Author Archives: Jaina W

About Jaina W

I am a 2nd grade teacher living in Queens, NY. I enjoy reading, eating out, and traveling.

Places To Visit With No Covid-19 Cases

Posted by Jaina W

While a majority of the world is dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic there are still a small number of places to visit with no covid-19 cases. This is largely due to several reasons.  One reason for Covid not being present in these places is that most of these locations are islands. Having the luxury of not sharing borders with any other place makes it much easier for these locations to control who comes in and who goes out. Another factor in the no covid cases for these places is that they have downright close their borders by not allowing entry. Most of these locations have ban flight and cruise ships from leaving and entering.

It is important to note that most of these places are fairly small in area and population. Social distancing and wearing of masks have also been strictly enforced. These locations have also gone under complete lockdown to prevent this disease from reaching them. Another added bonus that most of these places are not densely populated, this makes transmission of Covid-19 far less. Let’s take a look at some of these Covid free destinations.

Tuvalu

Location: located in the South Pacific Ocean

Population: Approx. 11, 500

Size: 289,500 sq mi

Palau

Location: Western Pacific Ocean

Population: Approx. 18, 000

Size: 177.2 sq. mil

Tonga

Location: South Pacific Ocean

Population: Approx. 103, 000

Size: 288.8 sq. mi

Nauru

Location: Southwesten Micronesia

Population: Approx. 12, 700

Size: 8.108 sq. mi

Federated States of Micronesia

Location: Western Pacific Ocean

Population: Approx. 112, 600

Size: 271 sq. mi

Kiribati

Location: Central Pacific Ocean

Population: Approx. 115, 800

Size: 313.1 sq. mi

Samoa

Location: Polynesia

Population: Approx. 196, 100

Size: 1093 sq. mi

Turkmenistan

Location: Central Asia

Population: Approx. 5.85 million

Size: 189, 657 sq. mi

Cook Islands

Location: South Pacific Ocean

Population: Approx. 17, 600

Size: 91.39 sq. mi

North Korea

Location: Eastern Asia

Population: 25.55 million

Size: 46, 541 sq. mi

 

There are still places to visit with no covid cases out there!  What are your thoughts? If borders open up, would you want to take a vacation to one of these places?

Dyker Heights Holiday Lights

Posted by Jaina W

Dyker Heights is a neighborhood in the southwest corner of Brooklyn in New York City. It is a residential community with a population of approximately 42,000 residents. Each holiday season, Dyker heights puts on one of the most spectacular displays of lights found in the county. Many homes are dazzled from top to bottom with lights, ornaments, Christmas trees, statues and even live carolers. Many homes in the area have been featured on the ABC TV show “The Great Light Fight.”

When: After Thanksgiving to New Years Eve between dusk to 9 pm.

Where: 11th- 13th Avenue (Dyker Heights Blvd) 83-86 street, Dyker Heights Brooklyn NY

Directions: Train (D train to 79th Street) and (R train to 86th street), both will require a 10-15 minutes walk. You can also drive, however, keep in mind that parking is nearly impossible especially on weekends.

Tours: Here are some popular tours. Click here and here.

 

Must See Homes:
  • Lucy Spata House (1152 84th Street) – The original house to start the Dyker Heights lights tradition
  • Community Mayor’s Home (8312 12th Avenue) – Famous for their large collection of blow-up holiday characters.
  • Forest of Lights (1134 83rd Street) – Trees decked out with lights making an actual forest of lights!

 

Self Guided Tour: Follow the walking guide below

Map of Dyker Heights
Grab a Snack:
Full Sit Down Meals:
  • B&A Pork Store (13th Avenue) is, per its name, a store and market, but the atmosphere is worth not being able to sit and eat, and you can certainly find sufficient ready-made food stuffs to constitute a full meal
  • Meze (6601 13th Avenue), come because you like Greek food, stay for the flaming cheese
  • Mama Rao (6408 11th Avenue) is a tried and true Italian restaurant. It’s white tablecloth, so prices can be a bit high
  • Yemen Cafe (7130 5th Avenue) has another location in Brooklyn Heights
  • East Harbor Seafood Palace (714 65th Street) is great dim sum, but like all great dim sum.
Grab a Drink:
  • Tryst Lounge is within walking distance of the lights, for those getting there by public transit or their feet
  • Homestretch (214 Kings Highway) in Bay Ridge will give you a properly grimy experience
  • The Lock Yard (9221 5th Avenue), also in neighboring Bay Ridge, has good eats in addition to a well curated drinks menu.
  • The Purple Rose(97217 8th Avenue) is located in Dyker Heights proper. There is a pool table!
  • Indigo Murphy’s (7102 Fort Hamilton Parkway) is a local pub and sports bar.
Reminders/Tips:
  • Be respectful to others and displays- these people literally dedicate their lives to these homes each year.
  • Take lots of pictures but wait your turn.
  • Give donations whenever possible, it is what keeps these lights on each year.
  • You will be walking a lot, wear comfy shoes and dress warm.
  • If you are bringing kids with strollers, be mindful that it gets very packed and crowded.
  • If you are driving, be patient. There will be bumper to bumper traffic.
  • Go on weekdays to avoid crowds.
  • Have fun creating memories.

Let us know if you visit Dyker Heights, we would love to hear about your experience. Happy Holidays!