#Bay Resort

[nguyendovinhphong]

Tạm biệt, Bay Resort Hoi An!

Ngày đầu đặt chân đến Bay Resort Hoi An, tôi đã xem đây như một gia đình. Trên công trường, trong ngổn ngang những vật liệu xây dựng, giữa những hành lang dẫn lối hun hút, tôi có cảm tưởng như mình đang lạc trong một khu chung cư thân thuộc ở Hà Nội. Cái cảm giác nhẹ nhõm dễ chịu len vào trong óc, khi được nhìn thấy những dây cúc tần Ấn Độ (lúc này) vẫn còn khá cũn cỡn nhưng rồi đây sẽ phủ xanh những hành lang rất "tình", rất đẹp.

Bay Resort Hoi An có một tầm nhìn về phía Phố Cổ không thể đẹp hơn. Khi tôi đặt bút viết USPs cho khu nghỉ dưỡng, cái "view" vàng này là một trong những thứ đầu tiên tôi hí hoáy đưa lên giấy. Từ hồ bơi của khu nghỉ dưỡng, nhìn về phía ốc đảo của Hoi An Night Market, hoàng hôn lúc nào cũng tô đỏ bầu trời. Trong một mẩu quảng cáo báo giấy, tôi tự tin sử dụng câu tagline "Nơi ngắm hoàng hôn đẹp nhất Miền Di Sản". Ở cái hồ bơi với gió sông lồng lộng thổi đó, chúng ta có thể thả diều, ăn kem cắt từ chiếc xe gỗ với tiếng chuông leng keng của khu nghỉ dưỡng, đọc thật chậm The Quiet American, hay với gọi một bạn barterder phục vụ cho mình ly cocktail "Rừng dừa bảy mẫu".

Bay Resort Hoi An rất đẹp. Cứ giương máy lên là chúng ta có hình đẹp. Và đôi khi cái sự đẹp này đưa tôi rơi vào thế khó xử. "Sao ông cứ làm thiết kế cho Hội An đẹp vậy?", trước câu hỏi của đồng nghiệp, tôi chỉ biết cười trừ. Tôi đâu cố tình làm nên cái đẹp này, mọi thứ ở đây diễn ra hết sức tự nhiên, như nó vốn phải thế. Người đi nhiều như nhiếp ảnh gia Đỗ Sỹ còn không tiếc lời khen cho khu nghỉ dưỡng kia mà.

Trái với vẻ hoài cổ bên ngoài, phòng khách ở Bay Resort Hoi An rất xinh xắn, lịch thiệp. Hai cái villa đúng nghĩa "biệt thự", vì tụi nó "bự thiệt" và dịch vụ kèm theo thì miễn bàn. Bạn có thể nằm lười xem Netflix, thi thoảng ngó bâng quơ ra khoảng sân đầy nắng và mảnh sông Thu Bồn, nơi tiếng tàu gỗ phành phạch vang lên mỗi chiều nắng dội. Khi làm phim quảng cáo cho Bay Resort Hoi An, tôi nghĩ nhiều đến phim L'Amant (1992), với nhiều cảnh quay trên dòng Mekong.

Dân copywriter thường sử dụng "Best of both worlds" để chỉ những thứ pha trộn sự tốt đẹp của hai điều khác nhau, lắm khi tương phản. Ở Bay Resort Hoi An, bạn có thể tận hưởng trọn vẹn sự huyên náo của Phố Cổ (chỉ cách resort 5 phút đi bộ) lẫn những phút giây thanh bình trong khu nghỉ dưỡng. Nếu đây không là "Best of both worlds", tôi chẳng biết điều gì mới là ví dụ cho phải lẽ.

Giờ thì tôi phải tạm biệt nơi đã cho mình nhiều lưu luyến. Sẽ nhớ mãi món pasta với xốt quế tây, bông atisô, ô liu và ớt của chef Huy Phạm. Và công việc dang dở "promote" chef Huy vươn đến vị thế tương xứng, tôi xin nhường lại cho người khác. Đành tạm biệt anh EAM lừng danh Brian Nguyên một thời gian. Không còn những giờ tha thẩn ở Breathe Spa, trò chuyện với khách Âu khách Hàn. Sẽ nhớ những buổi cà phê vội với người đàn ông có gương mặt khá cau có, nhưng nhiệt huyết công việc thì có thừa: anh Trung M&S. Chocolate chị Thúy cho ăn thử hình như ngon hơn ngoài tiệm. Tôi vẫn không hiểu sao Hưng Quy có thể làm việc với những con số trong phong thái điềm đạm như vậy. Vi hát hay như Lệ Quyên. Dàn lễ tân tài năng bắn tiếng Anh tiếng Trung như thể sắp tham gia "presidential debate" đến nơi. Đội F&B lúc nào cũng hồ hởi thăm hỏi khi tôi uống cà phê muối. Chị Tina với bầu năng lượng khủng khiếp. Đội Sales uy tín dạn dày kinh nghiệm và cái phòng làm việc dưới hầm bao giờ cũng tạo ra một không khí khẩn trương, nghiêm túc. Chị Lệ quản lý nhân viên bằng "tình thương". Chị Sương chỉ cười một nụ là chiều hôm đó bookings đổ về như... sung rụng. Chị Phương với tấm lòng "cơm bưng nước rót" vào mỗi giờ trưa. Anh Trịnh hát giọng còn trầm hơn Xuân Hảo... (Xin đừng phiền lòng nếu tôi thiếu sót, quên cảm ơn một anh chị nào đã cùng làm nên phần đời này...)

Vì quá hiểu nghề, anh chị em Bay Resort Hoi An đạt đến cảnh giới mới trong công việc, họ làm cùng nhau ăn ý như thể Scholes chuyền cho Ryan Giggs mà không cần nhìn. Họ làm ung dung (trông là vậy!) nhưng hiệu quả thì vượt trội.

Những buổi chiều tà và hoa trong vườn mãi "nhiệt tình" khoe sắc. Cầu Cẩm Nam. Cô bán nước. Nắng xuyên qua các ô họa tiết vẽ lên tường những hình thù Đông Dương. Con gà trống nhà hàng xóm. Ông khách Úc bị chó cắn. Sự cố nửa đêm trên Naver. Những bữa trưa trong chợ Hội An. Tiệc liên hoan cuối năm... Thật vui vì tất cả giờ này trở thành những kỷ niệm đẹp.

Tôi viết thế này khi giới thiệu về Bay Resort Hoi An: "Bay Resort Hoi An is like a train, carrying you back to the prime era of the historic port town of Hoi An, brimming with memories." (Bay Resort Hoi An là một chuyến tàu, chở chúng ta về thời hoàng kim của Phố Hội) Chuyến tàu ấy đã lăn bánh rồi, nó sẽ trôi về quá vãng để nhường chỗ cho những chuyến tàu tươi mới hơn, chở khách về phía trước. Sự thay đổi là tất yếu nhưng chúng, dĩ nhiên, cũng sẽ mang đến những nuối tiếc không tên.

Sau này, nếu có ngày trở lại, tôi hình dung mình sẽ tần ngần một hồi lâu bên cổng resort, hít một hơi thật sâu, trước khi bước vào để đón nhận những sự đổi mới ngay tại nơi mình từng gọi là nhà.

Đà Nẵng, 22.03.2024

[sun-e-chips]

You’re relaxing in the resort room before heading into the park:)

[theyilinglaozus]

"'I also feel hunger and sadness. I'm human too.' All these years, the Yuheng Elder had always endured silently. No one liked him, no one kept him company, and he always feigned nonchalance as he walked through the crowds, lofty and composed. Only with his mind tinged by childish thoughts could he finally break down and speak the truth, let out the misery that had built up within himself for so long. It wasn't that he didn't care for those around him, only that he did so quietly. Such quietude, day after day, without anyone else to see or notice it, was also a kind of torment."

Luo Yunxi as Chu Wanning → The Husky and his White Cat Shizun

[jupiterovprsten]

Palm Royale Resort Soma Bay, Hurghada, Egypt

[laurenovercalifornia]

[life-spire]

@ Євгенія Височина

See more like this.

[pretty-little-fools]

[downfalldestiny]

Fireworks is the city 🎇🎆 !.

[disneyremnants]

Next time you visit Dok Ondar's Den of Antiquities at Disneyland, keep an eye out for a crystalline model that resembles the buildings found in the concept art for Discovery Bay! The proposed land for Discovery Bay is now being utilized by Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge!

[the64thfloor]

JAMAICA 2023 DUMP

[rabbitcruiser]

National Learn To Swim Day

Teach your kids to swim, or sign up for lessons yourself. It’s good  for your health, and may save your life or the life of another from  drowning someday.

Maybe humans can’t fly like birds (yet!), but that doesn’t mean that  walking is the only we can get around—with just a little patience and a  little work, we can learn to swim like fish, too. Of course, you could  live without ever knowing how to swim, but who would want to?

Swimming offers so many benefits that it’s impossible to say that  your life would be just as good without it—it builds muscle strength and  endurance, improves circulation, helps maintain a healthy weight,  alleviates stress and improves both coordination and flexibility, to  name but a few.

Not to mention that knowing how to swim can easily save your life or allow you a person to save someone’s life! Learn to Swim Day  was created to encourage people all over the world who don’t know how  to swim, regardless of age, to finally acquire this incredibly  beneficial skill or simply improve on their existing skills.

National Learn To Swim Day is observed every year on the third  Saturday of May and is dedicated to educating children and adults about  the importance of learning to swim and general water safety. National  Learn To Swim Day is held before the start of summer, to ensure that  anyone who cannot swim prior to summer is encouraged to learn, making  for a safer summer of water fun.

While swimming is an activity enjoyed by people of all ages  throughout the year, summer is the time when there is the most risk of  drowning, with an increasing number of people taking to lakes, rivers,  and swimming pools to cool off in the heat. Because there are a number  of risks involved in swimming – and accidentally falling into the water  or getting out of your depth – learning to swim from a young age is  vital.

History of Learn to Swim Day

This little holiday was created in 2012 by ‘Swimways’, now known as  ‘Teach Me To Swim’. Its main goal was to provide the opportunity to  raise awareness about the importance of water safety as well as teach  both children and adults how to swim.

At first, it was just a small event, but soon people began to realize  just how important it was to have such a day, especially during the  month when many swimming pools open for the summer all over the U.S.A.

Soon, corporations such as Target and Toys”R”Us joined Swimways in  celebrating this day by offering promotions on swimwear and learn to  swim items, as well as helping to raise awareness about Learn to Swim  Day. Nowadays, it seems that more people take part every year, resulting  in thousands of people finally mastering this extremely useful skill.

Raising awareness about water safety

National Learn To Swim Day is the ideal opportunity to raise  awareness about the crucial importance of being able to swim and being  confident in and around water, particularly for young children. Learning  to swim is an invaluable life skill that could, one day, save a child’s  life, which is why raising awareness about learning to swim is so  vital.

Did you know that drowning is the second leading cause of accidental  death in children from one to 14-years-old? That’s why it is so  important that children of all ages learn to swim, hence the need for  National Learn To Swim Day and the importance of raising awareness  around this crucial health and safety topic.

Learning to swim can be a lot of fun, and can be practiced at any  age. There are classes for swimming designed for children as young as a  few weeks old that teach young babies and toddlers how to turn over into  the water onto their backs, should they accidentally fall into water  and are unable to get out, effectively saving their own lives.

As well as basic swimming lessons for children of all ages, there are  also a number of advanced swimming classes that are designed to improve  children’s swimming skills and increase their confidence.

There are also swimming classes designed to teach children and  teenagers vital lifeguarding and lifesaving skills, so should they ever  need to help another swimmer who is in trouble in the water, they are  able to do so in a safe and confident way.

How to celebrate Learn to Swim Day

As you may well have guessed, the best way to celebrate Learn to Swim  day would be to learn to swim. It is estimated that about half of all  Americans can’t swim, so if you happen to be a part of this group, this  day is the perfect time to change your life for the better!

National Learn To Swim Day is all about encouraging people to learn  how to swim and to ensure that from a young age children are encouraged  to learn how to swim. National Learn To Swim Day also encourages parents  to book swimming lessons for their children, to help boost their water  confidence and ensure that they properly understand water safety and how  dangerous water can be.

Many swimming lesson companies offer deals and discounts as part of  the National Learn To Swim Day celebrations, encouraging parents to  enroll their children in classes that could one day save their lives.

Don’t be shy, no matter how old you are, there and millions of other  people your age who can’t swim, either. So get a bathing suit you feel  comfortable in, and make your way down to your nearest pool, and take a  few lessons. Learning the basics of swimming is generally considered  quite easy for most people.

If you don’t want to take a class from an instructor, you could  always ask a friend or relative who swims well to teach you. However, it  is extremely important to exercise caution at all times, and take your  time practicing in shallow, relatively still water for quite some time  before venturing out into less safe territory.

And even when you do learn to swim well enough to feel comfortable in  the water, you should never take unnecessary risks, like swimming in  areas not monitored by lifeguards, disregarding warning signs, swimming  under the influence of alcohol, or diving without first checking the  water is at least 9-10 feet deep. You could also host a pool party or  make a deal with your children that you will find the time to go  swimming together at least once a week.

Source

[sun-e-chips]

Early morning at Waterspark Bay concept art

[darlinhutchence]

📸: derektaitauthor on twitter, taken at the kondari resort, hervey bay in australia circa 1990

[zaktours]

Discover the Enchantment of Hurghada: A Jewel by the Red Sea

Nestled on the stunning coast of the Red Sea, Hurghada is a paradise that beckons travelers with its turquoise waters, vibrant coral reefs, and an array of unforgettable experiences. A perfect blend of relaxation and adventure, this Egyptian city has evolved from a serene fishing village into a bustling hub of tourism, offering a myriad of activities for every type of traveler. Let's dive into what makes Hurghada a must-visit destination for your next vacation.

Unparalleled Diving and Snorkeling Adventures

Hurghada is a haven for underwater enthusiasts. Home to some of the world's most exquisite coral reefs and marine life, the city is a hotspot for diving and snorkeling. Whether you're a seasoned diver or a beginner, the crystal-clear waters of the Red Sea provide the perfect backdrop for exploring vibrant coral gardens and enchanting underwater landscapes. Popular sites like the Giftun Islands and Abu Ramada Island offer mesmerizing views of colorful fish, turtles, and even dolphins, making every dive a unique experience.

Luxurious Beach Resorts and Waterfront Relaxation

For those seeking relaxation, Hurghada's luxury resorts offer world-class amenities with breathtaking sea views. From private sandy beaches to infinity pools, spa treatments, and gourmet dining, visitors can indulge in unparalleled comfort and serenity. Resorts in areas like Sahl Hasheesh and Makadi Bay are renowned for their exquisite services, providing an oasis of tranquility away from the bustling city life.

Thrilling Desert Safaris and Cultural Tours

Adventure enthusiasts will find no shortage of excitement in Hurghada. The city's surrounding desert is a playground for thrilling activities such as quad biking, camel riding, and Jeep safaris. Exploring the vast desert landscape, with its majestic mountains and bedouin villages, offers a glimpse into the heart of Egypt's natural beauty and ancient culture. For a deeper dive into history, day trips to the iconic cities of Luxor and Cairo reveal the wonders of ancient Egypt, from the Valley of the Kings to the Great Pyramids.

A Culinary Journey Through Egyptian Delicacies

Hurghada's dining scene is as diverse as its landscapes. Visitors can savor traditional Egyptian dishes, fresh seafood, and international cuisine at various restaurants and cafes. The marina and downtown areas are bustling with culinary hotspots where you can enjoy mouthwatering koshari, succulent grilled seafood, and rich Arabic coffee. Dining by the waterfront, with views of the Red Sea, adds a magical touch to every meal.

Vibrant Nightlife and Entertainment

As the sun sets, Hurghada transforms into a vibrant nightlife hub. The city's bars, clubs, and beach parties come alive with music, dance, and entertainment. From laid-back beach bars to electrifying nightclubs featuring international DJs, there's something for everyone to enjoy. The Marina Boulevard is a popular spot for evening strolls, shopping, and experiencing the lively local atmosphere.

Eco-Tourism and Conservation Efforts

In recent years, Hurghada has embraced eco-tourism, with initiatives aimed at preserving its natural wonders and promoting sustainable tourism practices. Visitors can participate in coral reef conservation projects, eco-friendly diving expeditions, and educational tours that highlight the importance of environmental preservation.

Plan Your Visit to Hurghada

Whether you're an adventure seeker, a history enthusiast, or simply in need of a peaceful getaway, Hurghada offers a slice of paradise with something for every traveler. With its stunning landscapes, rich culture, and vibrant atmosphere, Hurghada promises an unforgettable vacation experience by the Red Sea. Start planning your journey to this Egyptian treasure and discover the magic of Hurghada for yourself.

[laurenovercalifornia]

[incompleteguide]

nicest beaches we know

we did a review of dune: part two as our main article for the substack, so as a thematic spin-off we made a list of the nicest beaches we know (because we’ve been there):

1. stormalong bay at disney’s beach and yacht club resorts, walt disney world (united states)

a lot of people traditionally picture beaches as the sandy (or pebbly) spots where you spend time outside of the water. if you’ve clicked the link above, you’ve obviously seen that stormalong bay is categorised as a swimming pool. however, and it’s a big however, this swimming pool feels like a miniature water park - including a beach that transitions into the more lively elements, like a waterfall pool. still, the fact that you can feel the sand under your toes keeps you feeling beachy.

2. kamari’s “black” beach, santorini (greece)

kamari has much to offer - its historic dig site hosts what assassin’s creed: odyssey would like to tell us is home to atlantis, for instance. its black beach is better for folks who have less time. sure, the sand isn’t legitimately black (the only time we’ve ever seen that was in sri lanka, after the 2004 tsunami, so not a great memory). but it’s eye-catching, and this beach is a peaceful place in the off-season. visit between november and april for low crowds, but also few amenities.

3. preethipura beach, wattala (sri lanka)

colombo itself doesn’t have the best location for beaches - galle face and its adjacent “beach park” are far too urbanised and inauthentic to qualify for this list. drive out to wattala though, and you get more of a view. colombo’s skyscrapers grace the horizon, but the soft sand underneath feels more than just a couple of miles away. by now the genuinely black sands of the christmas day tsunami have washed away, leaving crystal clear water hugging the pristine beige shoreline.

4. hengistbury head, dorset (united kingdom)

about two miles east of bournemouth, is christchurch, a beautiful little town, which has marshes and a river mouth that connects to hengistbury head, a far superior beach to what bournemouth can offer. it takes nearly an hour to traverse its mile of undisturbed smooth sands and dunes. Its most easterly point offers ferry access to mudeford harbour. it’s the most quintessentially english spot, but shockingly desirable, with some of the beach huts, which have no amenities, available for weekly rent of up to £600 a week. if you’re going to visit, you’ll find it you can do it as a day visit or stay a few towns in land much cheaper (my childhood association with the area was down to us having a caravan). worth the view of its cliff sides full of nature reserves though!

5. seven mile beach, grand cayman

there isn’t a whole lot of culture to dig into on grand cayman, the largest of the cayman islands. its beaches though? they are spectacular. the caribbean has truly earned its reputation for white, fine sand and turquoise, yet transparent water. seven mile beach is walkable, providing several hours worth of beachcombing entertainment, and you can easily swim, or depart on a snorkelling adventure from there. avoid hurricane season, and ensure you have some kind of shade alongside sunscreen for protection.