, you can stake out a spot on the beaches, many of which are serviced by condo personnel.

Final Thoughts

Real estate in Grand Cayman offers several key benefits that make for solid investment:
- A killer place to stay: seriously, spend a weekend here and try to leave.
- A great source of income: You owe a stamp duty at sale and you can rent the property short-term to acquire tax-free income.
- Value: Your property will continue to increase in value year after year
The Cayman Islands are growing and you can grow with them. Investments in condos are more affordable now than ever before.
July 15, 2016
A Brief Guide to Living on the Cayman Islands

Article written by Travel Rapidly, travel resources, reviews, tips & advice

Transitioning from a metropolitan or rural area to the Cayman Islands can be a significant lifestyle change. 80-degree weather and a generous helping of sand and salt are what you can expect as a resident of these diverse islands. Once you overcome these ritualistic conditions, be prepared to soak in all the beauty and splendor that only the Cayman Islands can offer.

About Grand Cayman

The Cayman Islands are separated into three islands: Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman. The largest of the islands, Grand Cayman has a bustling population of over 58,000, which is roughly more than half of the entire population of the Cayman Islands. George Town, the territory’s capital, houses a majority of the residents and offers a signature Caribbean experience to residents and visitors alike. Shop at their duty-free retailers or swim with the gentle stingrays at the Stingray City Sandbar. With endless amounts of activities for you to partake in and a lively and charming community, you’ll soon come to realize the unique comforts and charms of island living.

Residency

One of the biggest obstacles that you’ll face when moving to the Cayman Islands doesn’t have to do with real estate, but the lifestyle transition that you’re going to make. The locals that live on Grand Cayman are typically diverse with European, African, and mixed ancestries making up the whole of the island.

If you’re fond of seafood, Grand Cayman offers some of the finest dishes that you can only find in this section of the world – fancy some jerk chicken in your spare time, you won’t regret it.

Obtaining a home on Grand Cayman typically goes for $300,000 for a three-bedroom, two-bathroom on the northwest part of the island – which is a quaint but absolutely beautiful area. That’s fairly priced, considering you’re choosing to live in paradise. Cayman luxury real estate firms also display beautiful upscale homes, if you’re looking to live a lavish lifestyle. It’s important that you track and set up your average monthly expenses prior to moving to Grand Cayman. The Cayman Islands Dollar (CI) to your currency should be factored in to your earnings so that you get an accurate estimate on how much it will cost you to live here.

Opening a Business

Cayman Islands commercial property opportunities are available around each island. Cayman offers a regulated tax neutral business environment. If you were to conduct affairs outside of the Cayman Islands, understand that there are certain compliance orders that need to be respected prior to starting up.

Bio: Contact RE/MAX Cayman Islands to connect with a local real estate expert that will help you find the property of your dreams. Whether it’s Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac or Little Cayman real estate, RE/MAX Cayman Islands will guide you through the entire home-buying process.

June 10, 2016
Insider Trick to Seeing the Cayman Islands

Article by Global Travel Tourism.

If you’ve never been to the Cayman Islands before, you’re definitely in for a treat. Nowhere under the sun compares to this amazing portion of planet Earth. Speaking of sun, you’ll have more than enough of it on these islands, but that’s far from the only thing it has to offer. Yes, you have Seven Mile Beach, where you’ll see sand that’s practically as white as snow. However, there’s also Stingray City where you can snorkel and get up close and personal to these gentle, amazing animals.

The food down here is great too. The Lighthouse Restaurant, Wharf Restaurant and Casanova Restaurant are all incredible locations for equally amazing cuisine.

However, if you want to make the most of your time here, you have to know one trick most people overlook: Grand Caymans car rentals. Most people know rental cars are mandatory for many vacations. But those that come to the Cayman Islands are often confident they can just get around on foot. After all, the area isn’t very large.

When you understand how many thousands of tourists will be sharing the island with you, though, it will become clear that getting car rentals in the Cayman Islands is absolutely essential to enjoying your time down in this tropical location.

May 17, 2016
Essential DSLR Equipment to Take on Vacation

By Phin Upham

Your DSLR is only as good as the equipment you carry with you. When you’re at home, you have the advantage of arranging a travel day where you can carry only what you need. When you’re travelling abroad, things get a little trickier. You have to worry about how much weight you’ll carry in a given day, where you’ll go and the kind of photos you’re likely to take. You can solve some of these issues by reading up on your destination and planning ahead (such as anticipating when you might want to focus on scenic landscapes). Determining which equipment is essential means you can pack lighter and shoot the photos you want without issue.

The Basics

Most of what you need is all about the kind of lens you take. If you plan to view a lot of scenery on your trip, which is usually the case when you’re backpacking or visiting an historic locale, you’ll probably want to take a nice wide-angel lens. If you plan to see lots of things from far away, like temples, you’ll want a good zoom lens so you can capture details.

Another concept to keep in mind is focal lengths. If you plan to shoot at night, or you want very specific shots with good depth of field, focal length becomes extremely important. Gaps in focal length can affect the type of shots you take and make it much harder to get the effect you want.

A tripod is a luxury: nice but not needed. Why? Most DSLRs have setups that allow you to shoot at night without one. That’s assuming the night or dark place isn’t pitch black. Even then, a good flash will do better than a tripod will.

About the Author: Phin Upham is an investor at a family office/ hedgefund, where he focuses on special situation illiquid investing. Before this position, Phin Upham was working at Morgan Stanley in the Media and Telecom group. You may contact Phin on his Phin Upham website or LinkedIn page.

May 5, 2016
When to Lease a Car in Abu Dhabi and When to Rent

Written by: Monte Carlo Rent A Car, LLC

Leasing a car in the UAE is easy and hassle free.

One thing you’ll notice almost immediately when you take a trip to Abu Dhabi: the vast amount of luxury vehicles available is astounding. Nearly everywhere you look, you’ll notice exotic cars. You might even see a few you’ve never spotted before. This is all great for car buffs, especially since a car lease in Abu Dhabi is relatively inexpensive. Leases can be great for long term stays, but only under certain circumstances.

When to Rent

You can find car rentals in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, UAE and all throughout Jordan for very affordable rates. These rentals are great for short term stays that last less than a month or two. If you plan to stay for longer, then you might need a more permanent solution. Renting is a good plan, but you should consider hiring a driver if it’s your first time in the UAE. Even if the driver stays temporarily, it will be good to navigate the city with someone who knows it well.

When to Lease

Some people come for business, stay throughout the year or just take long vacations. For these people, a short term car rental in Abu Dhabi won’t do. Leasing a car gives you greater freedom to live life in Abu Dhabi, so it’s recommended for those who plan to stay for a significant period of time. There are short term leases available too, which may be a great option if you’re looking for a specific car to drive while in the UAE.

April 13, 2016
Top Tips for Living on Grand Cayman

Article written by HotelTravellerReviews

If you’re willing to take a leap of faith and live off some of the most beautiful coasts in Grand Cayman, then you’d best ready yourself for the thrilling relocation that’s absolutely going to change your life. Below are some of the top tips for relocating to the beautiful island of Grand Cayman.

Plan Your Budget Accordingly

If you’re planning on finding a home or even a condo to live in, it’s best that you take a look at all of the real estate the Cayman Islands have to offer. There’s bound to be one that’s screaming out your name.

Seek out trusted real estate agents to help you as they know the lay of the land as well as anyone else on the island. The real estate in Grand Cayman is reasonably priced, and with values constantly trending upwards in this “hot” market, you can potentially come away with a bargain. Coming from overseas may be a difficult transition at first so it’s crucial that you consider vital details like how your currency stacks up against the CI, so you come into town well-prepared.

Get a Driving License

While you may enjoy long walks to work, or even breezing through the streets on a bicycle, it’s recommended that you get a driver’s license. The Cayman Island’s DVLD will guide you through the process and take care of any questions or concerns that you might have.

Enjoy the Food

There’s an outstanding standard of food to be eaten on the island. Everything from luscious seafood to scrumptious home-styled burgers, take the time to point out some restaurants that look appealing to you so you have a “yummy” something to look forward to once you step foot on the island.

Bio: Looking to buy or sell property? RE/MAX Cayman Islands can help you. From the beautiful Cayman luxury real estate properties to the open parcels of land, let RE/MAX Cayman Islands help you out on your next home-buying or selling process.

January 28, 2016
Stop By the New York Botanical Garden

By Samuel Phineas Upham

Most of the land that would become New York’s Botanical Garden was actually owned by the Lorillard Family. The City of New York eventually acquired that land, along with some of the surrounding areas, and decided to set up both a garden and a zoo there. The garden opened in 1891, during a time when industrial growth stifled natural life. The garden was like a fresh respite.

Today, the garden has more than 50 sections that include various plant species living together in harmony. A cascading waterfall gives way to manmade wetlands. Nearby, visitors will find a growth of 50-acre forest on a tract of land that has never been logged.

One of the more intriguing structures in the garden is the vintage-looking greenhouse, created by Lord & Burnham. It’s modeled after an 1890s crystal-palace greenhouse that Nathanial Lord Britton and his wife saw during a trip to the Royal Botanic Garden at Kew. The two thought that it would be marvelous to bring something so fresh and wonderful back to Manhattan.

The forest on that land is split by the Bronx River, which is the only fresh water body to run naturally through New York City. One can even find rapids there.

The grounds also house an extensive research laboratory, which primarily focuses on plant genomics. Among many questions, scientists hope to solve Darwins “abominable mystery”, which asks the question of when, where and why did flowering plants emerge? The lab was also given a grant of more than a half million dollars to try and create tree barcodes from plant DNA, which helps to identify different species definitively.

About the Author: Samuel Phineas Upham is an investor at a family office/ hedgefund, where he focuses on special situation illiquid investing. Before this position, Phin Upham was working at Morgan Stanley in the Media and Telecom group. You may contact Phin on his Samuel Phineas Upham website or Facebook.

January 5, 2016