AJ Hackett celebrates 25 years of bungy jumping in New Zealand

AJ Hackett Bungy will celebrate 25 years of bungy in spectacular style with 25 days of events, promotions and competitions culminating in a ‘not-to-be-missed’ party on Nov. 12.

As the official ‘World Home of Bungy’, Queenstown’s historic Kawarau Bridge will be the focus of celebrations.

Over the 25 years more than three million people have bungy jumped at AJ Hackett Bungy sites around the world. Celebrity visits to the four New Zealand sites include Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, Jack Black and Tiger Woods.

AJ Hackett Bungy co-founder and director Henry van Asch said he was “overwhelmed and incredibly proud” to see the company reach the quarter of a century milestone.

“For 25 years AJ Hackett Bungy has encouraged people to step outside their comfort zone, balancing the perceived risk of jumping, swinging and now zipping from a great height, with the most stringent of safety measures,” he said.

“Bungy’s an iconic ‘must-do’ adventure activity and we look forward to welcoming people for many more years to come.”

People can follow celebrations on the AJ Hackett Bungy Facebook page and are encouraged to use the #25yearsofbungy hashtag on social media sites.

Outrigger Reef to celebrate Oktoberfest from Oct. 17-19

Bringing a taste of Munich to Waikiki, Outrigger Reef on the Beach will host its first-ever Oktoberfest event this October 17 to 19 – welcoming guests and locals alike to come enjoy traditional Bavarian food and festivities.

Guido Ulmann, the German-Swiss executive chef from the Outrigger Reef on the Beach,will be expertly preparing all of the traditional dishes associated with Oktoberfest.

“I love how food enables diners to visit another culture, without hopping on a plane,” says Chef Ulmann. “Oktoberfest at the Outrigger Reef provides a fresh opportunity for our guests to enjoy the flavors of Europe and merriment of the Oktoberfest traditions, right here on the shores of Waikiki.”

In the spirit of Oktoberfest, The Edelweiss Trio will be performing traditional German music, dressed in authentic Bavarian dirndl and lederhosen. The Edelweiss Trio has become a staple Oktoberfest performers having performed in Honolulu for more than 35 years, bringing their particular brand of oom-pah to the islands.

Kids get into San Diego museums for free in October

San Diego Museum Council invites kids to explore San Diego’s diverse museums – for Free! From October 1 – 31, children ages 12 and under receive free admission with a paid adult (limit 2) at close to 40 museums – Visit them all! Just download the coupon at the San Diego Museum Council link below.

Explore the hidden treasures of the ocean or the far reaches of outer space. Delve into local history, visual arts, botanical gardens, architectural treasure in San Diego.

A popular program for three years, Kids Free in October is presented by Time Warner Cable with support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the San Diego Commission for Arts & Culture.

A sample of participating museums include:

LAN raffles off airline tickets on Sept. 21 at The Grove

 On Sept. 21, LAN Airlines, part of LATAM Airlines Group, South America’s largest airline group and PromPeru, the country’s official tourism board, will bring an authentic Peruvian town square experience to The Grove in Los Angeles. Visitors to the event will be able to discover the unique and exciting travel experiences that can be found only in Peru.

Visitors will have the opportunity to enter to win hourly airline ticket raffles with one round-trip ticket in Economy class from Los Angeles to Lima being raffled at 12 p.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. A grand prize of two tickets to Lima on LAN’s award-winning Premium Business Class will be raffled off at 6 p.m. 

The event will also feature dance performances from Raices Peruanas, Peruvian themed treats and beverages and an interactive photo booth that allows visitors to discover the hidden treasures of Peru via green screen and share on their Facebook or Twitter pages.

LAN Airlines offers 13 flights per week from LAX to Lima and connecting flights to 14 destinations within Peru.

Seas the Day at Four Points by Sheraton Ventura Harbor

Come celebrate Ventura Harbor’s 50th anniversary with a relaxing “Seas The Day Stay & Play” midweek, Sunday through Thursday, priced at $109 per night, or a two night minimum escape (double occupancy) on Friday and Saturday for $119 a night at Four Points by Sheraton Ventura Harbor Resort.

The package can be booked directly through the resort’s reservations department by calling 805- 658-1212 x1290 (Package Code 4239).

Portland offers bike and brew tour

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Traveloregon.com offers this interesting trip suggestion:

“When it comes to bikes and beer, Portland is the land of plenty. More than 50 breweries within city limits make beers of every style, from classic Northwest IPAs to barrel aged barley wines and oyster stouts. The bike scene is equally vibrant. Bike lanes are crowded with commuters no matter the season, and cyclo-cross races draw thousands of bikers and spectators each fall.

“Beer and bike cultures naturally overlap, and not just because beer tastes great after a long ride. Exploring the city’s beer scene through pedal power is an unforgettable experience. Not only can you indulge in two of Portland’s greatest passions, you’ll enjoy hassle-free parking and the smell of fresh beer brewing as you ride through the city.

“This bike-and-beer tour focuses on east-side beer destinations. However, it’s not an invitation to get drunk and ride a bike; you don’t have to quaff a pint at every spot. Mix it up by sharing tasting trays with friends and ordering food instead of beer at some locations. Please drink and ride responsibly.”

Celebrate cider week in state of Washington

The Northwest Cider Association will hold a 10-day celebration of craft cider from Sept. 5-15 throughout the state of Washington. With more than 90 activities planned, cider enthusiasts can easily participate in the third annual Washington Cider Week.

Nationally, cider holds the title for the fastest-growing segment of the beverage market. Washington has embraced its state fruit as several regional cideries have earned awards for their traditional and unusual flavors of cider.

Tickets to the events are free but space is limited, reservations for some events are strongly encouraged. A schedule of the week’s events can be found at nwcider.com.