M2 Travel B OSTON S UNDAY G LOBE MAY 11, 2008 Destinations night life

Encounter The domino effect Surrounded by Panama jungle dark- ness, Vicente settles at a roadside table and urges a just-met teammate to follow his lead in a game of dominoes. Rain beats on a metal roof. Vicente’s hands shuffle quickly across the flower- print plastic tablecloth. Trucks grind up Route 4 toward the Continental Divide. Vicente says, ‘‘I used to own a canti- na.’’ He cackles and calculates which tiles two opponents are holding. A grandson spins nearby. Vicente plays his domi- noes so that his novice teammate can go out first to win. Vicente reaches for a high five. ‘‘Compañero!’’ He tells his opponents about the strategy: ‘‘I committed suicide. For him.’’ TOM HAINES

Globe-trotting notes from our blog Delta lounge closing Hemmed in by surging fuel costs, JAN BAUER/ASSOCIATED PRESS/FILE Delta Air Lines is cutting back on perks A stream of DJs on flatbed trucks will take over a national highway in Germany during this year’s Loveparade. it has offered to passengers even before they stepped onto the plane. The airline is closing nine of its 42 members-only airport lounges, including its main one at Boston’s Logan International Airport. The Crown Room Club located between You can feel the love at this parade Gates 6 and 7 in Terminal A will shut down Thursday, although the smaller satellite lounge between Gates 17 and JULY 19 JULY 3-6 in the French countryside, Crows. O2wirelessfestival 18 will remain open. DORTMUND, GERMANY QUINCY, CALIF. headlined by John Schneider (!) .co.uk, ticketmaster.co.uk. Tick- NICOLE C. WONG Loveparade: In recent years, the reliability of this annual cavalcade High Sierra : no less. ‘‘The Dukes of Hazzard’’ ets are $88 for each day. of thumping dance music, exhibitionism, and good will has been For those brave souls who are may have been known as ‘‘Shé- Day-trip car rentals spotty at best. There has been bickering among organizers, problems not afraid of tie-dye T-shirts, rif, fais-moi peur’’ in France, but PLAN AHEAD securing permits, and a general lull in the rave culture that initially drumming circles, and healing apparently, the down-home ap- AUG. 29-31 Hertz, which has offices in Western helped turn the Loveparade into an international draw when it was crystals, this festival offers an peal was not lost in translation. STRADBALLY, IRELAND Europe, has announced that it will start first introduced in 1989. Fortunately, it appears that the parade is opportunity to enter the pa- The festival embraces Ameri- Electric Picnic 2008: A camp- renting for periods shorter than a day. coming back to life. This year the endless stream of DJs on flatbed tchouli-scented universe of cana and includes a truck show, ing festival on a 600-year-old The new Hertz 369 program will let you trucks is out of Berlin and taking over a national highway. It’s the bands such as Bob Weir and car show, country dancing, and Irish estate with an incredible rent for three or six hours for day trips, first time in German history that a highway has been closed for a cul- RatDog, Gov’t Mule, Michael the dreaded Miss and Mr. Coun- musical lineup that features or nine hours for overnights. It’s no tural event. The lineup of DJs has yet to be announced, but artists in Franti and Spearhead, Mike try competition. Mon Dieu. Bjork, the Sex Pistols, Sigur mistake that Hertz is doing this a little previous years have included Paul van Dyk and Chris Liebing. The Gordon, and Railroad Earth. country-musique.com. A five- Rós, Goldfrapp, Wilco, and Tin- over a month after car-sharing pioneer event finishes in front of the Westfalenhallen where nearly a million Plumas-Sierra Country Fair- day pass, with access to all 73 dersticks. There’s also comedy Zipcar announced it was setting its dance music fans will gather. The event is free, but save that leftover grounds, 204 Fairground Road, concerts, is $170. and theater. electricpicnic.ie, sights on Europe. cash for sunscreen and water. 510-547-1992, highsierramusic ticketmaster.ie, $370 for a week- PAUL MAKISHIMA loveparade.com, 011-49-30-2000-423-33. .com, $157 for a four-day festi- JULY 3-6 end pass. val pass. LONDON CHRISTOPHER MUTHER Fuel surcharges rise JULY 4-6 from , , Ma- O2 Wireless Festival: Hyde ry J. Blige, , and JULY 10-14 Park is taken over by top-shelf Two of the three biggest US carriers Essence Music Festival: The L.L. Cool J. Louisiana Super- MIRANDE, FRANCE acts including Beyoncé’s possi- Events are sometimes canceled, again raised fuel surcharges on many weekend-long Essence Music dome, Sugar Bowl Drive, 800- Festival de Country Music: ble new husband, Jay-Z, Amy rescheduled, or sold out; call or domestic routes by $20 round trip. The Festival in the Superdome is the 488-5252, essence.com/essence/ There is something wonderfully Winehouse producer Mark check online to confirm. Contact Associated Press reported that the latest summer’s biggest urban and emf, $56-$110. ironic about a festival of Ameri- Ronson, plus Morrissey, Beck, Christopher Muther at muther increases by Delta and American bring hip-hop music event, with sets can country music taking place Fatboy Slim, and Counting @globe.com. the total for these fees to as much as $130 round trip on many flights. That means passengers who scored cheap flights could be paying more in fees and Where they went Rave taxes than for the airfare. For Delta, it is st. lucia the second time the carrier has raised fees in just over a week. Last time, rivals WHO: Gene Hunt, 52, twin peaks, called the quickly piled on and there’s no reason to and Carla Ramos, 51, Pitons, and nearby believe they won’t this time. of North Andover. Sulphur Springs, site PAUL MAKISHIMA WHERE: St. Lucia. of the world’s only drive-in volcano. WHEN: 10 days in De- ‘‘There are bubbles NEWS, DEALS, DISPATCHES cember and January. Boston.com/travel/blog is and all this gas es- where to go no matter where you WHY: ‘‘We’d never capes,’’ Ramos said. want to go. gone away as a couple ‘‘It’s got a really horri- for the holidays and ble smell.’’ They this year we thought stopped at Fond Doux we’d be a little selfish, Estate, a working co- Gearing up as our children are coa, banana, and cit- grown,’’ Ramos said. rus plantation. ‘‘Being away New OUT AND ABOUT: The Year’s was a highlight couple enjoyed the because you could be large marketplace at outside and enjoy it.’’ Castries, which was NAME GAME: ‘‘We’ve crowded with tourists. Carla Ramos met local children at traveled extensively ‘‘It’s the big port of call NECEE REGIS FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE but this was our first Derek Walcott Square in Castries. for cruise lines,’’ Hunt trip to the Caribbean,’’ said. They mingled Hunt said. ‘‘I just got out a map, and we start- with locals later in the week at the regular Fri- ing naming the islands. St. Lucia just kind of day night Jump Up street party in Gros Islet. Kiln-fired memories of Nevis resonated. We liked that it was formerly Brit- SPECIAL DELIVERY: As for Christmas in the NEVIS, West Indies — The im- orful collection of one-of-a-kind, ish and that Creole was spoken there, as we Caribbean, ‘‘I can tell you it’s the only time like languages. A lot of my information came pulse to purchase a souvenir on a hand-painted bowls, platters, vases, JOBY Santa has visited me on water skis,’’ Ramos tropical island vacation is a com- lamps, decorative tiles, and more. from TripAdvisor.’’ As it turned out, most of said. ‘‘In the afternoon they told everyone to mon one, though it does not always All these white stoneware objects their fellow tourists were British. go to the beach and sure enough he skied in have the effect one wishes. Witness are safe for food and can be put in A tripod with grip MILESTONE INCLUDED: The couple, also cele- and right onto the beach on his skis with gifts the glut of monkey key chains, par- the microwave and dishwasher. This compact tripod allows your brating the 30th anniversary of their meet- for everyone.’’ In the background were Christ- rot earrings, and palm tree mugs at The imagery on each piece re- camera to balance on narrow, uneven ing, stayed at the Rendezvous Resort in Cas- mas carols performed by a steel-drum band. yard sales all over New England. flects the island environment: palm surfaces or cling to tree branches, light tries, the capital. ‘‘We’d never done an ‘‘Around 10 we all went out and sat on the However, if you’re vacationing in trees, hibiscus flowers, sugar mills, posts and other slim poles, so that you all-inclusive trip, but we both really wanted beach and watched fire eaters and perform- this part of the Federation of St. hummingbirds, island cottages, can capture sharper images as you to relax and not have to deal with anything. ers doing the limbo under bars on fire,’’ Hunt Kitts and Nevis, you’ll find terrific pineapples, monkeys, coral reefs, travel. The Gorillapod by Joby has This was all-adult and geared toward cou- said. ‘‘At midnight it seemed like every resort mementos of your Caribbean so- and fish. Your suntan may fade, but prehensile legs with flexible joints and ples,’’ Ramos said. ‘‘It was one of the most ro- was shooting off fireworks. They kept trying journ at Bocane Ceramics and Gift this pottery will keep its bright col- rubber rings that allow them to easily mantic trips we’ve had,’’ Hunt added. to outdo each other.’’ Studio. ors, and probably not wind up at a bend and grip, and rubber, knobby feet DIANE DANIEL ACID AND AZURE: ‘‘The water was so beauti- Artist and businesswoman Che- summer yard sale. that keep them secure even on rough or ful — clean and clear and that color you see ryl Liburd moved her studio to Ne- slanting ground. The tripod is priced on a commercial,’’ Ramos said. They snor- SEE WHERE THEY WENT vis in 1997 and opened this shop to Bocane Ceramics and Gift Stu- from $22.95 to $49.95, and is available keled at a marine park and Hunt took photos For more photos and to share yours, showcase her ceramics. The expan- dio, Main Street, Stoney Grove, at REI (800-426-4840, rei.com), or galore using a waterproof case for his point- visit boston.com/wheretheywent. Send sive and sunny store, on the main Nevis, W.I., 869-469-5437, bocane online at joby.com. and-shoot digital camera. An excursion your suggestions within two weeks of road that circles this small island, is ceramics.com. KARI J. BODNARCHUK through the resort took them to the island’s your return to [email protected]. the perfect place to display her col- NECEE REGIS

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