Niagara Falls' Maid of the Mist may soon come to an end

One of the largest tourist draws in Niagara Falls may not be open this year because the Maid of the Mist Steamboat Company has lost the contract to operate boats in the Niagara Gorge after 165 years.

Maid of the Mist-Photo courtesy of Reuters

The Niagara Parks Commission announced Wednesday it had awarded a 30-year land-lease agreement for boat tour operations in the Niagara Gorge to Hornblower Canada, a California-based company.

"This is a great day for the Niagara Parks Commission and a great day for the tourism industry in Niagara and across Ontario," chair Janice Thomson said in a release.

However, the Hornblower service isn't scheduled to begin until the spring of 2014 and the Maid of the Mist company isn't sure it can stay in business for this summer's tourist season.

Larnaca, a Taste of Cypriot Culture

Cyprus is a small and beautiful island. 

In spite of its size, I have been coming back many times because I love this country and have good memories. My latest and 8th visit is very recent. 

On my 7th, my visit before last, the immigration officer asked, "I have noticed you'd been coming here quite often, what is the purpose of your frequent visits?"  

I learned to love your country, and the people, and am wanting to experience more of your hospitality.  

"Enjoy your stay!", he replied.

Larnaca Beach

I checked in with my family in a hotel called Lysithea as it was a very convenient place to stay being close to the Larnaca International Airport.

Mardi Gras is Big Business for Gulf Coast

Photo courtesy of The Associated Press

Mardi Gras. It brings to mind beads, parties and fancy floats in New Orleans as people cram in all the fun they can before Lent begins.

In reality, Mardi Gras has long been celebrated in coastal towns from Texas to Florida. And it means big business.

"It is more of a regional thing, Mardi Gras is, from Texas down to (the) Gasparilla
(pirate festival) down in the Tampa area," said Stephen Toomey, whose family started a chain of Mobile, Ala.-based Mardi Gras party supply stores.