Powerhouse Journey Around The World (In 80 Days)

Sunday, June 1, 2014

Week 12 (Day 77): NEW YORK (USA)

NEW YORK CITY

RIO DE JANEIRO

Our Powerhouse Journey Around the World has reached its final destination. We have traveled 4,817 miles from Rio de Janeiro to New York City, USA.

New York is the most populous city in the United States and has been described as the cultural and financial capital of the world. It is also the home of the United Nations Headquarters. The city of New York spans an area of 468.9 square miles.

Capital City of the USA: Washington, DC Monetary Unit: US Dollar (USD)

Despite being the most populous city in the United States, New York is consistently ranked in the top ten safest cities in the US. However, with any city that welcomes millions of visitors each year, you should always be aware of swindlers and pickpockets, especially around the most popular tourist attractions.

Some of these popular attractions include Times Square, Statue of Liberty, Central Park and The Empire State Building.

Times Square

Times Square is famous for its huge digital billboards, with its bright lights. It is known as the hub of the Broadway Theater District, a major center of the world's entertainment industry. Times Square is the world's most visited tourist attraction that welcomes around 39 million visitors each year.

Statue of Liberty

Standing at 305 ft, The Statue of Liberty is the most recognized landmark of New York. The statue was designed by Frederic Bartholdi and was a gift from the people of France to the United States. The statue represents the Roman goddess of freedom, Libertas, and remains the universal symbol of freedom and democracy.

Central Park

Central Park is in the Manhattan area of New York City, and is the most visited urban park in the USA. The 843 acres park was opened in 1857, and welcomes around 37.5 million visitors each year. Central Park offers many things to do including, a walk through its gardens, ice-skating in the winter, catch and release fishing, and a visit to the Central Park Zoo and Wildlife Center.

Empire State Building

One of the most famous landmarks in the world, The Empire State Building is a 103-story skyscraper in Manhattan. With a height of 1,454 feet, it was the tallest building in the world for almost 40 years. You can experience stunning views of the skyline of New York City from its Observatory.

When visiting any of these tourist attractions, always use common sense to keep yourself safe. One particular scam is with strangers taking money from visitors, saying they have just been robbed, or left their wallet in their offices and need money to get home. Be aware that pickpockets and swindlers work in teams, with one causing a distraction, while the other pickpockets you. As always apply Powerhouse Self-Defense's rule of PROI: PREDICTION of misplaced situations, that is being aware of anything that appears out of context. RECOGNITION of potentially harmful behavior. OBSERVATION of your surroundings. Look for street signs and landmarks. Know exactly where you are at ALL times. INTUITION: Trust your gut and when in doubt, both feet out!

2012 NEW YORK CRIME STATISTICS (According to City-data.com)

Murders: 419
Rape: 1,162
Assaults: 31,211
Robberies: 20,201

EMERGENCY SERVICES NUMBER: 911

NEW YORK FUN FACTS:

1. New York City was the Capital City of the USA from 1789 to 1790.
2. Manhattan was originally known as New Amsterdam, which referred to the southern tip of Manhattan, a Dutch trading port.
3. Central Park is larger than the principality of Monaco.
4. The Federal Reserve Bank on Wall Street contains vaults that are 80 feet beneath the bank and holds about 25% of the world's gold bullion.
5. Approximately 790,000 companies operate in New York City.

OUR POWERHOUSE JOURNEY AROUND THE WORLD HAS COME TO AN END. WE HAVE CIRCUMNAVIATED THE WORLD WITHIN 80 DAYS AND HAVE TRAVELED 37,988 MILES. WE STARTED IN ATLANTA (USA) AND TRAVELED TO LOS ANGELES (USA), SYDNEY (AUSTRALIA), BANGKOK (THAILAND), ISTANBUL (TURKEY) COPENHAGEN (DENMARK), LONDON (ENGLAND), VENICE (ITALY), LAGOS (NIGERIA), CAPE TOWN (SOUTH AFRICA), RIO DE JANEIRO (BRAZIL) AND FINISHED IN NEW YORK (USA).

WE HOPE YOU HAVE ENJOYED THE JOURNEY! SEE YOU SOON! A TOUT A L'HEURE! VI SES SNART!

Jennifer Riis-Poulsen is the Founder & CEO and also a 2nd degree black belt, who formed Powerhouse Self-Defense as a response to the ever-increasing statistics on emotional and physical attacks on females each year. She made reducing these statistics a mission and personal goal and has set out to develop a comprehensive, HOLISTIC personal safety and empowerment program focused on awareness and powerful techniques to build courage and confidence. For more information visit http://powerhouseselfdefense.com

Saturday, May 17, 2014

Week 11 (Day 70): RIO DE JANEIRO (BRAZIL)

RIO DE JANEIRO

CAPE TOWN

Our Powerhouse Journey Around the World continues, though is close to its end. We have now travelled a distance of 3,764 miles from Cape Town, across the South Atlantic Ocean to Rio de Janeiro.

Rio de Janeiro, or Rio, is the second largest city of Brazil and is the third largest metropolitan area in South America. With a population of around 6.3 million people within the city, Rio spans an area of 1,760 sq miles.

Capital City of Brazil: Brasilia Monetary Unit: Brazilian Real (BRL)

Rio de Janeiro is one of the most visited cities in the southern hemisphere, and is known for its carnival celebrations. However, Brazil is one of the most criminalized countries of the world. The city of Rio has been rated 'critical' for crime over the past 25 years by the US Department of State.

The most life-threatening crime in Rio is either drug or alcohol related. Brazil is part of the international drug route and also a heavy importer of cocaine. Street robberies are extremely high with electronic of all kinds being specifically targeted.

Foreigners are a perfect target for robbery, especially those that do not speak Portuguese, as firstly foreigners do not usually file a report with the police, due to the complications and language barrier, and secondly, they are unlikely to return to testify against the perpetrator.

Some of the most popular places to visit in Rio and where you must take extra care are Christ the Redemmer, Sugarloaf Mountain, Maracana Stadium and Copacabana Beach.

Christ the Redeemer (Christo Redentor)

“Cristo Redentor” stands at 2,330 feet, with arms outstretched, gazing serenely out over the city of Rio. Though visitors can take a vertical cog train to reach the base of the summit, visitors to the monument once had to climb hundreds of steps to reach the top. Elevators and escalators are now available for this.

Sugarloaf Mountain

Sugarloaf Mountain rises 1,300 feet above the mouth of Guanabara Bay. It is made of quartz and granite, with visitors being able to take a glass-walled cable car known as a “bondinho" to the summit.

Maracana Stadium

With football (soccer) being the most important sport in Brazil, the Maracanã Stadium is one of Rio’s most important landmarks. The Stadium opened in 1950 and was able to hold nearly 200,000 people. However, due to safety reasons and seating for all fans, the capacity is now now 80,000. The Stadium has been partially rebuilt in preparation for the 2014 World Cup.

Copacabana Beach

Visitors, as well as locals called "Cariocas" can enjoy a stroll along the promenade that borders the 2.5 mile beach. At the end of the beach stands Fort Copacabana, which houses a wartime museum that is open to the public.

Rio de Janeiro will be hosting the 2016 Summer Olympics, which will be the first time a South American and Portuguese speaking nation hosts such a important world event. Additionally, the 2014 FIFA World Cup final will be held in the city. Therefore Rio de Janeiro will be swarming with foreigners. Foreigners that are likely to be victims of crimes. Another target are individuals withdrawing money from ATMs. Be cautious and use common sense at all times.. As always apply Powerhouse Self-Defense's rule of PROI: PREDICTION of misplaced situations, that is being aware of anything that appears out of context. RECOGNITION of potentially harmful behavior. OBSERVATION of your surroundings. Look for street signs and landmarks. Know exactly where you are at ALL times. INTUITION: Trust your gut and when in doubt, both feet out!

EMERGENCY SERVICES NUMBER: 190

RIO DE JANEIRO FUN FACTS:

1. Portuguese explorers discovered the island on January 1, 1502, hence the name Rio de Janeiro, meaning River of January.
2. Rio de Janeiro was the capital city of Brazil from 1763 to 1960, when it moved to the city of Brasilia.
3. Rio has the oldest operating electric tramway in the world called the Santa Teresa Tram.
4. Brazil's famous Samba music started in the neighborhoods of Rio de Janeiro.
5. Prostitution is legal in Rio de Janeiro.

OUR POWERHOUSE JOURNEY AROUND THE WORLD NEARS ITS END. WHERE WILL OUR FINAL DESTINATION BE NEXT WEEK?

Monday, May 12, 2014

Week 10 (Day 63): CAPE TOWN (SOUTH AFRICA)

LAGOS

CAPE TOWN

Our Powerhouse Journey Around the World continues. We have now travelled 2,955 miles from Lagos to the city of Cape Town in South Africa.

Cape Town is the second most populated city in South Africa, after Johannesburg. It is also the Legislative Capital of the country, with Pretoria as the Executive Capital and Bloemfontein as the Judicial Capital. Cape Town spans a metro area of 944 sq miles and has a population of 3,740,000.

Capital Cities of South Africa: Cape Town, Pretoria and Bloemfontein

Monetary Unit:South African Rand (ZAR)

Though Cape Town has been deemed one of the most beautiful cities in the world, it has also been ranked the most dangerous city in the world, outside of the Americas. Cape Town is rated 'critical' for crime.

Violent, confrontational crime, such as robberies, carjackings, street muggings and organized attacks, are a major concern in South Africa. In particularly, home invasions on Americans are a big problem. The South African Police Service crime statistics indicated a high rate of 7,039 home invasions in 2011.

Other prime targets are restaurants, jewelry shops, grocery stores and other business establishments, where there are large numbers of customers. It is always advisable not to resist a robbery so as to avoid any physical harm. Other crimes include 'smash and grab' robberies that occur at intersections and ramps leading off highways. It is always important to lock all doors of the car when driving and to keep valuables out of sight.

Some of the most popular places to visit in Cape Town are: Table Mountain, Cape Point, Cape Point Vineyards, Mariner's Wharf and Boulder's Beach Penguin Colony.

Table Mountain

Table Mountain is a magnificent and prominent landmark overlooking the city of Cape Town. It is known as Table Mountain because of its flat top that runs approximately 2 miles from side to side. Visitors can either use the cableway or hike to the top, where they will experience one of the most amazing views in Africa. The Mountain also forms part of the Table Mountain National Park.

Cape Point

Cape Point is located in the very southwestern tip of Africa. It is in the Cape of Good Hope section of Table Mountain National Park. It is a perfect place for hikers, cyclists, surfers and anglers.

Cape Point Vineyards

Cape Point Vineyards Estate has won many awards over the past eight years. An excellent place to enjoy some wine tasting while taking in the breathtaking views.

Mariner's Wharf

Mariner's Wharf oozes maritime ambience, with restaurants, shops and markets. It is a fabulous place where tourists find themselves rubbing shoulders with the famous.

Boulder's Beach Penguin Colony

Boulder's Beach is famous for its colony of Jackass Penguins. They are known as Jackass Penguins because of their donkey-like braying call. A great place to take a swim, though it is advisable not to feed or touch the Penguins.

Be aware that pickpocketing is very common, as is the case in most tourist areas.. Travelers should keep their passports, money and other valuables safe at all times. Be cautious and use common sense. As always apply Powerhouse Self-Defense's rule of PROI: PREDICTION of misplaced situations, that is being aware of anything that appears out of context. RECOGNITION of potentially harmful behavior. OBSERVATION of your surroundings. Look for street signs and landmarks. Know exactly where you are at ALL times. INTUITION: Trust your gut and when in doubt, both feet out!

EMERGENCY SERVICES NUMBER: 10111

CAPE TOWN FUN FACTS:

1. Cape Town was originally named as Cape of Storms by Bartholomeu Dias.

2. Afrikaans is the most widely spoken language in Cape Town and is the youngest official language.

3. There was a time when the whole of Cape Town's main road was made out of wooden blocks or tiles.

4. The average age of the population in Cape Town is 26 years old.

5. Dr Christiaan Barnard performed the first human heart transplant in the world in Cape Town in 1967.

OUR POWERHOUSE JOURNEY AROUND THE WORLD CONTINUES. WHERE WILL WE BE NEXT WEEK?

Monday, April 28, 2014

Week 9 (Day 56): LAGOS (NIGERIA)

VENICE

LAGOS

Our Powerhouse Journey Around the World continues. We have now travelled 4,050 miles from Venice to the city of Lagos in Nigeria.

Lagos is a Port and the most populated city in Nigeria. It was formerly the capital city of Nigeria. Lagos has become the fastest growing city in Africa, and the seventh in the world. With a city population of 21 million, Lagos spans an area of 51,820 sq miles.

Capital City of Nigeria: Abuja Monetary Unit: Nigerian Naira (NGN)

The main districts of Lagos are the Mainland, Greater Lagos and the Islands. Crime is a risk throughout Lagos. Visitors, as well as residents, have experienced armed muggings, assaults, rape and kidnappings. Due to widespread poverty, all tourists should take extra precautions when travelling in Lagos. The city has experienced violent clashes among street gangs known as "Area Boys'. These boys can be found hanging around at night time under bridges, and can easily spot tourists.

With Lagos being such a large, crowded city, you should always be aware of pickpockets. It is therefore advised to leave your bag and camera at home. Instead, wearing a money belt would be advisable. However, as always apply Powerhouse Self-Defense's rule of PROI: PREDICTION of misplaced situations, that is being aware of anything that appears out of context. RECOGNITION of potentially harmful behavior. OBSERVATION of your surroundings. Look for street signs and landmarks. Know exactly where you are at ALL times. INTUITION: Trust your gut and when in doubt, both feet out!

Some of the most popular places for tourists to visit are the National Museum, The Nigerian Conservation Foundation and Victoria Island Beach.

Nigerian National Museum

The Nigerian National Museum houses a collection of Nigerian art that includes pieces of statuary and carvings and archeological exhibits. The museum was founded in 1957 by the British Archeologist, Kenneth Murray.

Nigerian Conservation Foundation

The Nigerian Conservation Foundation is a non-profit organization that works to preserve the natural resources and biodiversity of Nigeria.

Victoria Island Beach

Victoria Island Beach is the most frequented beach in Lagos, with numerous activities and numerous bars and eating establishments.

It is advisable NOT to take photos when in Lagos. People are often offended by this, and you are likely to be yelled at, for not asking permission. It is prohibited to take photos of any official buildings.

GENERAL SAFETY IN NIGERIA

Expats become targets for criminals, as they are generally thought to be wealthy. Unfortunately, kidnapping of expats is very common, as the kidnappers would expect large ransoms from the international companies that the expats work for. Additionally, carjacking is common. It is therefore highly advisable to keep all doors and windows locked.

As corruption is prevalent in Nigeria, you cannot assume that law enforcement officers will protect you. Perpetrators see expats as easy targets and an easy way of getting money. It is very important to remember that if you are confronted with such a situation, to comply calmly!

EMERGENCY SERVICES NUMBER: 199

NIGERIA FUN FACTS:

1. Nigeria has over 250 ethnic groups.

2. Nigeria is one of the oldest locations of human existence, which dates back as far as 9000 BC.

3. Nigeria boasts the largest diversity of colorful creatures, such as butterflies.

4. Nigeria has the 10th largest proven reserves of petroleum worldwide.

5. The Nigerian Movie Industry is ranked the second largest producers of movies, just slightly behind Bollywood. The Nigerian Movie Industry is known as Nollywood.

OUR POWERHOUSE JOURNEY AROUND THE WORLD CONTINUES. WHERE WILL WE BE NEXT WEEK?

Monday, April 21, 2014

Week 8 (Day 49): VENICE (ITALY)

LONDON

VENICE

Our Powerhouse Journey Around the World continues. We have now travelled 943 miles from London and find ourselves in the beautiful city of Venice.

Venice is a city in northeastern Italy that is made up of a group of 118 small islands separated by canals and linked by bridges. The city spans an area of 160.1 sq miles and has a population of 270,843.

Capital City of Italy: Rome Monetary Unit: Euros (EUR)

The City of Venice (Venezia) welcomes around 50,000 tourists a day and is one of the most important tourist destinations in the world for its art and architecture. Venezia is a city of small islands with a maze of canals that thread through it with more than 400 bridges to allow for the flow of foot traffic.

For the most part, Venezia is considered one of the safest cities in Europe. Violent crime is quite rare, and unlike Rome, Italy's capital city, police are not that visible, even though Venezia is highly populated with tourists each year. Some of the most popular tourist attractions include The Grand Canal, Piazza San Marco, Saint Mark's Basilica, The Rialto Bridge and Vecchia Murano Glass Factory.

Grand Canal

The Grand Canal is one of the major water-traffic corridors in the city of Venezia. Public transport in the form of water buses and water taxis, is provided for commuting within the city. Many tourists enjoy exploring the canal by Gondola.

Piazza San Marco

Piazza San Marco is the main public square in Venezia. It is famous for its huge flock of pigeons that are drawn to the square by tourists ready to feed them. Napoleon once referred to Piazza San Marco as the drawing room of Europe.

St Mark's Basilica

St Mark's Basilica is Venezia's most famous Roman Catholic Cathedral Church. It is known as the 'Church of Gold' due to its opulence and its gold ground mosaics.

Rialto Bridge

The Rialto Bridge is the oldest bridge across the Grand Canal. It is the dividing line for the districts of San Marco and San Polo.

Murano Glass Factory

The Glass Factory is located on the Venetian Island of Murano. It has been known for its fancy glasswork for centuries. You can watch the glass blowers in action in the factory.

As Venezia is a highly popular tourist destination, caution and common sense should always be used. There is a certain amount of pickpocketing, so it is therefore always best to keep all your belongings in secure pockets and bags. As always apply Powerhouse Self-Defense's rule of PROI: PREDICTION of misplaced situations, that is being aware of anything that appears out of context. RECOGNITION of potentially harmful behavior. OBSERVATION of your surroundings. Look for street signs and landmarks. Know exactly where you are at ALL times. INTUITION: Trust your gut and when in doubt, both feet out!

VENICE CRIME

As previously mentioned, Venezia is one of Europe's safest cities, with very rare incidences of violent crime. However, an ongoing crime problem is the offer of counterfeit designer bags and belts sold by unlicensed street vendors. Unfortunately tourists tend to play right into this by purchasing knock-off items such as Prada or Louis Vuitton. However, it is not only sellers, but also the buyers of these goods that are subject to heavy fines. Venice has implemented a program called "Bad Bag" that warns tourists not to buy bags from street vendors. The local police are on the alert for these types of sales and if you are caught purchasing them, you may very well be taken to the police station.

EMERGENCY SERVICES NUMBER: 112

VENICE FUN FACTS:

1. Many famous people were born in Venice, including the Playwright, Giacomo Casanova, the Explorer, Marco Polo and Composer, Antonio Vivaldi.
2. Only 3-4 Gondolier Licenses are issued each year.
3. When at the markets, you should NEVER EVER touch the produce. You must tell the vendor what you want and they will give it to you.
4. Venice contains 7,000 chimneys, that come in 10 different styles and shapes.
5. Venice is sinking at the rate of 1-2 millimeters a year.

OUR POWERHOUSE JOURNEY AROUND THE WORLD CONTINUES. WHERE WILL WE BE NEXT WEEK?

Monday, April 14, 2014

Week 7 (Day 42): LONDON (ENGLAND)

COPENHAGEN

LONDON

Our Powerhouse Journey Around the World continues, and we are now half-way through our circumnavigation of the World. We have now travelled 772 miles from Copenhagen to our new destination of London, England.

London is the capital city of England and of the United Kingdom. It spans an area of 13,690 square miles. London had an official population of 8,308,369 in 2012, making it the most populous municipality in the European Union. There is a diverse range of peoples and cultures within this city, with more than 300 languages spoken.

Capital City of England: London Monetary Unit: British Pound (GBP)

Though London is a huge and busy city, it is considered relatively safe for the most part, though it is always best to take sensible precautions. As a tourist it is best to plan your route before you leave your hotel. Always keep your purse or wallet close to you and do not carry too much cash at any one time. Remember that cars drive on the left, so take extra care when crossing roads.

London is filled with many, many tourist attractions. Some of the most popular attractions are The London Eye, Tower of London, Madame Tussauds, The Natural History Museum and Buckingham Palace.

The London Eye

The London Eye has become a major feature of London’s skyline, and has the best views of more than 55 of London’s famous landmarks. The London Eye consists of 32 capsules , each weighing 10 tons and holding up to 25 people per capsule. The journey on this famous attraction takes 30 minutes.

The Tower of London

The Tower of London is one of the world’s most famous buildings. It has been a royal palace, a prison and place of execution, arsenal, jewel house, as well as a zoo. The Crown Jewels are housed in the Tower of London and guarded by the Yeoman Warders, otherwise known as the ‘Beefeaters’.

Madame Tussauds

Madame Tussauds is another major tourist attraction that displays waxworks of historical and royal figures. It also includes wax models of film and sports stars.

The Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum houses a collection of the biggest, tallest and rarest animals in the world. As well as an impressive dinosaur exhibition, it also boasts a life-sized blue whale and a 40-million-year-old spider!

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is the official London residence and the primary workplace of the British monarchy. The Palace is located in the City of Westminster.

London is divided into Boroughs, within which have neighborhoods. One of the less safe Boroughs is Southwark. West London is considered safer and more upmarket than East London. As always apply Powerhouse Self-Defense's rule of PROI: PREDICTION of misplaced situations, that is being aware of anything that appears out of context. RECOGNITION of potentially harmful behavior. OBSERVATION of your surroundings. Look for street signs and landmarks. Know exactly where you are at ALL times. INTUITION: Trust your gut and when in doubt, both feet out!

2012 LONDON CRIME STATISTICS (According to The London Police Service)

Homicide: 7

Abduction: 61

Assault: 1,943

Sexual Assault: 288

Robbery: 166

TOTAL CRIME: 2,465

EMERGENCY SERVICES NUMBER: 999 or 112

LONDON FUN FACTS:

1. For almost a century London was the most densely populated city on earth.

2. Hitler had a plan to dismantle Nelson's Column and display it in Berlin.

3. Covent Garden is a spelling mistake. The area used to be the market garden for a convent.

4. Waterloo Bridge was built mostly by women.

5. Until 1916, the famous Harrod's shop in Knightsbridge sold pure cocaine to the general public.

OUR POWERHOUSE JOURNEY AROUND THE WORLD CONTINUES. WHERE WILL WE BE NEXT WEEK?