Search for Air France 447 to resume

by Kraig Becker on

French air accident investigators announced yesterday that search teams will return to a remote region of the Atlantic to resume the search for Air France Flight 447 in early 2011. Officials from the airline and the investigative agency recently met with families of the passengers on board that flight, who urged them to continue the search for the missing plane. Those families have lingering questions about what happened to their loved ones and why the plane went down under mysterious circumstances.

On June 1st, 2009, Flight 447 took off from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on a trip to Paris, France. While crossing the Atlantic Ocean, the Airbus A330-200 encountered stormy weather and was never heard from again. There were 228 passengers on board at the time of the crash. The planes two flight recorders have never been recovered and little wreckage was ever found either.

This will be the fourth search team sent to the region where the plane is believed to have gone down. Previous searches have garnered few results in part because of the remote nature of the crash site. It will take two to four days by ship just to get to the location where the plane is believed to have gone down. Past searches have been hampered by underwater mountains, deep trenches, and thousands of miles of ocean.

The search is scheduled to resume in February of next year with investigators hoping to not only discover the wreckage, but also solve the mystery of why the plane crashed in the first place.

[Photo credit: Pawel Kierzkowski via WikiMedia]

Photo of the Day (8.19.10)

by Meg Nesterov on

“Clang, clang, clang went the trolley,” sang Judy Garland in Meet Me in St. Louis, giving the most charming mode of transportation its own theme song. Except this trolley isn’t in St. Louis or even San Francisco, it’s in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, part of the oldest operating tram system in South America. Whether you call it a tram, a trolley, a streetcar, or a cable car, this Flickr photo by AlexSven captures the old-timey fun (also, suspenders are the most charming way to hold up pants). Nowadays, trolleys are making a comeback, with new or extended routes planned for many cities in the United States including St. Louis, Memphis, New Orleans, and Little Rock. Kennebunkport, Maine is even home to a trolley museum.

Find a fun way to get around on your travels? Upload your pix to the Gadling Flickr pool and it might be featured as a future Photo of the Day.

The ten best cities for sunbathing

by Gadling Staff on

After you’ve been cooped-up inside all winter, that first day of nice weather at home feels like a gift from heaven. Clothes come off, frisbees start flying and the hardcore sunbathing begins. Even if it’s still cold where you live, the prospect of warmer days ahead looms large. In preparation for the endless days of spring and summer, here’s ten of our favorite spots for sunbathing around the world. Grab yourself a towel and some sunscreen and check it out.

10. Barcelona, Spain
Barceloneta Beach is ideally located at the water’s edge in Barcelona with fantastic restaurant and nightclub options at the nearby boardwalk. While the cleanliness of the sand has been an object of controversy in recent years, Barceloneta cannot be matched for its proximity to the many urban options that Barcelona affords. When you tire of the Mediterranean sun, there is Las Ramblas, La Sagrada Familia, Montjuic, Park Guell, and the smattering of architectural tributes to Gaudi.9. Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles offers a wide variety of beaches, from gritty Venice Beach to trendy, hip Malibu. For the best sunbathing, Zuma Beach in Malibu is the destination. A city surrounded by beach options, Zuma is one of the largest and most popular options in Los Angeles County; known for its long, wide stretches of sand and excellent surf. It consistently ranks among the healthiest beaches for clean water conditions in Los Angeles County. Grab a red one-piece and imagine yourself in a Baywatch episode.

8. New York, New York (tie)
Manhattanites know about Carl Schurz Park. This 15 acre parkland on the Upper East Side boasts a waterfront promenade built over FDR Drive. Sunbathing options abound with winding, shady paths, green lawns, waterfront views, a large playground for children, and two dog runs. Bring a towel and picnic basket, plug in your iPod to Astrud Gilberto and imagine you’re on Copacabana Beach.

8. Punta del Este, Uruguay (tie)
South Americans looking for an escape retreat to Punta del Este, an upscale resort town invaded by wealthy denizens of Buenos Aires and Montevideo from early November until late February. With a heady ancestral mix of Spanish and Italian descendants, this Southern Hemisphere destination is perfect for those seeking the “endless summer.” Punta has scenic coasts and beaches with the Rio de la Plata on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. All beaches on the peninsula have public access. Sunbathers have the option of choosing quiet and calm areas to others with strong waves and the requisite surfers, all with fine white or golden sand.

7. Bondi Beach, Sydney
Located 20 minutes from central Sydney, Bondi (pronounced “Bond-Eye”) is the quintessential beach abounding with sun, sand, and sensuality You’d be hard-pressed to find more heavenly bodies than on this half-mile stretch of paradise. Bondi is replete with a wide range of food, entertainment and accommodation options nearby. Here you’ll find fantastic waves, sunbathing models, year-round sun and the coolest beach-side vibe anywhere. And if you really want to blend in and look like an Australian, take a surfing class. Lets Go Surfing, conveniently located in Bondi, is one of the most professional surf schools in Australia.

6. Boston, Massachusetts
Boston is certainly not a beach, and not anywhere near a very good beach. However, the banks of the Charles River come alive (and shirts begin to peel off) the moment mercury rises above 68. With a population of 1 in 6 attending any one of the many institutions of higher learning, this hip town has a great deal of young eye candy to enjoy without wandering too far from the dignified boundaries of Beacon Hill or the Back Bay. The Esplanade has miles of jogging and rollerblade trails, and an abundance of manicured lawns to enjoy your choice of literature from Isabel Allende to Emile Zola. After the sun sets, you may be lucky to enjoy a concert at the Hatch Shell.

5. Miami South Beach, Florida
It wasn’t long ago that South Beach was nothing more than a tawdry, tacky strip of forgotten beach land. South Beach has experienced resurgence in the past 20 years to become one of the “hippest” beach destinations in the US. The famous strip affords more miles of undulating sand and perfectly sculpted bodies than seems mortally possible. Beautiful bodies can be found on the beaches, but more so in the hotel pools that line the coast. At the end of the day, head inland a few blocks to the stylish clubs, restaurants and shopping along Lincoln Road, Washington Avenue and Ocean Drive.

4. Paris, France
Though not anywhere near a beach, Paris tops our list of “urban” sunbathing options. In 2002, Paris introduced “Paris Plage,” (Paris Beach), a free summer event that transforms the banks of the Seine River into 3 distinct districts. Those in search of a “traditional” beach (as “traditional” as one might find in a city of 3 million) should head between the Pont Neuf and Pont de Sully bridges. With classic French panache, this location features sand and grass beaches, parasols and chaise lounges–all free! Even the obligatory Le Hot Dog is served in French fashion–stuffed inside a baguette.

Near Pompidou Center, the area takes on a tropical flair, while in the northern reaches of La Vilette boating and water sport options abound. When the sun sets, enjoy many of free concerts offered throughout the season. Considering Paris already has nearly everything a visitor could want, we can now add the “Best City for Sunbathing” to the list.

3. Honolulu, Hawaii
With Diamond Head as an impressive background, the beach at Waikiki is a slice of Hawaiian heaven, offering great weather, good restaurants, and a two-mile stretch of fantastic, sandy beaches. Though Waikiki can be particularly costly (parking and food) and overrun with tourists, nearby Kuhio Beach Park is a quieter, more affordable option. The warm, clear, shallow waters cannot be beat. You may be fortunate to be present during the many events the beach hosts throughout the year, including surf competitions, hula dancing, outrigger canoe racing and outdoor performances. Don’t be tempted to lift one of the grass skirts to see if there’s some sort of vibrating mechanism underneath. These movements should not be attempted at home unless a chiropractor is nearby.

2. San Diego, California
In San Diego, the beach is a way of life, a source of pride and a defining influence in people’s lives. San Diego comes in a strong second due to the sheer number of beaches that run the length of an entire county, from its northern extremity at Oceanside to its southern border with Mexico. Additionally, with 365 days of perfectly balanced sunshine per year, San Diego can’t be beat. La Jolla, an affluent neighborhood with several stunning beaches, tranquil coves and foamy surf, is ideal for families.

Heading north, the exclusive communities of Del Mar, Solana Beach and Leucadia have dramatic coastlines and vistas. Film buffs will recognize the Hotel del Coronado from “Some Like It Hot” on Coronado Island. Your sunbathing may (or may not be) interrupted by troops jogging by as the San Diego Naval Base is situated nearby. When the sun sets, the many activities and pleasures of San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, Mission Bay, and Sea World are at your doorstep.

1. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rio’s Ipanema Beach has long been considered one of the Sexiest Beaches in the World, Combining the very best any city has to offer with great restaurants, fashionable clubs, and world-class museums, the beach at Ipanema tops our list. Brash with Brazilian style, Ipanema sways to its own captivating rhythm. Somehow I must have gotten by the sensors on the beach which magically prevents anyone from entering with more than a single-digit body fat index. With bravado, the young, fit and beautiful Brazilians hold court one of the most enticing sunbathing destinations on earth.

Carnival in Rio: Joining the throng in the grand finale

by Gadling Staff on

One of the world’s biggest and best-known celebrations wrapped up this week in Rio with record temperatures (soaring to 106 Fahrenheit on Tuesday!) as the mayhem of Carnival slowly came to an end. Over 700,000 visitors came to the city (including a few celebrities like Madonna, Beyonce and Paris Hilton) to join in the five nights of street parties, open-air concerts, costume balls and brilliant parades taking place in the custom-built Sambadrome.

Local officials estimate some 2.5 million feted Carnival in Rio, and this year the city made efforts to bring more orderliness to the often chaotic celebration, adopting the motto “choque de ordem” (the shock of order). Only licensed vendors were allowed to sell beer and other drinks at street parties, and the city installed some 4000 portable toilets around Rio in an effort — largely successful — to combat the rivers of urine that sometimes accompany the 20,000-strong block parties (the city also took a tough stance on revelers who chose to relieve themselves outside of these chemical bathrooms, arresting over 300 this year). It was Rio’s first Carnival since winning the bid to host the 2016 Olympics, and the city seemed determined to prove that it could properly manage such massive gatherings.

On Friday, as I spoke with longtime residents of Rio, Cariocas seemed torn over the best way to celebrate Carnival. Some adored the celebrations, the pageantry of the samba school parades, the gathering of friends old and new at democratic street parties and the donning of costumes for a bit of fun around town. Others detested the crowds and packed beaches, the noise and drunkenness on the streets, and preferred to flee town for more peaceful getaways, like the idyllic coastline near Angra dos Reis to Rio’s west or to the beaches of Buzios to the east.

One family I visited was evenly divided over Carnival. The father and his 12-year-old son were using the holiday to travel north to the cooler mountainous retreat around Teresopolis. As the two packed for an early morning departure, the mom and her teenage daughter, plus a few other family friends, were giddily making costumes for the Banda de Ipanema block party the next day, one of many fests they planned to attend over the next four days. The whole group of them would soon transform themselves into members of French King Louis the Sixteenth’s court, complete with ‘corsets’ (air-brushed form-fitting t-shirts) and ‘powdered wigs’ (sanitary pads pasted onto a foam base that was made of strips of insulation staple-gunned together).

For many Cariocas, the Sambadrome, where the magnificent all-night parades take place, is the focal point of Carnival. Here, Rio’s best escolas de samba (not ‘schools’ per se, but competitive groups of 3000 to 5000, with enormous drum sections, fantastical costumes and huge mechanized floats) would parade before a crowd of 70,000, with millions more watching on TV. Having attended the parade in years past, I decided to take part this year, joining the ranks of Caprichosos de Pilares, a former top school that fell into the second division in 2006 following a lackluster performance. (Anyone who wants can join a samba school and take part in the parade. You simply have to learn the school’s theme song for the year and buy a costume, which runs anywhere from US$150 to US$500.)

This year, Caprichosos pulled out all the stops and revived one of their favorite samba-enredos, the 1985 “E por falar em Saudade,” which took a nostalgic look at the past when days were better in Brazil. The song also challenged the military dictatorship of the time, calling for direct elections and an end to inflation. Like most schools, the costumes were a mix of over-the-top designs–including lunging foam dragons, brightly plumed tropical birds and giant bowls of bean soup. Ten of us gathered at a friend’s place before the parade and we had in our group several cowboys, a gypsy, two pirates, a nurse, a jester, a pair of 1920s flapper girls and even a floral-print-wearing tourist. We joined umbrella-toting clowns, soccer players wearing the colors from Rio’s four soccer clubs, gas station attendants (with fabric gas nozzles attached to their hips) and pink-suited samba stars in our shimmy down “the avenue” (as the 700-meter-long stretch through the Sambadrome is sometimes called).

We danced and did our best with the song lyrics as we paraded through the stadium behind a float packed with bikini-clad samba dancers (the “bunda,” or “bottom,” is something of an icon in Rio’s Carnival, and figured in many floats and even some theme songs, our school notwithstanding). It was an adrenaline rush dancing through an arena of cheering crowds — some of whom waved Caprichosos flags and knew the words to our samba-enredo better than us (indeed, among true escola de samba aficionados, Caprichosos’ 1985 samba-enredo was famous).

Depending on where you sit (and tickets cost anywhere from US$20 to over US$500), watching the parade can be an exhilarating experience, particularly if you get a chance to see some of the top schools perform. This year’s winner (announced on Wednesday) was Unidos da Tijuca, which pulled its first grand prize ever in the school’s 74-year history. The school’s theme was “It’s a Secret,” which conjured images from the great mysteries, myths and legends of history, including Greek temples, Egyptian pyramids and a lush “Hanging Gardens of Babylon” packed with 5000 plants. Just for fun, there was also a heel-kicking Michael Jackson look-alike and a mini ski slope which “Batman” skied down to roaring crowds.

Those that missed seeing Unidos da Tijuca during Carnival still have one last chance to see them again — along with the five runners-up — this Saturday in the parade of champions. Meanwhile, most street parties have come to an end, though there is one last big Carnival gathering this Sunday. In the center of town, Monobloco will bring tens of thousands of revelers back out on the streets for one last adieu to the party that won’t return until 2011.

Read Part 2 of this series, “Rio’s Big Fest: Carnival Hits the Streets.”

Read Part 1 of this series, “Rio’s Big Fest: Behind the Scenes of Brazil’s Famous Fest.”