Remember way back to this post when we looked at the blank world map together and I promised to educate myself about our world, while dragging you all along with me? Well, here we are. My first lesson.
Anyone been to the Isle of Man? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?
[See that? I’m shying away from this educational post already by a feeble attempt to stray to Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, where I can tell you about how I wanted to be Sloane Peterson so badly in 1986 that it practically hurt, and how I thought Ferris was the coolest person ever, and how I cheered when Cameron trashed his dad’s car but now that I’m a grown-up and a parent I realize how horrifying that is, and I would tell you about Principal Rooney and Charlie Sheen and Jennifer Grey. But I will refrain… because I’m a Blogger With A Cause today. That Cause being to spread the word about our world.]
Thanks for your patience while I temporarily visited my comfort zone. I’m back. Where were we? Oh right! The Isle of Man.
Now, it’s very possible that I am the dumbest person on earth for not knowing of this Isle’s existence. Apologies if my ignorance offends. I came across the Isle of Man by way of a quick Google search on “interesting unknown countries.” Immediately upon seeing its name, I thought of a lovely island full of beautiful men–perhaps an entire population of Magic Mikes. Not quite the case, but fascinating nonetheless.
Since I recently snubbed Downton Abbey, I thought that perhaps raving about the IOM would help me smooth things over with my UK friends, since the IOM is located in the Irish Sea, between Great Britain and Ireland, south of Scotland. I never noticed that little dot on the map. Check it out:
(http://www.vacationstogo.com/images/ports/maps/901_w.gif)
The Isle of Man has been inhabited for a super long time–since before 6500 B.C. It is self-governing and independent, but the United Kingdom is responsible for its defense and representation in international forums. This beautiful Isle is 32 miles long and at its widest, 14 miles wide, and is home to over 80,000 people. More than a quarter of these people live in the capital, Douglas. The Isle’s weather is extremely pleasant, with summers in the 50 to 60 degree range, and winters in the 30 to 40 degree range.
If that doesn’t sound lovely enough, the IOM website lists the following “Highlighted Events”: Walking Festival (“rediscover the pleasure of walking”), International Darts Festival (three days of championship-quality darts), TT Triathlon (long course consists of 2.4 mile swim, 26.2 mile marathon, and 114 mile bike ride), Bowls Festival (the pictures of the Crown Green Bowling Festival show men kneeling in the grass and rolling little black balls- way smaller than our typical bowling balls), and Hockey Festival (field hockey accompanied by what appears to be a giant party). That’s a whole lot of Festivals!
Naturally beautiful and historically rich, the IOM is home to castles and a railway and a wildlife park. It’s internationally renowned for its Basking Shark sightings. What else, you wonder?
Well . . .
Explore Celtic crosses and Viking burial grounds! Participate in a “ghost walk” around the most historic and haunted places on the Isle! Golf at one of nine courses in this “golfer’s paradise”! Be one of hundreds of mountain bikers who visit each year to cycle through the lovely countryside! Theaters, shopping, horseback riding– you name what you want to do, and the Isle of Man provides. Here are some pictures.
I don’t know about you folks, but I think the Isle of Man sounds awesomesauce! Our world ROCKS!
Thanks for reading and have a nice weekend.
[Sources: http://www.visitisleofman.com; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isle_of_Man%5D.
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