World Cup 2014 Fever in Miami

Chris Boothman
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7
World Cup 2014 Fever in Miami

For as far back as I can remember, I have always been passionate about pretty much all sports and anything related to them! Aside from horse racing, though after experiencing the Kentucky Derby Museum at Churchill Downs even my opinion on this sport is changing, I am convinced that I will watch and make an effort to watch anything related to the sports domain.

Let’s throw in another of my passions – travel! When Heather and I started traveling more frequently, I realized that this was a perfect opportunity to expand my sporting event portfolio. Honestly, travel and sports really do go hand in hand because it allows you to see the world whilst at the same time experiencing an awesome event.

Whether you are passionate about the French Open at Rolland Garros in Paris or the Tri-Nations Rugby series held in South Africa, Australia or New Zealand, traveling the world and watching sport is a perfect combination.

World Cup Fever

The majority of the world will soon be glued to their TV’s as the start of the World Cup 2014 begins in Brazil. Even in USA where the passion is the ‘Big 3’ sports, there is still a buzz going around that the US team may perform admirably in the so-called Group of Death alongside Portugal, Germany and Ghana. Prior to the World Cup starting, all teams generally play a few friendlies and warm-up matches around the world to get acclimatized to the conditions.

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England opted to fly out to Miami for two encounters with Ecuador and Honduras. I saw this as a perfect opportunity to give the boys a good send off before heading to Brazil. I remember the last time I watched the England national team was in 1997 when they played South Africa at Old Trafford in Manchester which at the time was strange because it was one of the first occasions where they played a home match away from Wembley.

Pre-Game Parties

We arrived at Sun Life Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins, a couple of hours prior to kick-off and the first thing we noticed was the large number of Honduras supporters that had made their way to the game. Of course the traveling English ‘Barmy Army’ were still in strong presence and it was great to see everyone partying together in the Game Time Plaza.

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I know that whenever the World Cup begins and fans from all teams begin to get more passionate about the results and performances, tensions will begin to rise. However, friendly matches are usually a time for fans to get together and really show their spirit and love for the beautiful game.

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England vs Honduras

Our seats inside the stadium were excellent, we were near the half-way line and only 15 rows back which gave us a great view of the pitch. We were seated in plenty of time to see both teams warming up and we were both pretty anxious for the game to begin.

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Unfortunately the game itself was rather a letdown in terms of the scoreline which finished 0-0 but there was plenty for England to cheer about, mainly as they headed to Brazil unscathed with no further injuries.

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The highlight of the encounter occurred after just 23 minutes of the match when the referee suspended the match for 30+ minutes due to lightning and torrential rain in the Miami area. A first for England but relatively common in this part of the world especially in the late afternoon.

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If you have ever watched a live friendly match either in person or on TV, you will understand that the main goal of these types of matches is usually to try different formations, help gel the team together and ultimately make progress in preparation for the next competitive match.

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Chances for both teams in this friendly were at a premium though Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge will feel that he should have got his name on the scoresheet as he squandered England’s best chances on two separate occasions. Wayne Rooney saw a free-kick awkwardly handled by the Honduras goalkeeper but apart from that, England supporters were left disappointed despite some encouraging cameo displays from Ross Barkley and Jordan Henderson. Honduras were reduced to 10 men midway through the second half when Brayan Beckeles was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence.

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Heading to Brazil

A feisty encounter which lacked a real cutting edge is a good way to summarize this match. It was a really enjoyable occasion sat in a crowd in excess of 45,000 which is reasonable for two countries playing away from home in a meaningless match aside from warming up for the upcoming World Cup.

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Am I encouraged by England’s performance to believe they will be successful in Brazil? Unfortunately not! I will say though that for those fans heading to Brazil, it will be an awesome experience to watch the Three Lions playing in the Amazon rainforest location of Manaus along with opportunities to explore other parts of this beautiful country.

So, if you are fortunate enough to be heading to Brazil to watch any of the World Cup matches, then it’s fair to say that I am very envious and jealous because I imagine this will be an amazing experience.

What are your experiences of combining travel with sport? Do you find that they go hand in hand?

Lenmar Revv Battery Power Pack – Product Review

Chris Boothman
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13
Lenmar Revv Battery Power Pack – Product Review

How many times are you out traveling with your phone and all of a sudden you notice that you get the dreaded ‘low battery’ indicator? If you use an iPhone or Android smartphone, I am sure the answer to this is pretty frequent. Of course if you are in your vehicle or in a hotel, you can hook up your charger but what about when you are exploring ‘off the beaten path’ and have no access to a car charger or AC power.

iPhone Low Battery Indicator

Well, we have found a device that solves all of these problems. The Revv Battery Power Pack by Lenmar is an extremely portable, aesthetically pleasing device that is perfect to throw in your pocket, backpack or purse. Just connect your smartphone charger to the device via USB, and watch your phones battery gain much needed life.

Lenmar Revv Battery Pack

The Revv provides up to one full iPhone or Android smartphone charge without needing to recharge the device. A handy LED indicator and capacity level gives a quick glance guide as to how much charge is on the external battery as follows:

  • One LED indicates 20-40%
  • Two LEDs indicate 40-60%
  • Three LEDs indicate 60-80%
  • Four LEDs indicate 80-100%

How do you charge your Revv Battery Power Pack? Simple, just connect the micro USB cable that is included to the device and to a USB computer, wall adapter or USB car charger.

There are many products similar to the Revv in today’s technology market. I know that Lenmar doesn’t have a monopoly in this domain because we have several other products that are comparable, but a couple of aspects that this product does have that may provide a competitive advantage are the portability and sleek look.

Lenmar Revv Battery Pack

When you bundle this with your iPhone or other smartphone, you have a really good-looking combination that I am convinced is a great selling point. The ultra-slim design of the Revv is undoubtedly going to encourage folks to purchase this product. With Apple and other leading smartphone manufacturers struggling to offset technological advancements with longer battery life in phones, these types of products are a necessity rather than a desire.

The Pros

  • Lightweight and Ultra Portable
  • Stylish and Aesthetically Pleasing
  • Provides Full Charge to Smartphone
  • Ease of Use

The Cons

  • Could provide longer battery life on just one full charge
  • Saturated market of battery packs and external chargers make it difficult to differentiate

Conclusion

The Lenmar Revv Battery Power Pack is a product you have to carry around with you! It’s so good that you don’t even know that you have it because of it’s lightweight design and usability. I have been very impressed by this product and look forward to gaining the benefits of this in the future. I would also highly recommend checking out the various other travel related products by Lenmar, I am convinced there will be something out there that meets your needs!

***If you are interested in purchasing this product or any other products directly from Lenmar, you can use the following coupon code TRAVEL10 to receive a 10% discount*** 

*Disclosure of Material Connection: A Brit & A Southerner was not financially compensated for this post. We received a free sample from Lenmar for consideration of review purposes only. This is solely our personal opinion/experience*

Explore Boston in 24 Hours

Chris Boothman
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42
Explore Boston in 24 Hours

Exploring any city around the world in less than a day is no mean feat so trying to explore one of America’s leading cities is certainly an unenviable task. Explore Boston in 24 hours? Yeah, right! However, our experience there on the final day of our New England road trip is worthy of sharing as it gives an insight into what can be achieved in such a short timeframe.

After leaving Providence, Rhode Island around 11:00AM, we made our way north to the JFK Presidential Library and Museum where we spent a couple of hours before heading to downtown Boston. We parked in the Boston Common underground parking garage which at $12 for all day parking on a Sunday is a pretty good deal for a downtown metropolis.

Lunch at Cheers

It wouldn’t be a trip to Boston without sampling the cuisine at Cheers, the restaurant famous for the TV sitcom shown around the world. Located on Beacon Hill, this famous location is just a few minutes from the Boston Common and the parking garage is actually the recommended parking spot if you are visiting just to experience Cheers.

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Of course you are probably familiar with the exterior of the building if you have seen the TV show, but the interior was surprisingly small and compact, really a perfect location for the Cheers cast to enhance the theme “Where Everybody Knows Your Name.”

A short 10 minute wait gave us time to browse the gift shop before being seated in the back of the restaurant. Between us we sampled the Cheers Cheeseburger and Sam’s Turkey Sandwich which are both great options! Another great incentive when visiting Cheers is to pay for either a beer or a soft drink and then for an additional $6 you can take away your very own Cheers mug.

The Freedom Trail

Leaving the Cheers restaurant, we were handed a brochure highlighting the famous Cheers Trail that takes you from the original Beacon Hill location, to the newer Cheers restaurant that has been built in the Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Along the route, you can take in part of the ‘Freedom Trail’ which gives visitors to Boston the opportunity to see many of the leading historic sites that makes the city so attractive for tourists.

One of the best aspects of this walking tour is that it is FREE, unless you decide to visit some of the attractions along the way (e.g. museums etc.). Here are some of the leading attractions along the route that we experienced:

Boston Common

boston in 24 hours

We really felt that the Boston Common was the heart of the city. This is a location that locals and tourists alike congregate and relax among natural beauty with lakes, greenery and other natural attractions making this an eco-friendly spot to spend an afternoon. Why not grab an ice-cream or a drink from a local vendor and take a seat in front of Washington’s Memorial or the Boston Common Lake!

Park Street Church

boston in 24 hours

Park Street Church is a historic Congregational church on the Trail. Adjacent to the church is the Granary Burial Ground which is home to resting place of Samuel Adams, John Hancock and Paul Revere. You can even see Adams’ grave from the sidewalk as you pass by the church.

boston in 24 hours

Boston Massacre Site & Old State House

boston in 24 hours

Probably the most famous site throughout the Freedom Trail is the Old State House which is home to the Boston Massacre in 1770. The cobbled streets surrounding this location played host to violence between colonists and British soldiers.Today, in front of the Old State House, a circle of cobblestones commemorates the Boston Massacre event!

Quincy Market

boston in 24 hours

Quincy Market, also known as the Faneuil Hall Marketplace is located at the end of the ‘Cheers Trail’ as it provides the location for the modern version of the Cheers Boston chain. The area surrounding Quincy Market and South Market is a haven for restaurants, shopping, local street entertainment and other attractions that make this a popular spot for people to wander around.

Fenway Park

When you think about the most famous stadiums in Major League Baseball, aside from the original Yankee Stadium, there are probably none more popular than Fenway Park. If you are visiting downtown Boston, why not hop on the T-Subway to take advantage of the great Boston public transportation system to visit the home of the Boston Red Sox. Alternatively, it is a short drive from downtown Boston to get to the park.

boston in 24 hours

Just being in close proximity to such an iconic ballpark was enough to make you want to return to see the Red Sox in action.

Summary

We really made the most of our time in Boston but even in just a few hours we were able to catch a glimpse of what this beautiful city has to offer. I have read many reviews about Boston, both positive and negative but everything from our experience there was a definite thumbs up! The food, the history, the architecture among many other things are all positive aspects that will likely encourage you to pay a return visit.

Stereotypically known as ‘America’s Walking City’, Boston is designed in such a way that once you have parked your car or taken public transportation to get downtown, the remainder of your time can be spent wandering around the historic streets of this city.

Breathtaking Montmorency Falls in Quebec City

Chris Boothman
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18
Breathtaking Montmorency Falls in Quebec City

The sight of gushing water scrambling over cliffs around the world really is a spectacular experience, especially when you are fortunate enough to see some of the world’s leading waterfalls such as Niagara Falls or Victoria Falls. However, when you come across a relatively unheralded waterfall as we did during our visit to Quebec City, Canada it really is an inspiring find that warrants some exposure.

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If you head to Quebec City, I would highly encourage you to take a short 15 minute drive away from the historic downtown district to sample Montmorency Falls which truly are a breathtaking natural phenomenon.

The area surrounding the falls is protected within the Parc de la Chute-Montmorency and after leaving Autoroute 440E, you have to pay the admission fee in order to truly experience the waterfalls. Sure, you could decide to watch the waterfalls from a distance but the true experience takes place as you enter the park and have the option of viewing the falls from the cable car that takes you up the mountain side.

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The cost for two adults is $29 (Canadian Dollars) which includes unlimited access to the cable car and also your parking fee (alone that would be $10) which at first may seem a little expensive but after spending a few hours you will soon realize that this is money well spent.

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Your self-guided tour of Montmorency Falls begins at the railway station which conveniently allows visitors to stop here or for those just passing through provides spectacular scenery en route to their final destination.

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We opted to take the cable car which offers amazing scenery not only of the Falls but also the bridges crossing the St. Lawrence River and distant Quebec City skyline. Gliding up the mountain in the cable car provides you with ample time to take some memorable photographs.

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After disembarking from the cable car, the first thing you notice is the impressive design of Montmorency Manor. This manor is most famous for being the summer residence of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, and father of Queen Victoria.

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Built in 1781, this manor now offers visitors with a restaurant where you can sit inside or outside overlooking the spectacular scenery that surrounds the park, and also a visitor center where you can pick up more information on the Falls along with purchasing some gifts to really help cherish your experience here!

Spending some time inside the Manor is certainly worthwhile before venturing out towards the suspension bridge that covers the majestic waterfall.

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If you have any fear of heights or suspension bridges, walking across Montmorency Falls is probably either a great way to overcome these fears or perhaps the swaying feeling of the bridge may worsen your phobia. Although Heather’s fear of heights isn’t enough to prevent her from experiencing such attractions, I could tell as we made our way across the bridge that she was a little wary of her surroundings.

You really get to appreciate the force of the waterfall as it makes its way down the apparent calm river and then rapidly picks up speed as it makes the 275ft drop. The scene is majestic and worthy of the admission fee alone.

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As you cross to the other side of the suspension bridge, there is a scenic walk that you can take around the valley and down to the panoramic stairs which were unfortunately closed whilst we were there. When open, these give visitors the opportunity to climb 487 stairs down the ridge to feel the real force of the waterfall as you edge closer to the attraction.

I have to admit that this staircase looks a little precarious as it snakes its way down the side of the cliff. It’s obviously a great spot for folks working out as even when the staircase was closed, there was a couple of daredevils running up and down as they tested their endurance.

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The walk back to the cable car gives you the opportunity to revisit all the same locations again but from the opposite angle. Our experience at Montmorency Falls was a definite positive one and I am envious of locals who are able to relax here after work or on the weekend and listen to the calming sound of the water cascading down the Falls.

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Have you experienced Montmorency Falls before? What other unsung waterfalls around the world have you visited that are worthwhile exploring?

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