Eating, drinking and going out - the best cities in the world

Eating, drinking and going out are some of the most popular past times in the world. Research shows that Americans spend about half of their food budgets, which amounts to around $2 700 or R27 000 per year, on eating out. But which cities are best for eating, drinking and going out?

Best for eating

1. New York, USA
Also known as the City That Never Sleeps, there is hardly any city better than New York for eating, drinking and going out. It has over 10 000 restaurants serving every kind of cuisine imaginable, including Italian, Chinese, Indian, Polish, Caribbean, Mexican and much more. Add to that its many bars, pubs and clubs, and you will never need to visit another city again.

2. Tokyo, Japan
This city has the most Michelin stars in the world with 400 stars between the restaurants (even more than the city of Paris). It is most famous, however, for its quality sushi bars. Ramen Street is also a must-visit destination for steaming bowls of noodles.

3. Paris, France
Paris is of course home to many fine, French dining restaurants. It is home to some of the world’s greatest chefs, including Alain Ducasse, Joël Robuchon and Alain Passard, and the mother-ship of cookery schools, Le Cordon Bleu. The French also excel at patisserie and a visit to one of the many excellent pastry shops in the city is highly recommended.

4. London, UK
Thanks to food television, London has become the home of the celebrity chef. Nigella Lawson, Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsey have paved the way for a thriving restaurant culture. Thanks to a highly diverse society, many different ethnic restaurants now sit alongside the more traditional pubs and chip shops.

5. Barcelona, Spain
The Catalan city of Barcelona offers a wealth of fine dining restaurants; from exciting and innovative modern cuisine, to more traditional classic establishments. It also has one of the world’s best food markets, the Boqueria.
Best for drinking
1. New Orleans, USA
Home of the annual Mardi Gras, New Orleans has 8.6 bars for every 10 000 households. Its most famous “drinking” street, Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, is well-known for live music and the many bars lining the street.

2. Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Thanks to a myriad of canals, Amsterdam is also known as the Venice of the North and is home to hundreds of stylish bars and clubs. The most trendy can be found in Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein.

3. Berlin, Germany
Berlin is a cultural hotspot and packed with restaurants and bars. It also has one of the best clubbing scenes in Europe. The city’s most stylish and intriguing bars can be found in the Prenzlauer Berg.

4. Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a party-goers heaven with bars, restaurants and clubs of all shapes and sizes. Join the fashionable elite in one of many flashy cocktail bars, admire the Hong Kong skyline from one of the rooftop bars, or discover the city’s historic side in one of the British-themed pubs.

5. Madrid, Spain
Certainly the most vibrant city in Spain, Madrid is known for its late night nightlife. Thanks to most bars, cafes and restaurants staying open until very late, night owls can party until the early morning hours.

Best for going out

1. Bangkok, Thailand
The cosmopolitan city of Bangkok certainly has a seedy side, but it also has a classy vibe with many gorgeous roof top hotel bars, rock bars, dance clubs and trendy pubs. Try the clubs on Sukhimvit Soi 10 or upscale Ku De Ta.

2. Buenos Aires, Argentina
Also known as the Paris of the South, Buenos Aires is the place to come if you want to dance till dawn. Another plus, is that it is less expensive than most of the big cities of the world. Those in the know recommend starting at the calmer bars of Recoleta and working up to the taverns of Palermo.

3. Las Vegas, USA
Sin City is the place to go if you fancy a night out like no other. The city bills itself as the Entertainment Capital of the World, which should already be an indication of what to expect during a night on the town. Casinos, bars, restaurants and shows are all a dime a dozen.

4. Montreal, Canada
Montreal is the party city in Canada, with most bars only shutting down in the early morning hours. You’ll find the in-crowd at the bars and pubs of Crescent Street, Sainte Catherine Street East and The Village.

5. Ibiza, Spain
Yet another Spanish city on our list, Ibiza, has become famous for its nightlife and electronic music that originated on the island. Its summer club scene is well-known and attracts thousands of tourists to the island.

The list above is only a small snapshot of the global entertainment scene and leaves plenty more exploring to do. Eating, drinking and going out is some of life’s pleasures. Don’t neglect them the next time you travel.

April 8, 2015 Articles, Eating, Drinking & Going Out 0

CUT signs MOA with Free State farming project

Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) recently entered into a three-year renewable agreement with Mokhachane Community Property Association (CPA), a farming project in Wesselsbron.

The Memorandum of Agreement signed between the two parties means that Mokhachane CPA will open its doors to a number of CUT Agricultural Management students to conduct research and/or undergo practical training on their farm as part of their Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Programme. “The agreement entered into is in response to the industry needs, and hopefully it will create job opportunities for the students upon conclusion of their training,” said SW MoKhachane, Director of Mokhachane CPA.

In bringing the balance, CUT will provide access to its experienced staff with expertise in the field, who will ensure successful implementation, smooth running and completion of these projects. “Most of us are aware of the desperate state in which our agriculture industry is in. Therefore initiatives such as this will bring change not only to the lives of our students, but to the society at large,” said Professor D Umesiobi, Head of the Department of Agricultural Management at CUT.

The renewable agreement is scheduled to end in January 2017.

For more Agriculture related articles click here.

April 8, 2015 Agricultural, Articles 0

Buying property - sound investment or money in the water?

To buy or to rent? That is the eternal question facing those who finally fly the nest to stand on their own feet. Buying a property is out of the question for many young people who leave their parents’ home for the first time to live on their own. Renting is often all they can afford.

However, the buy/rent dilemma is increasingly becoming a factor amongst older, more established adults as well. Owning a property is a huge financial commitment and one not many people can afford. As always, researching the options and weighing up the pro’s and con’s of both are the only way to make a decision that is right for you.

Advantages of owning property

  • Having a sense of ownership: Owning your own home undoubtedly creates a sense of pride. Having a place of your own gives you and your family a sense of stability and security. Plus you can make it your own and create a space where you feel comfortable and happy.
  • It offers a secure income stream and capital growth: If you buy-to-let, your property could earn you a nice little nest egg. Just remember to do your homework with regard to demand for rental property in the area in which you are thinking of buying.
  • The value of your property may increase with the investment: Spending money on renovations and making the property the best it can be will increase its value, allowing you to make a profit on the initial investment.

Disadvantages of owning property

  • It is a long-term financial commitment: Once you own a home, be prepared for the financial commitment it entails. These may include property taxes, water and electricity, walls, doors or frames that need repainting, things breaking and needing to be replaced and a garden that needs tending to.
  • Mortgage payments are usually much higher than rent payments: Owning will always be more expensive than renting.
  • The value of your house may not increase: The property market is very volatile and you might not make a profit on your investment, unless you are willing to wait until the market improves.

Advantages of renting property

  • Limited responsibility: Usually when you rent, your landlord is responsible for taxes, insurance and maintenance. That means less money spent on replacing or fixing utilities, unblocking drains, etc.
  • It is a cheaper option: Rent payments are usually much lower than mortgage payments.
  • Renting allows for much more flexibility than buying: Contracts are usually signed for one year. If your job requires you to move around a lot, this could be an option better suited to your circumstances.

Disadvantages of renting property

  • You do not control your housing destiny: Once a landlord decides to sell a property, you will have to move out and find a new home. A landlord may also raise the rent at the end of a lease, making it too expensive to remain in the same property.
  • You do not have the flexibility to create the home you want: Renters are very rarely allowed to make structural changes to a property, or even just paint a room a particular colour.
  • You are not building equity: Your monthly rental payment is not an investment in your future and by the end of the rental period, you will have nothing to show for months and months of payments.

Every person has different circumstances, different needs and a different financial situation. You are the only one who can decides whether it is best to buy or to rent a property.

April 8, 2015 Articles, Property 0

Buying a House

Buying a house is a big decision in everyone’s lives. It’s the biggest purchase of your life, and small mistakes can cost large. So we’ve drawn up a house-buying guide with a few tips on getting your hands on your dream home.

It is said that you only need to look at three things when buying a house – location, location and location. So let’s look at this point in a bit more detail. Will you be comfortable with the commute to work and the time spent on the roads? How far is it from the nearest schools? What is the security in the area like? If it’s a too expensive area, look at a neighboring area.

Make a list of things you are looking for in a home. Some comforts you will be flexible on and others not, so give them scores of importance. Also remember to include your future family plans.

Start your search online when buying a house. Property agents all have websites these days. Spend some time educating yourself about what’s available in the market. When you have a sense of what’s out there, you’ll be able to make better decisions as an informed buyer.

When buying a house, don’t just take the first deal you come across. Do your homework on property prices in the area. Get the average prices and make sure you are not being taken for a ride.

When you are ready to make an offer, bring in a specialist to inspect plumbing, electrics and structure, with attention to the roof. If he uncovers something, it doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t buy the property, but it puts you in a position to negotiate on the price.

Work out what your budget is before buying a house. Remember to include monthly costs like bond payments, insurance, water, electricity, and any levies. Being over cautious will protect you from a nasty surprise later on.

Something a lot of potential home owners overlook is considering the costs of ongoing property maintenance. The ability to own a home takes hard work and is a long-term financial responsibility. You should take into consideration costs of maintaining your home, making improvements or repairing things if they break.

April 8, 2015 Articles, Home Improvements, Building & DIY 0

Bullying in schools

First of all you need to know why this happens. Bullies tend to gain power by feeding on the self-esteem of their victims. It’s therefore essential that parents be able to identify the tell-tale signs of bullying and are able to protect their children against bullying in schools But the question is, what signs should one look out for?

In order to identify whether your child is a possible target you need to observe your child’s behavior and look for obvious signs that he/she might be a target. Does your child wear strange or outlandish clothing? Does he/she walk slumped with head down? Does your child prefer to sit alone while other children play? If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions then you’re child could be a victim of bullying in schools. It’s difficult and almost impossible to eradicate bullying in schools however, a few things can be done to help decrease the chances of your child becoming a victim of bullying in schools.

Your child will learn from the way you handle everyday situations and behave accordingly. When around your child carry yourself well. If one parent bullies another, your child will pick up on this behavior. Also avoid intervening in your child’s squabbles with other children, except in serious instances, as your child must learn to stand up for him or herself. Bullies often target children who are too afraid to stand up for themselves.

Encourage your child to talk to you if they encounter bullying in schools even if other children are the victims. Also encourage them to make and accept their own mistakes. Teach them to laugh their mistakes off and not be too hard on themselves as this is something a bully will feed on.

Remember as well that while you are looking for signs that your child is being bullied bullying in schools can also see your child dishing out the abuse to other children. Once again pay attention to your behavior in front of your children as they will pick up on domineering behavior. Have house rules your child must abide by and ensure there is both supervision and discipline. There is a fine line between raising a bully and raising a victim. Take note of the tips above to ensure that you are raising a happy child who is neither being bullied nor bullying other children.

April 8, 2015 Articles, Education & Schools 0

Building and DIY - Key points to remember

There are some brave souls, who prefer to do their own homebuilding or home renovations, rather than hiring a licensed general contractor. These owner builders, as they are known, manage the building schedule and take all the responsibility for the project. Building and DIY can be fun, but there are some key points to remember.

  • It requires a huge personal commitment. Your time, money, knowledge and physical presence will drive the project and ensure its timely completion. If you are not closely involved, chances are nothing will get done.
  • You take over the legal responsibility for hiring a team of workmen to complete the project. Even though you will do some things yourself, you will need help along the way. The owner builder will have to choose his work team and manage their compensation and working conditions.
  • It requires at least some skill. If you don’t know what you’re doing, it will cost you time, patience and a lot of money. Take the time to learn at least some building and DIY skills before you take the plunge.
  • Plan as much as possible beforehand. The old saying – fail to plan, plan to fail – is very true in this regard. Planning every detail before you turn the first sod, will save you a lot of time and money in the long run.
  • Overestimate, rather than underestimate costs. Building and DIY are full of surprises. Tiles will break, walls might have to be repainted, you might need more of something than anticipated.

Building and DIY could be hugely rewarding and might even save you some costs as hiring a general contractor adds to your renovation bill. However, be very clear and honest with yourself about what you want and about your own ability. Otherwise, your dream house could turn into your worst nightmare.

May 11, 2015 Articles, Home Improvements, Building & DIY 0

Boot on the other foot for Ferrari

<p>A recall notice states the Italian car maker’s F458 Italia and F458 Spider models suffer from a fault that means the “secondary latch” in the boot, located at the front of the &pound;200000 (about R3.65-million) cars, will not release when the vehicle has stopped.</p>

<p>Ferrari said this means that “in the event an individual is trapped in the trunk and the latch system does not release the trunk lid, it increases the risk of personal injury or possibly death”.</p>

<p>In the US, where the notice was released, cars must have a working latch in the boot in case a person becomes trapped. Ferrari has urged owners to take their cars to a dealer for a free repair.</p>

<p>The fault with Ferrari’ s cars only occurs when they are stationary. So, anyone trapped inside should presumably wait until the cars, with a top speed of more than 320km/h, are moving.</p>

<p>Source: <a href=”http://www.timeslive.co.za/thetimes/2014/09/26/boot-on-the-other-foot-for-ferrari” target=”_blank”>The Times</a></p>

April 7, 2015 Articles, Automotive & Services 0

Bloemfontein Entertainment

Bloemfontein is situated right in the middle of South Africa. You drive through this oasis when you are going from one end of South Africa to the other.

What do you do when you are in Bloemfontein for entertainment?

You can visit Oliewenhuis Art Museum, it is a Neo-Dutch style mansion that was completed in 1941 and it was the residence of the Governor General of the Union of South Africa. In 1985 it was converted into an art museum as a satellite of the National Museum. Some of the outstanding Permanent Collection housed at Oliewenhuis includes a unique outdoor Sculpture Park and a working African Carousel.

You can also stop by the Anglo Boer War Museum for a little bit of history entertainment. In this history museum you can see the age old conflicts of more than a century barely dampened by the passages, coming to life in one volatile museum.

After that you can stop by The National Museum if you are more interested in fossils. The National Museum will serve as good entertainment if you are a historian that likes fascinating items.

If you are more of an outdoor person Free Sate National Botanical Gardens will be the place where you will be entertained. This all year round popular carefully landscaped and colourful garden with paved walkways will be the place where you can have a walk in the moonlight.

If you are a night owl, but not into clubbing, then Naval Hill will be the place for you. You can drive up Naval Hill in the winter or summer for a picnic and enjoy the spectacular sunset over the Free State. The entrance is free and you have a full view over the City of Roses. This will surely be entertainment you will be able to tell your friends about.

You can stop by the mall or Waterfront and grab something to eat before you get out and about for some entertainment in Bloemfontein. Enjoy your stay!

April 8, 2015 Articles, Entertainment, Leisure, Sport & Adventure 0

Best Education Schools often unorthodox

A new global league table, produced by the Economist Intelligence Unit for Pearson, has found that Finland has the best education schools in the world. For Finland, this achievement is no fluke. Since it implemented huge education reforms 40 years ago, the country’s school system has consistently come in at the top of the international rankings for best education schools.

To the Western world, Finland’s education system might seem unorthodox.

Finnish children don’t start school until they are 7. They rarely take exams or do homework until they are well into their teens. The children are not measured at all for the first six years of their education. There is only one mandatory standardized test in Finland, taken when children are 16.

All children, clever or not, are taught in the same classrooms. Almost 70 percent of students go to college – the highest rate in Europe. The school system is 100% state funded. There is therefore in Finland technically no reason for a learner not to enjoy an excellent education. As part of its quest to produce best education schools, all teachers in Finland must have a masters degree. Teachers are given the same status as doctors and lawyers.

Another country worth mentioning when best education schools are discussed, is China. It has followed Finland’s lead and is also in the process of moving away from an exam-based system.

In 1985, Shanghai began a process of reform and created exams that test the application of real-life skills.

Despite the reforms, exams however still exist. Most students attend weekend “cram schools” to ensure that they pass. This comes in addition to nightly homework and extracurricular activities – making the life of a Chinese student overwhelming.

Germany is widely acknowledged as one of the most developed countries in the world. It is thus expected of them to boast some of the best education schools, globally.

Yet, you might find the way they regard education, surprising. Contrary to stereotypes, most German parents are the opposite of strict. They place a high value on independence and responsibility.

For example: They don’t push reading. Kindergartens don’t emphasize academics. In fact parents are discouraged to teach their children to read. Kindergarten is a time for play and social learning. But even in first grade, academics aren’t pushed very hard. A half-day of instruction is interrupted by two protracted outdoor recesses. This relaxed approach does however not mean a poor education: German 15-year-olds perform well above the international average when it comes to reading, math and science.

Meanwhile the biggest ever global school rankings were published recently, with African countries right at the bottom. Ghana came stone last, with South Africa second last.

Jonathan Jansen, vice-chancellor of the University of the Free State, recently had the following to say on social media regarding best education schools in South Africa: “The top schools in our country are those who turn the few resources they have into outstanding academic results. Those who produce top results with the best resources available are supposed to do well.”

It would be interesting to know whether Finland’s thinking features in South African education leaders’ future plans.

June 30, 2015 Articles, Education & Schools 0