JUST YOU AND YOUR BAY
While we continue to keep a tight hold on our comings and goings in SA, lovers of all things travel-related are no doubt keeping a keen eye on the rest of the world, particularly those places where tiny shoots of tourism are beginning to emerge. Of course, it’s early days for everyone and “tourism” now mostly means a visit to a local park or — joy! — a cappuccino in the sunshine at an actual café. We can’t help but quietly celebrate every clue to the freedoms to come, however strange these freedoms may look for now. Take, for instance, the Amsterdam restaurant that has installed little greenhouses in which guests can dine with their loved ones and still keep away from strangers. Or the restaurant in Schwerin, Germany, which celebrated its reopening this week by having customers wear hats topped with pool noodles, helicopter style, to help diners judge just how far away they are from everyone else.
Ever-innovative Germany has also launched a new concept at several venues across the country: auto-discos. These are drive-in raves, of course, with proper DJs and pyrotechnics, but the revellers (maximum two per vehicle) party in their cars. For health and safety’s sake, car windows have to remain shut, and the music is broadcast through their radios.
At the recently reopened Disneyland Shanghai, Mickey and Minnie et al are roaming the park and available for photo ops, but no hugging is allowed. Lines, of course, demarcate where people must queue for rides.
Our picture comes from a park in New York, which has painted white circles on the grass to help visitors enjoy some time outdoors and still stay the recommended “at least six feet [1.8m]” apart.
Domino Park is a 2ha, privately owned recreational area located along the East River in Williamsburg. It features fountains, a fog bridge, and courts for bocce and beach volleyball. It’s built on the site of the old Domino Sugar Refinery, which dates back to 1856. It was once the largest and most productive sugar refinery in the world, at one point producing up to 98% of the sugar consumed in the US.
New York’s parks have remained open throughout the quarantine period, though park-goers have been asked to take extra precautions to stay safe. Now, at least at Domino Park, that’s even easier with a little help from their circles of friends.
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To stand a chance of winning R500, tell us in which of New York’s five boroughs you will find Domino Park. E-mail travelquiz@sundaytimes.co.za before noon on May 26. Last week’s winner is Amaritha Bikramchund. The answer was Vietnam.