Middle East Battles For Rights To Angry Birds Theme Park

by Libby Zay on

Angry Birds theme parks have already taken off in Finland, Singapore and the United Kingdom, and now three cities in the Middle East are competing for the rights to build another video game-themed park in the region.

According to CNN, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Doha are each trying to stake a claim on what is expected to be the biggest Angry Birds-themed park in the world. With more than 1.7 billion downloads, the video game is one of the most popular smartphone apps of all time – and a theme park like this would be particularly marketable in the Middle East, where a fifth of all downloads are made.

Of course, Angry Birds Land is just one project proposed in the Middle East, a region that is ripe for theme park development projects. CCN reports that Abu Dhabi has expressed interest in a Michael Jackson-themed resort that would be adjacent to Ferrari World, the largest indoor amusement park in the world that is home to the world’s fastest roller coaster.

What Will Twitter Do With The Local Discovery App It Just Acquired?

by Libby Zay on

Twitter just acquired Spindle, a mobile app billed as a “news feed for your neighborhood” that aggregates social media updates from nearby restaurants, stores, event venues, museums and more, the Boston Globe reports.

Founded by three former employees of Microsoft, Spindle is a favorite tool for travelers looking for on-the-ground information on what’s happening nearby, particularly in cities they are just getting to know. After acquiring Spindle on Wednesday, Twitter has already shut down the service – a tactic the social media giant has previously employed as it absorbs start-up companies.

Although Twitter has yet to release an official statement on its intent, it looks like the company will use Spindle’s technology and talent to launch some sort of local discovery function of its own. We’ll just have to sit tight and see whether that will be an added function within Twitter, or a completely new platform.

[via Skift]

Miami Airport To Test Passenger Self-Boarding

by Libby Zay on

Miami International Airport has plans to test a self-boarding system that would cut out airline gate agents and, hopefully, make the boarding process flow better, Skift reports.

Maurice Jenkins, the airport’s director of information services and telecommunications, tells the news outlet the airport already has the equipment it needs to get the process started, and will soon roll out tests with several airlines. He also mentioned the airport is looking at testing self-service kiosks in customs, but that would be further down the pipeline.

According to the Star Tribune, at least 17 airlines across Europe and Asia already use self-boarding machines, and several U.S. carriers are testing the devices. The process is simple: an automated turnstile allows fliers to scan their own boarding passes at the gate before passing onto the plane. Although this essentially means travelers can bypass all interaction with airline employees until the point they step onto an aircraft, it doesn’t mean passengers will get to skip any form of security, so everyone who uses the system will have already passed inspection.

We all know how bad people can be at forming a line at the airport, so we’re curious to see this implemented. My only question is, who will police the size of our carry-on bags now?

Ever Wonder What It’s Like To Ride The Subway With Doors Open? (VIDEO)

by Libby Zay on

If you think subway shutdowns due to malfunctions are bothersome, this video might make you reconsider. When the doors on a train in St. Petersburg, Russia, were stuck open, the conductor decided to just keep chugging along to the next station.

At first passengers look scared, but soon they get curious and start sticking their heads out the doors to have a look. The cameraman does it, too, placing his camera dangerously close to the side of the tunnel. Luckily, this happened when the train was nearly empty, and it appears nobody was hurt (in fact, it looks like the open doors created a nice breeze along the way). Should it have gone down during rush hour, however, this might have been a completely different story.

[via Grist]

Exploring Normandy, France: The Harbor Town Of Saint-Vaast-La-Hougue

by Anna Brones on

The land of Calvados, Pont l’Evêque cheese and World War II history, Normandy, France, is one of those places that manages to pack almost everything into one region. Coastline, farmland, history, culture, food – in a trip to Normandy you can get it all.

Well known for some of its larger cities and the World War II beaches like Utah and Omaha, an often forgotten gem of Normandy is Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue, a small fishing village just east of Cherbourg. A tiny village in the off-season, during the warmer months it explodes with French and Brits descending upon their vacation homes. Which makes late spring or early fall the perfect time to explore: the weather is nice and the streets are quiet.The first harbor to be freed by the Allied Forces in 1944, the village is also home to the La Hougue Fort and Tatihou, part of 12 groups of fortified buildings across France that have UNESCO World Heritage classification. Built by King Louis XIV’s famed engineer Sebastian le Prestre de Vauban, the Vauban fortifications include citadels, urban bastion walls and bastion towers. In Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue you’ll find one just east of town and the other on the island of Tatihou, both built after naval Battle of La Hougue saw twelve French ships sunk in the surrounding waters. Go to La Hougue Fort early in the morning and have the place to yourself, the waves crashing on the rock wall that surrounds the fort and, if you’re up for it, an excellent promenade.

In town you’ll find the infamous Maison Gosselin, a family-owned store that’s been in operation since 1889. It’s still set up like a classic store – you take your produce to be weighed before you pay for it – and it’s complete with regional products like Sel Guerande sea salt and plenty of options for Calvados. In fact the wine cellar almost seems bigger than the store itself. Foodie heaven.

From here you are a short drive to the WWII beaches, Utah Beach and the Utah Beach Museum being the closest. Omaha Beach, which houses the Normandy American Cemetery is just a little further east.

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When in Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue:

Eat:

Le Pub le Creperie – Owned by an ex-Parisian named Philippe, this is the place to go for good crepes. You can also get the traditional serving of moules frites (mussels and fries). Be sure to accompany with the rose. 36 rue de Verrue.

Oysters – One out of four oysters in France come from Normandy, and Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue is a hub of oyster production. You can visit a local oyster production complete with a tasting at Ets Lejeune.

Shop:

Snag a classic striped mariniere French sailor shirt. Check out local boutique Cap Saint Vaast Marine (12 rue de Verrue) for the classic brand St. James. While you’re at it, stick to the maritime theme and pick up a few jars of flavored sea salts at Maison Gosselin.

Do:

Get up early and check out the La Hougue Fort; you’ll have it to yourself and the fortified walls are beautiful in the early morning light.

Go to Ile Tatihou. The island is limited to 500 people per day so make sure to book a time on the local ferry that shuttles visitors to the island.

Get outside. In the summer Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue is a hub of activity, from cycling to sailing.