Safe Travel Tips On Mean Streets
August 22, 2008
Safe Travel Tips On Mean Streets
by: Aimee C. Barnard
The best way to avoid any possible dangers during your travels is to keep your head about you at all times. Here are some travel tips to help keep any inconveniences at bay.
1) When it comes to belongings, your passport and your money are the most valuable possessions you have while traveling. Always know where they are wherever you are.
2) Always have a photocopy of your passport secure in a bag different from that which your passport is in. Should you lose your passport, you will at least have something to show.
3) Never get on a taxi ( or any other transportation for that matter except when you know the prices are fixed by law ) without asking how much you’re paying for the ride. Or insist on using the meter.
4) Always have passport size photos in your wallet. You’ll never know when you need them.
5) Invest in a quality money belt which is attached to your waist or hanging on your neck.. Make sure it’s not visible and that it’s strong.
Island Vacations In Africa’s Tropical Destinations
August 22, 2008
Island Vacations In Africa’s Tropical Destinations
by: Aimee C. Barnard
When it comes to island vacations, Africa is one great destination for some of the most luxurious hideaways.
This is no surprise. Blessed with pristine white sand beaches, private islands, and rich marine life, many resorts already have the perfect setting for great tropical island getaways.
If you want to stay in one of the most luxurious tropical resorts in Africa during your island holidays, you might be interested in checking out the following hotels which offer great amenities, romantic villas and suites, and 5 star world class service fit for the perfect island vacations.
St Anne Resort, Seychelles
St Anne Resort is luxury accommodation on its own island which is surrounded by a protected marine park. It is only about 15 minutes by boat from Mahe, the capital.
This tropical resort in the Indian ocean belongs to Beachcomber hotels which is one of the leading providers for luxury accommodation in Africa.
St Anne’s Resort has 87 villas set amidst tropical surroundings. It has its own private garden that leads to the beach and its own gazebo to lounge in and spend romantic evenings and days at. It is also well known for its exceptional Spa by Clarins.
Christmas Vacations On Tropical Islands
August 21, 2008
Christmas Vacations On Tropical Islands
by: Aimee C. Barnard
It’s 3 months before Christmas and if you want to get away from home during this holiday season, it’s time to make plans to ensure a stress-free Christmas vacation!
Some people may traditionally prefer to go where the snow is, where it’s freezing, and where Santa has no problems wearing ultra-thick clothes.
I recommend going where the sun shines the whole day, where you can frolic on white sand beaches and swim in the warm sea, where you can go shopping in exotic stores wearing only a pair of sandals and Bermuda shorts and a Hawaiian shirt.
Already excited? Well, read on and find out more about these 5 islands that you’re bound to want to visit during the Yuletide season.
Solitude In Fiji
Explore one of The Pacific’s beautiful and more popular islands, Fiji. Be right on a tropical island and not miss Christmas at all! You can easily go to Christmas-focused community activities if you really miss the yuletide season and experience Christmas with a Fijian twist. And if you really want to get away from it all, just go to the beach or laze in your very own bure ( thatched hut )
Bangkok Attractions - Places And Activities You Musn’t Miss
August 20, 2008
Bangkok Attractions - Places And Activities You Musn’t Miss
by: Aimee C. Barnard
Going to Bangkok for your holidays? Here are 10 must see Bangkok attractions and must do activities in the city of of angels.
1. Get on a river taxi and see the beauty of the Chao Praya River.
A very different view of Bangkok I’ve got to say. If you’re the adventurer, you can just jump on one at any of its terminals. Just be fast enough as the boats ( water taxis ) hardly stop. Otherwise, book a tour from one of the hotels by the river such as The Royal Orchid Sheraton, Shangri la or The Peninsula.
2. Rub elbows with the locals and tourists at the Weekend market, Chatuchak/Jatujak
It can get very hot in here but it’s an excellent place to see the wares of Thailand. You might even find a good buy along the way. Thai ( and not so Thai ) goods available from antique furniture to fake jeans.
3.See the wonders of the Grand Palace
All hail the Queen of England, but her Buckingham Palace is nothing compared to this glorious work of art in the middle of Bangkok.
A Tropical Island Vacation With Great Nightlife
August 19, 2008
A Tropical Island Vacation With Great Nightlife
by: Aimee C. Barnard
Some people might look for complete solitude during a tropical island vacation to get away from it all, but no matter how blissful beach holidays can be, some long for great night life as well.
For those of you who wish to go to an island where there are also some exciting night life activities, check out this list of 5 of the world’s top tropical destinations where you can sunbathe by day and party by night.
Ibiza, Spain
This is The Place to go for the best night life and party scenes. From its bars, to its clubs, to its fun-loving people, Ibiza has long been the world’s best destination for parties and more parties.
So what do you do in Ibiza? First, remember that there’s always something new going on. So know first what’s hot for the day or the week you’re visiting and make sure you make the best of any event in town.
If you’d rather not do this research and prefer to be spontaneous, then just go to any of its many clubs and you’re practically guaranteed a great night out.
Serengeti Safari - Memories of Miscommunications
August 18, 2008
Serengeti Safari - Memories of Miscommunications
by: Nola L. Kelsey
The scene before me could be matched nowhere else on earth. Parched yellow grass spread out before us as far as the eye could see - broken only by the occasional umbrella tree and a few hundred thousand migrating wildebeest forming a dusty, thin gray line on the horizon to the north. As the sun pounded down from overhead, heat vapors danced up from the ground. This was the Serengeti - a place with no equal!
Nine days earlier my six-year-old son, Jerry, and I had arrived in Arusha, a beautiful Tanzanian ‘metropolis’ and the main jumping off point for those wishing to book budget safaris. As with all visitors, the word of our arrival spread like wildfire. By dinner the first night, three of Arusha’s tour operators were courting us. By breakfast our journey was booked.
Two days later we were off. Nothing was left to chance. A jeep, driver, cook, tents, water (though I felt it best to bring my own) and park permits, were to be provided for us as part of our safari package.
WILDLIFE ABOUNDS
Affordable Homes: Real Estate in Nation’s 10 Most Cheap & Livable Metro Areas
August 17, 2008
Affordable Homes: Real Estate in Nation’s 10 Most Cheap & Livable Metro Areas
by: Monte Helme
The 10 most livable and most affordable real estate metro areas in the United States have a number of other favorable characteristics in common, according to a new HouseHunt “Current Real Estate Market Conditions” survey conducted by HouseHunt, Inc., a consumer-oriented Internet firm that provides free information to thousands of homeowners, home buyers and home sellers across the nation. The survey shows median home prices range from $130,100 to $194,400 for existing homes for sale and also found:
• The majority of the 10 metro areas report balanced, good-to-active housing markets with sellers usually getting 95% or more of their asking prices. Inventories of unsold homes are mostly limited.
• The majority of the 10 metro areas are experiencing strong job and population growth and good economic news. They offer quality lifestyles, good schools and solid family recreation along with other amenities. Sales data shows that many recent home buyers are relocating from other, often more costly areas.
• All 10 metro markets are attracting both first-time and move-up buyers because of affordable prices, low mortgage interest rates and multiple financing options.
Namibia - A Bountiful Harvest Awaits the Adventure Traveler
August 17, 2008
Namibia - A Bountiful Harvest Awaits the Adventure Traveler
by: Andrew Muigai
Namibia is a largely arid country of stark rough-hewn beauty. The most vivid images are those of a haunting technicolor landscape of swirling orange dunes, shimmering mirages and treacherous dust devils. The apparent desolation is deceptive and plant and animal life and even man has adapted to this environment. The country is designed almost specially with the active and adventure seeker in mind. Timeless deserts, thorn bush savanna, desolate wind ravaged coastlines, majestic canyons, and sun-baked saltpans are the bounty that awaits the traveler.
Namibia’s top draw is the Etosha National Park, rated as one of Africa’s finest game sanctuaries. The birding experience in the country is truly superior. The range of activities you can indulge in the unsurpassable physical environment is truly impressive. Ballooning over the desert, skydiving over land and sea, paragliding, whitewater rafting and sand skiing along coastal dunes are good activities for starters. More fun games to pick from include abseiling - that most spectacular of rock sports, coastal and fresh water angling, desert camel riding, scuba diving, 4×4 desert runs, hiking and mountaineering.
Our Canadian Immigration Story
August 16, 2008
Our Canadian Immigration Story
by: Dave Lympany
After 6 weeks in Canada and the finality that we were no longer on vacation hit with a thud - we weren’t going “home”.
I’d served 16 years in the Royal Air Force (RAF), so saying goodbye to a “safe” job seemed surreal. The final Christmas and New Year, the emotional family farewell, even the one way flight - it all seemed totally unreal! We found it hard to believe that over 2 years of planning had actually come to fruition and we were starting our new life near Calgary. Well, it was true. I was starting my new job the next day and the temperature was a cool - 25ºC !
We had discussed living in Canada in great length after my wife’s sister had moved to Edmonton with her Canadian husband and were enjoying a lifestyle we could only dream of. We tried a few DIY assessments to see if we would qualify but found ourselves 1 point short of the “pass mark” which was 70 at that time.
The Hong Kong Disneyland Resort
August 15, 2008
The Hong Kong Disneyland Resort
by: Pete Anderson
On September 12, 2005, the newest member of the Disneyland family of theme parks and resorts opened to the public. Hong Kong Disneyland is located on the island of Lantau, positioned to look out over Penny’s Bay and the Chinese Sea. Started as a joint operation between The Walt Disney Company and the Hong Kong SAR government, Hong Kong Disneyland brings the magic of Disney to a whole new environment, respecting the aspects of the culture of the country where it makes its home. The park boasts 2 glamorous hotels, the Disneyland Hotel and Disney’s Hollywood Hotel.
Hong Kong Disneyland has some of the attractions that will be familiar to visitors of Disney’s other parks. Main Street looks like a piece of Americana transplanted, with the Hong Kong Disneyland Railroad for a trip around the park. There’s also Adventureland, with the exciting Jungle River Cruise and all of the animal sights and sounds. Tarzan has made his home in Adventureland, where guests can take a ride on a raft to cross to Tarzan Island where they can visit Tarzan’s Tree House. For those who love the movie The Lion King, there is a musical performance based on the story as well - The Festival of the Lion King.
