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Holland: A Nation Obsessed with the Outdoors

Ask anyone about Holland and the first thing that comes to mind is Amsterdam. The capital city of the Netherlands is renowned for city breaks that allegedly allow travelers to indulge in all manner of sins. In that sense, the Netherlands can often be mistaken for a country that is famous for the somewhat unusual and downright unsavory, depending on how prudish you are, but the reality couldn’t be further from the truth.

Forget everything you’ve been told 

This is in fact a country that is obsessed with the outdoors and staying fit. Indeed, a large majority of the population of just over 17 million people make it their duty to remain active all year round. You’ll even see the footloose and fancy-free Amsterdammers jogging past you as you sip a drink on a night out in one of the picturesque restaurants that flank the historic canals of the city. The flow of these runners is actually never-ending and can cause you to feel a bit guilty about being on holiday given that it seems to be toned person after toned person flicking up dust into your local brew, all with smartphones attached to their arms and the latest wireless earbuds plugged into their ears.

All of this makes me think about Katie Melua’s song about there being nine million bicycles in Beijing, which amusingly the Guardian newspaper unsurprisingly managed to find a way to take great offense to by calling it bad science. Well, after landing back at Gatwick, I’m prepared to be lumped into the group who unashamedly practice bad science because I can safely say that there are ten million joggers in Amsterdam.

The long and short of it is that the jogging craze in the Netherlands’ capital represents the country’s total fixation with exercise. But what is the explanation for this fascination?

Perhaps one can find an answer by drawing similarities with our reality in the United Kingdom. Predictably, the weather is never a subject that is far off from conversation, but to my surprise, I found that the Dutch are equally as guilty of speaking about it too much. In fact, you’d think that the weather was indeed wetter in Holland than it is in the UK. Well, as it happens, it is, who would have thought? This list of the wettest cities in Europe places Amsterdam at number 11, whilst London is all the way down in 35th place. Anyway, I digress, but the point is, the Dutch seem to make more of an effort to get outside because of how bad the conditions are. They rebel in the face of the otherwise dreadful elements and take to the great outdoors as few countries do in Europe.

The Dutch and their deep love affair with football 

It won’t come as a surprise to many, but the outdoor activity participated in by most in the Netherlands is football. Incredibly, the Dutch Football Association counts as many as 1,193,357 active members who play football in the country. That is an astonishing number when you consider the population is 17 million. Additionally, there are 2919 amateur clubs that play football and 61 professional clubs that make up the Dutch footballing pyramid. Quite simply, the people of the Netherlands have an insatiable appetite for the game. Intriguingly, this has led to the rise of a number of betting sites in the Netherlands even though the betting laws of the country can be contrasting, as the above site discusses. The good news for the Dutch betting hopefuls is that local bookmakers and foreign betting sites are rubbing their hands together at the prospect of gaining increased and legal exposure to a population who, as mentioned, enjoy gambling.

Yes, this nation’s unquestionable zest for life covers many different spheres, from the exhilarating to the tranquil.

The list goes on 

Indeed, if it’s not football or betting, it’s walking and that’s not hard to figure out why. The Dutch make the most of their exceptionally flat landscape, which is only 322.7 meters high at its most extreme point, by enjoying long walks through the most extraordinary scenery. The trails really are endless and comprise forests, countryside, dunes, and beaches. With crisp air, moderate temperatures, and an obliging landscape, walking in the Netherlands is truly a dream.

Hockey is another firm favorite outdoor pastime and that’s probably down to the success that the national teams have enjoyed at the Olympics. Data shows that two percent of the population take part in the team sport – that is slightly higher than that of horse riding, which is nevertheless still enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of Dutch citizens. So too is cycling. Astonishingly, on any working day between 8 am and 9 am in the morning, almost 2 million bicycles will be on the roads of the Netherlands. It’s not just tourists either, given that the locals seem to explore every inch of the countryside not by car, but by bicycle.

Who can blame everyone for doing so? Making your way past a turning windmill near a field of bright tulips really is one of the most therapeutic activities you will ever experience.

The lack of hills also means the feeling of euphoria won’t be abruptly ruined anytime soon, although even if there were Tour de France style climbs, I don’t think it would stop the Dutch from doing it, in fact, nothing could stop this country from getting outdoors. They’re quite frankly never going to be defeated by the weather and have a deep yearning to stretch their legs.

What is the Cost of a KIA Cerato?

The KIA Cerato is a compact car manufactured by the South Korea-based company, KIA. The first car rolled out in the year 2003. The compact car comes in many attractive colors. KIA makes many variants of the Cerato. There are coupes and hatchbacks in addition to the base version. Two versions with a capacity of 1.6L and 2.0L are available in the market. KIA Cerato prices depend on the capacity of the car and the variant.

KIA Cerato 1.6L Base

This variant of the KIA Cerato comes in ten colors. The car is a four-wheel drive, four-door, sedan. The seating capacity of the car is five persons. It contains all safety features and costs $13,000.

KIA Cerato 1.6L Top

This sleek sedan by KIA was introduced in the year 2015. It comes in eleven colors. It is a front-wheel drive, four-door sedan that has a seating capacity for five persons. It is fitted with all safety features and costs $ 18,400.

KIA Cerato 1.6L Base Hatchback

This front-wheel drive, five-door, hatchback comes in ten attractive colors. It was introduced by KIA in the year 2015. Five persons can comfortably travel in the car. The car is fitted with high-quality safety features. The car costs $16,300.

KIA Cerato 1.6L Top Hatchback

This compact and attractive hatchback made by KIA comes in ten colors. It is a front-wheel drive, five-door car that has a seating capacity for five persons. All safety features are fitted in the car for worry-free driving. The cost of the KIA Cerato 1.6L Top Hatchback is $19,000.

KIA Cerato 1.6L Coupe

Launched in the year 2015, the KIA Cerato1.6L Coupe is a sleek and compact two-door coupe. The all-wheel drive car comes in a choice of eleven colors. Four persons can comfortably sit in the car. The best quality safety features are included and the cost of the KIA Cerato 1.6L Coupe is $ 19,000.

KIA Cerato 2.0 L

This elegant and powerful sedan was introduced by KIA in the year 2015. The all-wheel-drive car comes in eleven colors. The four-door car has a seating capacity for five persons. The car is fitted with all safety and comfort features. The cost of the KIA Cerato 2.0L is $20,600.

KIA Cerato 2.0L Base KOUP

This front-wheel drive, powerful and compact coupe was introduced in the market in the year 2015. The 2-door coupe can seat four persons and comes in ten colors. All safety and convenience features are included to give a comfortable and peaceful drive. The cost of the KIA Cerato 2.0L Base KOUP is $18,700.

KIA Cerato 2.0L Top KOUP

The KIA Cerato 2.0L Top KOUP is a coupe introduced by KIA in the year 2015. The 2-door coupe can seat four persons comfortably. The coupe comes with high-quality luxury features including leather seats. The car is available in ten colors. The cost of the KIA Cerato 2.0L Top KOUP is $20,900. The KIA Cerato is a comfortable, affordable and feature-rich car. The cost of the car depends on the variant of the car. The car is a suitable family car fitted with all safety devices without compromising on comfort.

Top 4 Advantages of Timeshare Ownership All Vacationers Should Know

Vacations come with a lot of fun and excitement. And that almost doubles when you know you are going to live in a luxurious resort full of all the classy amenities you have been looking forward to.

There are numerous premium luxury resort destinations around the world. Each resort is unique and beautiful, and every year thousands of people visit there to spend some quality time with their friends and family.

Numerous people spend their vacations in the resorts, which means they are always very crowded, so it’s pretty hard to find separate accommodation for you. But no need to worry because many people save their time and money by owning a timeshare. Timeshare is a property jointly owned by people, and unlike hotels, it can be spacious lodgings with a fully equipped kitchen, dining room, living room, and bedroom suites.

If you are thinking of getting timeshare ownership, you should know about its several advantages. Let’s have a look:

    • You have the freedom to choose a brand and home resort:

There are a large number of timeshare brands and resorts available globally. If you are very particular and looking for something specific to your needs, then you are getting a wide variety to pick the ownership brands and resorts your love. If you choose a specific brand that you trust completely, you don’t have to worry about your stay’s services, amenities, and quality.

    • You will save time and efforts:

Nowadays, people don’t have much time to look at multiple websites for accommodation before going on a vacation. It also invests a lot of time and effort. But if you own a timeshare, you don’t have to worry about anything because it will make all the processes easy and straightforward. When you are a timeshare owner, you have to call your resort to confirm your reservation when you are vacationing and then book the other travel needs around it. You can save a lot of time relaxing instead of finding the best deals for your stay.

    • You will get numerous on-site amenities:

Being a timeshare owner, you will get the most lavish and updated accommodation with a fully-equipped kitchen, washer & dryers, and a luxurious bedroom with all facilities. For instance – many people experience on-site amenities at a spot like Vidanta. Vidanta luxury resorts offer luxurious services for restaurants & bars, swimming pools, fitness centers, etc. But just in case you think that your privacy is hindered and you are not comfortable, then you can get out of Vidanta timeshare anytime with a proper process with the help of a timeshare cancellation company. You have to follow a legal procedure, and your money will be returned.

    • You can choose timeshare property as per your need:

The best thing about timeshare brands is that their properties are available almost everywhere around the globe. So you can choose your vacation destination anywhere in the world to explore different places. You can expand your vacationing horizons and enjoy all the comfort you love.

Bottom Line

Being a timeshare owner is one of the best decisions because you can explore the world by staying in luxurious resorts without burning a hole in your pocket!

How to Keep Yourself Entertained During a Long-Haul Flight

Are you planning your next trip to a far-flung destination? Then check out these ideas to keep you entertained during your flight…
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There is finally light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, and that means long haul travel is back on the cards. If you’re planning to hop on a flight and travel to far-flung, exotic destinations, then this article is for you. Long haul flights might be taking you to somewhere special, but there’s no denying that spending hours on a flight can be tiresome. We’re here to help you wile away the flying time with a few ideas on how to keep yourself entertained.

Play Games

Playing games is a great way to keep your mind occupied during long haul travel. We recommend downloading a few of your favorite games onto your mobile or tablet. Once you’re in the air, you can turn your device back on and start playing. If you’re up for taking a few risks, you can hit up one of the fast payout casino sites at new-casino.ca. Many of these have apps that you can download, which makes in-flight access much easier. Playing poker is a great option, because it’s a game of skill, which means that you need to focus on the game at hand. Your focus on the game will help take your mind off the fact that you’re stuck on a plane for ten hours. You’d be amazed at how easy it is to play card games for hours at a time. And when you get tired, you can turn to slot games for some easy rounds on the reels.

Engage Your Fellow Traveller

If gambling is not your jam, then there are plenty of other games that will help keep you engaged. Chess is a great game to play when you’ve got time on your hands, because the game requires concentration, patience, and strategic planning. If you’ve got a chess game loaded onto your device, you can play against an A.I. opponent. You can also find travel-sized chess boards, or backgammon boards, that you can set up on your tray table and play with your travel buddy. Having a pack of cards in your bag is also a great idea when you’re travelling. Card games are a great way to break the ice with the stranger sitting next to you, so if you’re traveling alone, you can turn to your seat neighbor and suggest a game of Gin Rummy or blackjack.

Zone Out with a Movie

The great thing about long haul flights is the in-flight entertainment center. You’ll find a surprisingly good selection of movies on the screen in front of you, so why not plug in your headphones and get lost in a good story? It’s actually possible to spend the entire flight watching back-to-back movies, but if you do that, you might end up feeling brain-drained by the time you arrive at your destination. We suggest mixing up your time between watching movies, playing games, and getting in a snooze. Be sure to take a travel pillow on board with you, and if possible, take your own eye-mask with you and sprinkle it with a few drops of lavender oil because it will help you fall asleep.

Start Knitting

Another great option for passing the time on a long-haul flight is knitting. Knitting is a relaxing pastime that many people take up for its meditative qualities. Your mind will focus on the task at hand without having to think to hard about what it is you’re doing. The repetitive nature of knitting makes it easy to get into a pleasing rhythm, and your mind will begin to relax and release any negative thoughts that might be making you feel tense. If you’re not a happy flyer, this could be a great option for helping you to stay calm during your flight. If knitting doesn’t appeal, you can get the same result from drawing, for example, or writing a journal, or even just getting stuck into a really good book.

We are happy to present this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.

Do I Need a Personal Injury Lawyer in Tampa, Florida?

A personal injury lawyer is probably not what comes to mind first, immediately after being injured.

After the accident, you’ll most likely seek medical care to treat your injuries. If you did not cause the accident, you should make a personal injury claim. You have a right to compensation for your injuries and loss.

However, settling an injury claim is a challenging process, especially if you have no legal representation. Hiring a personal injury lawyer will make the process more bearable.

Reasons to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer

You might still be feeling skeptical about hiring a personal injury attorney. After all, you can stand up for yourself, and it’s clear the other party was at fault.

However, insurance companies try their best to avoid liability and, if possible, not offer compensation. But, a lawyer will fight for your rights, and you have a better chance of getting compensation.

According to a study by the Insurance Research Council, 85% of car accident victims who hired a lawyer got their claims settled by the insurance companies. Other reasons to hire a lawyer include the following:

1. Protect Your Legal Rights

Personal injury lawyers know all the tactics that insurance companies use to deny your rights.

They will say things like you were to blame for the accident, your medical reports are not good enough, or you can’t prove the impact of the injury in a court, and other allegations.

A lawyer will protect you from intimidation by the insurance company and protect your legal interests.

2. Help You Gather Evidence

To prove injury and liability, you need substantial evidence:

    • Medical records
    • Police report
    • Witness statements
    • Photos and videos from the crime scene
    • Injury diary

It may be challenging to get the evidence on your own. Your lawyer can help you gather everything you need to prove the other party was at fault and your injuries result from the accident.

3. Help to Accurately Assess Long-Term Effects of the Injuries and the Extent of Pain and Suffering

Your injuries might have long-term effects such as follow-up medical care like physiotherapy. It might also affect your ability to work and lead to a loss of wages.

You should also be compensated for your pain and suffering. The monetary compensation depends on the extent of the pain, suffering, and trauma.

A personal injury lawyer has experience dealing with such cases and can help you assess how the injuries will affect you long-term and how much pain and suffering they have caused you. This will determine how much your compensation will be worth.

4. They Know the Ins and Outs of Your Case

From experience they have gathered over the years, a lawyer knows how to handle your case and everything else involved.

They know the rules and guidelines, paperwork required, and are well versed in the process of filing a claim.

Additionally, a personal injury lawyer is well conversant with the local laws on personal injury claims, including;

    • Relevant statutes
    • Legal precedents on automobile accidents, premises liability, slip and fall, wrongful death, and other personal injury cases
    • Local personal injury law
    • Local insurance companies and judges
5. They Can Fight for You in Court

If your case goes to court, a personal injury lawyer will represent and fight for you. Settlement cases rarely get this far, but in the rare case they do, you’ll be more advantaged with a lawyer than without.

Your case will be heard and settlement determined by the jury. Although it might take a bit longer, with a good lawyer like 2Tims Law, you can rest assured you’re well represented.

How to use the Infrastructure as Code Devops

If a platform is designed based on devops principles, many processes will run faster and much more efficiently…
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If a platform is designed based on devops principles, many processes will run faster and much more efficiently. The use of the infrastructure as code devops helps accelerate the development of operational software and improve the company’s productivity.

The main task of devops is to improve and simplify the process of developing and delivering effective software by uniting them into one category and by organizing processes that can later be automated with the use of programmable code.

By automating your infrastructure, you will be able to reduce the risk of human error, speed up processes, and automate repetitive tasks. As a result, this approach will allow your company to do more and spend less, the resource costs will decrease while the profit will increase. This is the main priority of every company.

Key benefits of devops

Almost all work processes of companies are carried out using a certain software. Companies use software to communicate with employees and customers, carry out deliveries and sales, and perform hundreds other tasks.

The main advantages of devops include:

    • high level of reliability;
    • scaling;
    • optimization of team work;
    • protection and safety;
    • high speed of work;
    • new opportunities.

With the help of the infrastructure as code devops, any company will be able not only to control all work processes and protect its virtual storages but also to reduce the time spent on routine processes by several times.

How are programmable infrastructure and devops related?

Essentially, the concept of devops evolved from the programmable infrastructure. The codes that run apps and the codes that customize platforms are very closely related. Specialists and developers encounter common challenges when working with the infrastructure as code devops.

Implementation of the infrastructure as code devops can be challenging for even the most experienced IT professionals. This can take a lot of time, effort and financial costs. To save valuable resources, it is best to hire trained and experienced specialists. You can find them at the SHALB company. Your company’s developers can work on more important tasks while the specialists are working on implementation of the infrastructure as code devops.

We are happy to present this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.

Cannot Travel? This is How Elderly Can Improvise and Have Fun on Their Own!

Older adults are often confined to their homes due to health conditions and various other restrictions. The ongoing pandemic has been an added blow and is making it harder to stay motivated and positive. As such, it may seem like there is no way for the elderly people to have fun on their own, but this could not be further from the truth! In this blog post, we will outline some interesting and easy to do activities for seniors that they can keep them occupied and let them have some fun at the same time! If you are an elderly person who is looking for something to do on your own without having to spend money on travel, then read on for some great ideas.

Enjoy the Outdoors

Even if you cannot travel, you can still get out and enjoy your surroundings. If you are a senior capable of performing your IADL and ADL, we recommend you to go for a walk every day, do some grocery shopping from local stores, or visit nearby parks. These activities will not only work as some good physical exercise, but also allow you to socialize and meet new people.

Apart from that, if you are lucky enough to have a backyard or garden adjacent to your house, you can spend a lot of time nurturing the plants, walking around on the grass or simply having your morning coffee outside. Staying close to nature can immensely benefit your mental health and keep you refreshed.

Take up Hobbies

We all know that hobbies are extremely good for our mental health and can also provide us with a sense of accomplishment, but they are even more beneficial when you are confined to your home. You do not have to pick up something super complicated or exotic. Just try doing something which you enjoy. For example, if you have a knack for cooking, try creating new dishes and recipes then share it with your family or friends. If knitting is your thing, then knit something for someone else or learn how to make some fancy stitches. Reading is also a great pastime and keeps your mind active and your thoughts stimulated.

Get Creative

If you are feeling like you need a change of scenery, there is no better time than now to gradually ease into doing the things that used to make you happy once upon a time!  Some people like to paint, woodworking or playing different instruments. All these hobbies can be done with very limited physical strain, but can have a lasting positive impact on your mental health as well as give you a great sense of accomplishment. Simply put, gradually go back to your old hobbies or try new ones!

Host Events at Home

If the ongoing restrictions allow, you can arrange a little get together or event in your backyard or house. Invite your dear ones over and have some good old time with food, music and games. You could have guests bring their own dishes and drinks too so that you will not have to worry about doing all the cooking and cleaning alone! This is a fantastic way to spend some quality time with your loved ones and would prevent you from feeling isolated.

Make a Scrapbook

Make a scrapbook of your favorite memories from when you were younger to share with family members who cannot visit as often. You could have a photo album of the pictures that they had taken at your events and make sure to add some recent photos too. This is a great way to reminisce about fond memories and share the joy.

Find Out What’s Going on in Your Area

Look for places around the city that would make good destinations for your next trip – even if they are not exotic locations! It could be anything from museums to zoos, libraries, parks, or just walking through different neighborhoods in your locality. You will find new things about where you live while also getting some fresh air and exercise!

Join an Online Community

Find an online community where you can talk to people who live nearby or share similar interests. It could be your local senior center, a website for seniors in your area, or just an online forum related to the topics you feel drawn towards. There are many sites that offer this type of community and allow you to talk with people who have similar hobbies or are in the similar age group. It can really help make you feel less alone! If you are not too accustomed to these things, you can seek help from a younger member of the family or a friend!

Make your Own “Movie Theater”

How long has it been since you last watched a movie? Feels like ages ago, doesn’t it? If you cannot go to theaters, consider making a “movie theater” in your own home! Find an empty room or space and set up some chairs. Use a projector to project the movie onto a large screen. You will get that big-screen experience at home while not having to pay anything for tickets or concessions! If that feels like a lot of hassle, worry not! Simply turn off all the lights, close the curtains, create an ambiance for yourself and play something on your TV or computer that you love.

 Practice Self-care

When everything feels like a bit too overwhelming, allow yourself to take a step back and relax. Give yourself permission to do things that you usually would not be doing – like taking long baths, eating out at a fancy restaurant, or buying yourself some new clothes. Remember that it is also completely fine to just take a day off and do nothing. We are all going through a challenging time and you are already doing the best you can do to survive this phase. Most importantly, do not hesitate to ask for help if you need it!

Bottom line, as you can see there are many ways you can make your life a little less lonely even if you cannot travel or go out as often as you would like to. Do not feel like you are missing out on things in your life, but instead use what little energy you have left to do things that make it a little more fun for yourself. So when are you planning to try some of these cool activities if you have not already? Let us know!