A Romantic Weekend Getaway

Kims Beach Hideaway Luxury Resort In NSW

If you are looking for an Australian Luxury Vacation, or even just a romantic weekend getaway, then Kims Beach Hideaway Luxury Resort only about 90 minutes north of Sydney is the answer. Kims is a collection of luxurious chalets on the beach in Toowoon Bay What a beautiful place Kims is, right on the beach surrounded by pine trees, and lush terraced gardens.

It is so quiet and peaceful, just the sound of breaking waves on the beach, this really is a beach retreat.

There really isn’t much to do here, which is perfect for a romantic weekend getaway, and as each of the beach facing chalets, and it would be fair to say that is the majority of them, has direct access to the beach.

The beach itself is beautiful with fine white sand, ideal for swimming.

The rate here includes all meals, and the meals are all buffet, but of the very highest quality. If you like seafood, they have incredibly fresh seafood, and if you like meat, then there is plenty for carnivores to drool over. The salads are fresh and original, and there is a quite superb cheeseboard if you have any room left.

The range of desserts is awesome, especially at lunchtime.

The chalets themselves are somehow old fashioned, but superbly appointed for 21st century living. There was just a suggestion of ‘olde worlde’ kind of rustic, with warm colours. They are an absolutely perfect answer for a romantic weekend break.

You could reserve a spa bungalow with king sized bed, louvered windows to let in the cooling breeze, and your own veranda and balcony with a Jacuzzi. Privacy and relaxation is what Kims is all about.

The granite tile bathroom is large and there is a double shower with massaging double shower heads.

There is a CD player, Television, and complimentary DVD’s available from reception.

To cap it all you will have a library full of books, and complimentary magazines.

It is fair to say that as an Australian Luxury vacation or a romantic weekend getaway, this isn’t a cheap option but Kims Beach Hideaway is worth every penny.

Brazil Travel Guide

Brazil’s beaches are considered the most beautiful and funny of the world. To the discovery of the Brazilian costumes, Copa Cabana in Río de Janeiro, famous for its carnival, cuisine and the worm welcome of the local population.

WHY BRAZIL?

* For its wonderful beaches which are maybe the most beautiful in the world. Not only for its nature but also for the amusing life that encourages them. In Copacabana beach, Río de Janeiro, any sport type may be seen at any hour of the day or the afternoon.

* To attend the most impressive human show in the world that is the Brazil carnival. In the smallest town in the country all the activities are interrupted during a week for the carnival and and nothing must seem to be more imporant than this celebrate.

* To cross the Amazon River from Belem to Manaus on board of a lineal boat and this way to see how the Amazon runs on the sides

* To dive inside the Brazilian music. The guitar and the percussion are present and played everywhere in all the beaches and squares of the country.

* To see Brasilia, the futurist city made in airplane form a city that represents the braviest architectural companies of this century.


GEOGRAPHICAL DATA
With a surface of 8.511.965 Km., Brazil is the fifth state of the world for its extension. Besides Chile and Ecuador, it is adjacent to another state of Suramérica. It has four geographical types of area. The long sandy coast of the Atlantic Ocean, the amazon basin that welcomes the biggest jungle in the planet; the central plateau so call Planalto Brasileiro; and the depression of the Paraguayan basin to the southeast. Brasilia is the fascinating capital, a tourist city in form of airplane within the amazon jungle.

Time Zone: -5.0 (summer); -3.0 (winter)

Duration of the days: maxim 13.5 (December); minimum 10 (June)

WHEN TO GO
Better Period: January, February, March, September, October

Good period: April, May, June, August.

Worst period. Julio

WEATHER
The whole Brazil has a tropical climate, therefore hot, humid and rainy during the whole year. Inside the Amazon jungle the percent of humidity never descend from 100% and Belem almost in the line of the Ecuador, its in the entire world the city where rainy s more.


Useful Information
Slight clothes of cotton, but also hot T-shirt if he/she goes in winter station overalls in the south. A jacket slight raincoat can be he very useful although against violent winds and cloudbursts it serves very little. Clothes of long magas against lso amazon inseptos.

CULTURE / MUSEUM
In lso museums of Sao Pablo, cultural capital of Brazil, sexisten European insospechables art collections that give of envying to muchso museums of the old continent. Also in River of Janeiro there is cultural ocaciones for not losing.

Museum of Art Address: Brought to an agreement Paulista 1578, San Paolo of the Brasile Schedule: 11-17.30; giovedì 11-20; monday closed. Closed during Carnival

Entrance is paid
Interesting collection of Greek, Roman and Egyptian antiques. Squares, sculptures, ye Italian, French impressions, Englishwomen, Spanish, Flemishes, Dutchwomen. After the works cousins they are exposed Bernini's canvases, Botticelli, Raffaello, Cézanne, Chagall, Gauguin, Picasso and Modigliani.

Museum of the Folklore and Aeronautical
Museum Address: Park do Ibirapuera, Sao Paulo
Orari: 14-17; chiuso lunedì

Inside the splendid park of Ibirapuera, where architects of world fame have worked, he/she can find lodging, this small, but interesting museum I divide in two parts: one dedicated to the Brazilian indigenous culture and the other one to the aeronautics being pioneer of this phenomenon the Brazilian, Santos Dumont.

Modern museum of Art
Address: Brought to an agreement Dom Enrique 85, Rio de Janeiro
Entrance is paid
Schedule: 12-17.30

Entrance is paid
The museum gathers works of the XX century, with works of Albers, Brancusi, Buthe, Him Corbusier, Mathies, Picasso, Polloch and Warhol. Interesting it is the picture section and design, overalls that dedicated to the art Brazilian contemporary.
Brazilian African-American museum
Address: Praça Terreiro of Jesus, Salvador de Bahia
Schedule: 9-17; closed monday

Entrance is paid
Beautiful museum dedicated entirely to the African origins of Brazilian nation. It proposes a trip after the hierarchy of those "orichas", the born divinities after the encounter of the Christian religion and the animist.

The Brazilian Cousine
Brazil earth of encounters and cultural crossings also since it concerns the kitchen. The products traditionally used by the first Indian cuisine to those used by the European settlers and later with the traditions African gastronomitas. The result is not more than an original and nutritious kitchen that makes great use of vegetables, of meats, overalls to the south, and of fish, overalls to north, where the plates are often particularly spicy for the abundant use of the spicy pepper. In each city it can be those "churrascarias", restaurant that serves all type of flavorful meat, Brazilian national pride, cooked to the coal and served by waiters that maintain long roasted threaded as swords. In the north the meat dries off in the sun and he/she receives the name of "meat of sun". The plate national Brazilian in all ways is the "feijoada". it is unique plate to base black beans, dry and fresh meat served with "beacon" kind of a taken out flour of the manioc. It is highly a po!
pular plate proteico and private room comes for Saturdays. In the bay region it should be proven the absolutely "siri casquinha", a lightly spicy cream, served as antipasto, has like base delicious pulp of a small called crab "siri". But the most traditional and good plate in the kitchen bahiana is the "peixe moqueca". kind of a soup of white fish, dry shrimps, vegetables, coconut milk and dendé oil, a typical palm of the area. It is served as accompaniment to a fish plate to the parilla. The Brazilian dinner begins and it often finishes with a glass "caipirinha", cocktail to base gave cachaca (distilled of cane of sugar), lemon and sugar.

FUN / SHOPPING
The worked precious stones are one of the glories of the country. On the other hand is dificult to return from Brazil without having bought at least a new suit for the beach, a pareo, and any disk of bossa nova.

Jeweler's
Brazil produces at about the 65% of the stones sold in the world. This commercial event is due to the convenient prices and the complete variety of stones coming from the Brazilian mining, there also are beautiful silver objects as jewels ingrained with the religious traditions of the country. It is better to acquire these stones in reliable jeweler's that give you receipts of guarantee and authenticity.The acquisition of these stones can be related to visits to carving laboratories, which offer them gratuitously by menas of the great international house as that one of Stern.

Music
In the land of the zamba and that of bossa nova you cannot give up to take home some original memory. Tom Jobim and Vinicius of Moraes’ classic disks, to begin with, but also a little bit ancients songs of Caetano Veloso, the Brazilian music's great poet, Chico Buarque’s or the youngs Marisa Montes and Vinicius Cantuaria. It is also Interesting the traditional musical instruments, mainly percussion.

Apparel
The Brazilian boisterous bikini can be get in business and bancarelas of any center spa. As well as a coloring pareos that can be used as beach canvas or as improvised dress. It must be remember that the Brazilian sizes are as a rule smaller than the Italians. Therefore it will be great to try them getting them.

Foods
An acquisition to be made may be at the last moment in the airport,can be that of any Brazilian product. Perhaps the coffee, also because it will found stronger and bitter that Italian because of the diverse form of being toasted and later the phlegm, a distilled from the sugar cane which afterwards can be used as base to the caipirinha.

Great Barrier Reef Hotels

Why not go to the Great Barrier Reef this year, find a great Barrier Reef Hotel, and have a Great Barrier Reef Vacation? As one of the many thousands of visitors to Australia you are inevitably drawn to the Great Barrier Reef without necessarily really knowing what it is, where it is, and where is the best Barrier Reef Hotel to take the best advantage of it. So think on this:

The Great Barrier Reef off the east coast of Australia is the only living organic thing visible from Space. The Great Barrier Reef, off the east coast of Australia, is one of the wonders of the natural world - it is the world's largest coral reef ecosystem.

The reef is scattered with beautiful islands and idyllic coral cays and covers more than 300,000 square kilometres. The Great Barrier Reef system consists of more than 3000 reefs which range in size from 1 hectare to over 10,000 hectares in area. There are more than 600 islands of the Great Barrier Reef, some of which contain great hotels for you to stay at. The real question is what Great Barrier Reef Hotel would suit you the best?

The Top 10 Rated Hotels in a recent poll were as follows:

1. South Long Island Nature Lodge, Whitsunday Island, Whitsunday Islands, Great Barrier Reef

2. Voyages Wilson Island, Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef

3. Lizard Island Resort, Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef

4. Beach Club Resort, Hamilton Island, Whitsunday Islands, Great Barrier Reef

5. Voyages Heron Island Resort, Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef

6. Voyages Bedarra Island Resort, Bedarra Island, Great Barrier Reef

7. Voyages Dunk Island, Dunk Island, Great Barrier Reef

8. Peppers Palm Bay, Long Island, Whitsunday Islands, Great Barrier Reef

9. Hayman Island Resort, Hayman Island, Whitsunday Islands, Great Barrier Reef

10. Kingfisher Bay Resort, Fraser Island, Great Barrier Reef

There are all types of accommodation at all prices, with activities to match the budgets for your Great Barrier Reef vacation. They range from very sophisticated resorts like Hayman Island and the beach club on Hamilton Island, a secluded adult hideaway at Peppers Palm Bay.

Then you can go to family orientated island getaways like Hamilton Island, South Molle Island, and Daydream Island.. Finally you have Long Island a budget party island.
You must make extensive enquiries about each hotel, because there are many more than can be mentioned here.

Both Whitsunday’s Great Barrier Reef islands and Queensland's Great Barrier Reef islands are ideally suited for honeymooners, families, divers, beachcombers or nature lovers - in fact anyone looking for an idyllic, exotic, sun kissed and pristine holiday destination that is a rare escape from a stressful world.

If diving or fishing are more your thing for your Great Barrier Reef vacation then Heron, Wilson, Lizard or Lady Elliot are the places to go.

Here we have nature at its best with turtle hatching, bird rookeries and whale watching, (all seasonal) Lady Elliot Island is an ecological wonderland. If you are looking for total and complete luxury, then Hayman, Green Island, Orpheus, Bedarra, Peppers Palm Bay and Lizard are top of the list If it’s a family type vacation then the prices and facilities of South Molle Island, Dunk, Hamilton, Hayman, Daydream or Fitzroy make perfect sense for that tropical family holiday.

If you are looking for something in between, then Hamilton Island, South Molle Island, Daydream Island Resort & Spa, or Long Island Resort, are worth investigating. Other Island resorts closer to Queensland's vibrant capital, Brisbane, are also world famous and easily accessible by vehicle and ferry, with all resorts operating their own transfer services.

The superb Kingfisher Bay Resort on World Heritage Fraser Island, and the health and activity focussed first class Couran Cove Island Resort on South Stradbroke Island off the coast from the Gold Coast should both be checked out.

I hope this has given you something to think about in terms of a suitable Great Barrier Reef Hotel for your next Great Barrier Reef vacation



Check out Hotels in Australia at http://www.worldwidevacationspots.com/categories/Oceania%26%2339%3Bs-Hidden-Hotels/Australia/

Rabat Hotels

More Than Just A Tourist's Resting Place

Your Moroccan adventure won't be complete without exploring the magnificent capital of this North African kingdom. Rabat is a must-see for every person in this busy world. The city simply offers a relaxing environment through tranquil beaches, comfortable Rabat hotels, and the majestic view of the vast Atlantic ocean. Aside from the comforting atmosphere, Rabat is also a great place to visit if you want to stay away from the hurly-burly of your modern-day lifestyle. You can surely take a break by staying in Rabat hotels.

However, despite the august reasons for you to indulge in your Rabat travel, many tourists still find one downside to visiting this city. Though tourists may come and go as they please, they usually find it difficult to get a place to stay. People in Rabat are somewhat shy, so please do not expect them to offer you their nice abode if you are new to this place. Instead, take delight in staying in one of the homey Rabat hotels to revel in this fascinating city even for a couple of days.

Unlike in other places where hotel accommodations can be horrible, staying in Rabat hotels is fortunately not a burden to endure. The Rabat hotel experience is indeed, a great pleasure to most tourists. After a long day of sight-seeing, Rabat hotels offer travelers like you with other forms of delight and convenience. In this list, you'll find more reasons to stay longer:

1. Relaxation after a long day of Rabat travel

Walking around Rabat, taking photographs, and shopping from one store to another can exhaust all your energy. At the end of the day, you'll definitely yearn for a soothing spa treatment or appreciate a massage to relax your tired body. But don't worry, Rabat hotels have top-of-the-line facilities and services to provide you with stuff that you need. With steam rooms and Middle Eastern medicine-inspired treatments, you'll surely find ways to calm your weary mind and soul.

2. Learning that never stops

Though you're in Rabat to take a break from your usual business, there's simply no reason why your mind shouldn't be fed with important information. Tourists like you love to travel so they can learn more, and this learning should never stop once you enter your hotel room. Fortunately, Rabat hotels can help satisfy this hunger for knowledge by providing you with complimentary newspapers and magazines. In addition to this, you can also do a little research about the city by using the hotel's Internet facilities.

3. Non-stop exciting activities

Going back to your hotel in this splendid city need not be dull and unsettling. While in other places, returning to your hotel simply means ending your fun-filled adventure to get some sleep-- this is certainly not the case in Rabat. After visiting a stream of Rabat tourist spots, more thrilling activities still await you in your hotel. Golf courses and swimming pools are only some of the greatest recreational facilities that Rabat hotels have to offer. But should you choose not to engage in heavy physical activities, you still can hang out with your friends or loved ones at coffee shops and bars within the vicinity.

Rabat hotels are more than just a resting place. They give tourists great reasons to keep on coming back to Morocco. The enjoyment they get from their activities inside Rabat hotels will always be one of their most meaningful Moroccan memories.

Experience Macau

Macau, a city famous for its tourism for the past couple of years, is exerting effort to further improve the industry and become a tourist destination with something to offer to everyone. To advocate tourism, Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) has employed “Macau: a World of Difference, the Difference is Macau” as the promotional slogan and “Experience Macau!” as the theme for a series of promotions around the world through its representatives.

Macau as a World Heritage Site
Macau was recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) two years ago as a world heritage site. Macau is the 31st site in China to be included on the list.
As a World Heritage Site, it sets Macau apart from the rest of the cities in the region. MGTO intends to use this recognition as an edge to encourage not just holidaymakers but also business travellers to visit the city through improving its cultural resort with state-of-the-art facilities that includes large-scale convention an exhibition spaces.

Local Attractions
The city of Macau is abundant in historical landmarks and cultural heritage. It offers just the right blend of Latin and Asian cultures, making it a popular destination for every tourist. Among the renowned places to visit are the Chinese Temples and Religious Spots, Chinese gardens and Portuguese forts. Aside from these, the presence of glazing Vegas-style casinos is what also drives travellers to visit the city.

Where to Stay

There are enough things to do in and around Macau that would surely keep anyone occupied for weeks. That’s why it is better to bunk down for a while at one of the finest hotels in the area. Grandview Hotel is ideal for tourists, local and international alike, whether staying just for a night or a week-long vacation. This four-star hotel offers pleasant guest rooms and stylish suites all in contemporary design. It also has executive floors located on the top floors for corporate-related functions. It is strategically located in the heart of downtown Taipa, making tourist landmarks such as the famous 4-faced Buddha, the Macau Jockey Club, and the Macau Olympic Complex highly and easily accessible. Admired for its location, Grandview Hotel gives its guests a bit of everything they need for a truly delightful Macau experience.

Angsana Resort

Spa Great Barrier Reef One Of The Small Luxury Resorts Of The World

Why not travel to the Barrier Reef for your Australia Luxury Vacation, and stay at the Angsana Resort & Spa, one of Australia’s great luxury resorts, and one of the small luxury hotels of the world. It is the only resort in the region situated on the beachfront, and it nestles in the beautiful village of Palm Cove. It is the resort for visiting the Great Barrier Reef and the world’s oldest tropical rainforest which is close by.

The Angsana Resort & Spa has a lovely sandy tropical beach, three swimming pools, and a luxurious spa, you don’t have to go anywhere other than this luxury resort, but there is a lot to do if you so wish. There are excursions to the Great Barrier Reef, trekking in the tropical rainforest, wildlife watching, and not for the faint hearted bungee jumping!!

If you are a nature lover, then the Angsana Resort & Spa is perfect for you. On the other hand if you are a water sport enthusiast, or a spa freak then you are also in the right place.

As the resort fronts the Coral Sea it is perfect for snorkelling, windsurfing, scuba diving and windsurfing.

The Angsana Spa has a wonderfully calm setting, and here you will find aromatic baths, massages, facials, and body therapies on offer. As befits one of the Small Luxury resorts of the World the accommodation is understated but luxurious, there being only 67 suites, with ceiling to floor glass doors that overlook outdoor patios and tropical gardens, allowing the breeze in.

They are all air conditioned and decorated with Thai silk drapes, with ceiling fans as well. Each suite comes fully equipped with television, private mini-bar, personal safe, hairdryer, bath robes, slippers, coffee and tea making facilities and a kitchenette that comes with a refrigerator, microwave and table settings. If your bank balance runs to it, then book the Angsana Suite, which is just furnished extravagantly, and superbly well equipped, this suite has its own swimming pool, sun terrace, and even a BBQ.

The Far Horizons restaurant is a good restaurant serving Asian inspired food based mainly on seafood and other local ingredients. You can sit inside or on the beachfront, and you can add to this the Poolside Gourmet BBQ for lunchtime eating.

The Angsana Resort & Spa Great Barrier Reef does credit to the Small Luxury Hotels of the World Group, and if you are in that part of the world then you can safely include it in your Australia Luxury Vacation Itinerary.

Safety On A Great Barrier Reef Vacation

A Great Barrier Reef vacation will almost always include Great Barrier Reef Snorkelling, Great Barrier reef diving, or at least wading around in shallow water, or walking on coral cays.

You need to be aware that The Great Barrier Reef has several very dangerous marine animals, so you need to be on your guard all the time you are walking on coral, in shallow water, snorkelling or diving.

The most common dangerous animals of the Great Barrier Reef includes jellyfish, several species of fish, sea snakes, octopus, and even certain shellfish that can potentially be fatal to humans.

In fairness if you take the right precautions, and you know what to look out for, you can reduce the danger, and still enjoy the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef on your Great Barrier Reef trip.
The list of dangerous marine animals plus a brief description follows.

Box Jelly Fish.
This is one of the most dangerous creatures on the reef, and can be found swimming close to the shore from November through to March. It gets its name from the shape of its body, which is a box shaped bell with clusters of tentacles extending from each corner, which can reach up to 3 metres in length. They are nearly invisible because they are so transparent, and the strongest advice is if you want to swim off a beach in the summer months, then swim inside the netted areas. Their sting is agonising, however a single sting is bearable, but the problems tend to arise from panic, causing entanglement with the tentacles and a lot more stings. Enough venom can kill an adult, or drowning due to the panic. If the tentacles are stuck on a victim then they can be neutralised by pouring vinegar on them

Irukandji Jellyfish
This is very small, being only a few centimetres in diameter, and it is to be found at the northern end of The Great Barrier Reef. They tend to be found in the deeper waters of the reef, but can be swept inshore. Divers and snorkelers are most at risk, and they usually appear in the summer months November to March. The sting goes unnoticed for possibly as long as half an hour, but then the venom begins to take hold, and it can be strong enough to hospitalise adults. Although it’s small it’s very dangerous, because you won’t see it unless you are specifically looking.

Blue Ringed Octopus
It is the only dangerous octopus in the world, and is the size of a golf ball, and looks cute. The Blue Ringed Octopus has a beak that can penetrate a wet suit and poison that can kill an adult in minutes, and there is no known antidote. It lives in rock pools and coral, and is very dangerous when the blue rings glow an electric blue, when it feels threatened. It is spectacular when this happens, and it attracts children, so they need to be warned not to touch anything!! The bite doesn’t hurt, and will happen if you pick it up. Within a few minutes the venom will give breathing difficulties and nausea, and worse still if it triggers an allergic reaction.

Cone Shells
Cone shells look very pretty but this shellfish is one of the most dangerous animals on the Great Barrier Reef. The problem is that there are many different types of Cone Shells all over the Reef, some harmless, and some so deadly they can kill a human, as they have the most potent neurotoxins known about, in their venom. If you add to this they have attractive shells then holidaymakers pick them up, and if threatened the Cone Shell will fire a harpoon like dart into the victim. You will know if this happens or if you stand on one when walking, because the sting will be felt straight away.

Lion Fish Lion-fish are members of the Scorpion Fish family and are found all over the Great Barrier Reef. They are difficult to see, and much sought after, but they hide up in crevices and small caves. The fact that they like shallow water makes them a threat to swimmers, because they have venomous and extremely large fin spines that can penetrate the skin, giving immediate pain resulting in muscle swelling, cramps, nausea, fainting and even death.

They can be recognised because they have stripes similar to a zebra

Stone Fish
Stonefish are ugly looking creatures, mottled green - brown in colour, with 13 dorsal spines that release a poisonous toxin when pressed, so stepping on one is a very painful experience. The pain can be excruciating and death is a possibility.. They are found mainly in the warmer northern half of the Great Barrier Reef, and they live on top of rocks or the seabed, where they lie motionless,, and their camouflage colours make them almost impossible to see. They are therefore a danger at low tide when walking along the beach, so footwear with thick soles is important. The severity of the pain and the symptoms will depend on the depth of penetration of the poisonous spine. Finally there are 15 species of sea snakes on the Great Barrier Reef, and all of them produce lethal venom. The good news is they have small fangs and aren’t aggressive, and no-one has died from a bite. Stingrays can be very unpleasant if you stand on their tail, as they whip up and can cut you very badly. You must ensure your anti tetanus is up to date before leaving home. All this makes depressing reading, but remember tens of thousands of people take a Great Barrier Reef vacation every year, and only a very few are unlucky, so be sensible, take precautions.

Traveling by Trains

One of the earliest types of transportation in our society is traveling by train. Most people view trains as heavy machineries, which main purpose are to carry cargo and transport passengers from one point to another.

The trains' primary distinction as compared to other mode of transportation is the fact that they actually traverse a particular path, known as the railroads and transport numerous numbers of people and cargo in a one way/segment travel. Because of this controlled system of operations, trains are not exposed to the rigors of our roads and streets where other modes of transportation are concentrated. This element makes transportation through trains a supposedly safe mode of public travel. In addition, the fact that the control on such type of transportation is dependent on a recorded, predetermined period makes it even safer as opposed to any other form of transportation. Yet, despite the safety features that are prevalent in travel by means of train, the fact that accidents happen in this mode of transportation is not an entirely new concept.

Since it traverses a particular railroad path, the element of human negligence in cases of accidents occurring is entirely different from other vehicle accident cases.
Historical accounts and current accident records/statistics are actual evidences bringing to light the fact that accidents during train travels are more drastic or catastrophic compared to other vehicular accidents. The severity of train accidents is probably due to certain elements like the number of passengers and the amount of cargo being transported in the trains or the fact that since a machine controls its operation, it would have no other remedial acts, as compared to humans, when faced with system malfunctions.

One of the most common train accidents is derailment. Derailment has become a common picture in vehicle accident stories everywhere. It maybe due to the fact that railroads have existed for so long and the outside elements and wear and tear has already caught up with it, causing it to naturally decay, or it maybe the result of a system failure causing a speeding train to lose its track.

When railroad problems and derailment occur, accidents of tragic proportions are sure to become unavoidable consequences. Unlike in cases of other vehicles wherein stepping on the brakes or the pulling of the hand brakes may be done to avoid an accident from happening, in train accident cases, no brakes can be capable to stop all of the locomotive cars. If there were any, then the train's speed and the volume of passengers and cargo would be an added element in causing a catastrophe rather than mitigating it.

Chartered Plane Rides

If convenience in air travel is what you are looking for, then what better way to go about your trip than by chartering a private jet to take you places? Aside from the obvious fact that you have the plane for yourself, you can also do away with problems concerning security and the inconvenience of dealing with other people you would prefer not to encounter.

If you think about this kind of air travel as a good choice in order to experience luxury and a once in a lifetime opportunity to travel like a royalty, you have to think again. Chartering a private aircraft for the purposes of traveling from one place to another actually has disadvantages that would not have been prevalent when you had your travel as a simple couch flyer in a commuter aircraft. The obvious critique is the absurd cost, when chartering a private aircraft you actually pay convenience for the value of air tickets in two hundred folds or even more. A chartered flight actually is the most expensive type of transportation available in the field of transportation today. Aside from the fact that you pay on the basis of miles traveled, you need to take into consideration also the fact that you actually provide a different payment for the personnel thereof.

Another disadvantage of flying a chartered plane is the fact that the diligence adopted by the person in control of the same is only ordinary diligence, and not the extraordinary diligence warranted in commuter flights. Now what is the difference in these duties of care and how would it negatively affect the use of chartered flights?

Extraordinary diligence is the diligence required to be exercised by common carriers as part of the office of their functions. It actually means the adoption of that level of care taking into consideration all circumstances of time, people, and place. The duty of a common carrier is to prove that this amount of care have actually been complied with, and in any case that there would be an accident resulting from the conduct of their functions then the presumption is that the common care failed to exercise that amount of care incumbent upon it to perform. This type of diligence is incumbent upon commuter flights to adopt. On the other hand, chartered flights, not being a common carrier because of its already private nature are only required to adopt that level of care a good father of a family is incumbent to take, and that is ordinary diligence in the conduct of its proceedings.

Traveling with Children

Learning Activities for the Road

Traveling with children can be fun as well as very trying. Our family has been traveling with our children since the children were babies. Our children are in their middle school years now, but over the years we have come up with some fun travel activities that keep the children’s attention and teach them something in the process.

While on long trips, it can be very tempting to use the portable DVD player to provide entertainment for your children, and don’t think for a minute that we don’t use that form of entertainment…. for parts of long trips…. but there are so many simple, fun games that you can play with your children that will help make the trip smoother and more enjoyable. Here are some examples of activities that we have used to make travel time smoother.

One of my children’s favorite games is what my husband calls “Toss Ups”. In Toss Ups, my husband simply tosses questions up. For instance, “Who was the first president of the United States of America?” or “If I had 5 apples, and I gave 3 apples to Tom , how many apples do I have now?” Now, as you can see, the questions can be very simple depending on your children’s ages. If you have a larger age span between children, you might toss up general questions to all, but throw in…. Now, this toss up is just for Adam… and then ask a question tailored for the younger child. This game was a huge hit with our children when they were ages two through five, but even now that they are 11 and 13, every now and then we hear – Hey Daddy – give us some toss ups…. Believe me, trying to come up with questions for smart middle-schoolers is tough!!

Lately, we have tailored the game of “Going on a trip” to our family. “Going on a trip” is a fun game where everyone in the car tells that they are going on a trip and bringing something along. That “something” has to begin with the first letter of the person’s name. You keep going along in that fashion until everyone guesses the first letter - first name connection. Now that our children are older, we have adapted that game to a pretty intricate game of logic…. For instance…. “I am going on a trip, and I am bringing an apple, a banana, and a cat.” The next person might then say (if they know the correct connection) “I am going on a trip, and I am bringing a mop, and napkin, and an octopus.” The play continues until everyone gets the connection. In this case, it was that all of the things that I am bringing start with consecutive letters of the alphabet. The person who begins each game selects the connection.

These activities are simple and fun. The idea is for the entire family to be involved and enjoy the thrill of guessing the answers. Each of these activities can be played with just about any age group and best of all, there is no cost involved. Any piece of information can be used in the toss ups game from social studies, science, history, math, or trivia… you name it. The idea here is to have fun with your children and make travel time a little easier.

Traveling in fast forward

Bangkok, Thailand in 24 hours

After arriving in Bangkok at around 3am, I found that my room was unavailable due to it being flooded, not the best way to start my 24 hour adventure but not enough to slow me down. After a power cut and a couple of hours waiting I finally got my room, I didn’t really have enough time to sleep much after the delay, so I had to settle for just a couple of hours.

I got up at 8.30am and felt surprisingly refreshed, it’s not often you have to survive on only 2 hours sleep but at the same time it’s not often you get the opportunity to explore an environment and culture that’s completely new to you. I took a look out the window and just gazed at the concrete jungle that is Bangkok.

For the troubles of the night before, the hotel graciously gave me a free breakfast and a few other nice treats. I enjoyed a few fruits that I’d never had before; I’m quite the food lover so even simple things like that were interesting to me. It’s amazingly humid and very hot, 30 degrees at just 9am in the morning. Luckily for me and the other Hotel guests having breakfast, there are half a dozen huge fans cooling the area.

After finishing up my breakfast I head out into the unknown. I have no idea where I’m going or what I want to do which is part of the fun, it’s sometimes nice to have no plans or schedule, just the freedom to do whatever crosses your path. It doesn’t take much time for me to meet some of the locals, there are street vendors everywhere and they can be very persistent, with an emphasis on very. It’s a little intimidating at first but after a good 5 hours of shopping I was a pro.

The Pantip Plaza was the first real building I stumbled into, it was full of cheap gadgets and huge amounts of DVD’s (all no doubt perfectly legal). I moved onto Siam Square next and watched a game of street football which was cool. The temperature was edging 35 degrees at this stage and this seemed even more surprising when I looked up and spotted a huge dark cloud forming right above me.

It didn’t take long for the rain to come and what a display it was. I’ve never encountered such a massive display of thunder and lightening in my life. Everyone scurried through the shop awnings and backstreets to take cover, it was impressive watching the speed at which the street vendors set up protection from the rain, this was obviously something they had learned to put up with. It felt like I was wading through millions of people as I made my way back to the hotel, it was cramped before the rain arrived but now it was just crazy.

After a nice dinner, I did some more looking around. I found some cool t-shirts and plenty of great presents for when I eventually got back home to New Zealand. While haggling over prices was new definitely new to me, I ended up enjoying it. It’s not something I could really be bothered with all the time but for that one day it was really fun.

My 24 hours in Bangkok was nearly over. I had to get some sleep before my early flight to London, especially after missing out the night before. It was a shame I had to leave so soon but I’m looking forward to coming back another time and exploring more of Bangkok, especially their many beautiful temples and other tourist attractions. 24 hours certainly wasn’t long but it was enough to give me a taste for Thailand and all the fun and excitement it offers.

Wilson Island

The Great Barrier Reef Is The Perfect Honeymoon Vacation Resort

If your perfect honeymoon resort has to be on a tiny coral cay, and it has to be an Australia Honeymoon Package on the Great Barrier Reef, then Wilson Island should tick all the right boxes. It is surrounded by a pristine coral reef and quite the loveliest of beaches.

If you have spent any time in Africa on safari and stayed in a tented camp, then the accommodation on Wilson Island will not be unfamiliar to you, except this is real five star luxury camping, all inclusive, with food that is just out of this world, and a fantastic wine cellar.

When people think of camping, have never been on a camping safari or stayed at Wilson Island they have this idea of sleeping bags and poles, and leaks and cold water showers. Wilson Island is the perfect Honeymoon Vacation resort, because when they talk tents what they mean is six permanent tents all looking out over the reef and the ocean designed with the guests ultimate comfort in mind.

All of the tents have raised timber floors, King size beds with Duvets, Bedside Tables, Battery operated bedside lights, deck chairs, bathrobes, bath towels, beach towels, toiletries, and daily housekeeping service.

The only drawback is that because of the fact that Wilson Island uses solar power, all the hot showers are in the central amenities building, where each tent has its own private designated area.

So what will you do on Wilson Island as your perfect honeymoon resort.

The short answer is little or nothing, but you could cheerfully snorkel right off the beach where you will see some fantastic fish, and perhaps even a turtle as well. You could just lie in a hammock and be lazy, or you can walk round the island, picnic on the beach, and end up watching the sunset drinking champagne, or the sunrise with a hot cup of coffee and biscuits.

Wilson is that kind of place, probably idyllic for three or four days with no mobile phone coverage, no children, no television, just the birds, and the crashing of the sea to listen to.

If you are able to entertain yourself, and you don’t mind the unorthodox toilet arrangements, or a communal dinner party atmosphere in the evenings, then Wilson Island could be the perfect honeymoon resort.

The Naturist Life Style?

Start Somewhere Warm!

If you're thinking of taking up the Naturist Life style then it makes sense to start somewhere warm right?

Well, we recently moved to the Algarve in Portugal for exactly this reason. With more sunshine than anywhere else in Europe, our dream was to create a year round Naturist guest house that would provide privacy and relaxation for Naturists looking for a quick getaway to the sun.

The first step was finding our property. Fortunately, by travelling just 2 or 3 kilometres inland from the tourist epicentres we were able to chose from a number of secluded villas and farm houses conducive to the Naturist life style. We finally settled on a beautiful property just outside Albufeira that was also close to the best Nudist beaches in the Algarve.

The property's biggest asset is its beautiful gardens, which because of the Algarve climate are in bloom all year round. These, combined with the fact that the location, although completely secluded, is close enough to many local ammenities such as the new Algarve Shopping centre in Guia, make it ideal for the purposes of the Naturist holiday maker: privacy and access.

After several weeks of legal procedure (buying property in the Algarve can be a drawn out process) we were finally able to call "Casa Amarela" our own and soon set about converting the residence into a guest house. Fortunately, the layout of the property meant that there was very little in the way of major renovations and within a short time we were able to open our doors to our first guests.

The Algarve has always been famous for its beaches and golf resorts but there are many other opportunities afforded by this region of Portugal and we believe that Naturism in the warmest of European destinations is an obvious opportunity to explore...if nothing else it makes sense doesn't it? ;)

Canadian Rockies Golf Vacation

A Canadian Rockies golf vacation could very well be the most memorable holiday you’ll ever take! The Canadian Rockies truly are one of the top natural wonders of the world, internationally renowned for the stunning scenery, the sparklingly clean air, and the quiet of unspoiled wilderness. This is as close as it gets to paradise on earth.
Snow-gilded mountain peaks, gem-like lakes, lush green river valleys and wide blue western skies are almost scenery clichés, but on your Canadian Rockies golf vacation this is reality. Golfers from around the world come to just stand and stare at one of nature’s crowning achievements. The fact that you’ll be playing golf in such a fabulous setting is just the icing on the cake. Of course, the numerous world-class golf courses in the area take full advantage of their gorgeous settings.
Verdant fairways weave themselves around glacier-fed streams and towering stands of evergreens, and often the greens themselves are back-dropped by achingly beautiful vistas. If there is a heaven, surely it must look like this! In such circumstances, it can be very difficult to concentrate on your golf game.
There are a wide variety of golf courses to choose from, all of them fabulous in their own unique way. Stanley Thompson, Canada’s master golf architect, designed the Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course in 1928. He sensitively incorporated the natural scenic splendour into his design. The course winds along beside the pristine wilderness of the Bow River overlooked by the snow-capped peaks of Sulphur Mountain and Mount Rundle. This amazing course will both challenge and delight you.
SCOREGolf Magazine rates the Jasper Park Lodge Golf Club as the #1 Best Golf Resort in Canada with good reason. Designed in the 1920’s by Stanley Thompson, few golf courses in the world can match the rugged majesty of this national treasure. The design features wide fairways carved through thick forest, dramatic bunkering and holes aligned with distant mountain vistas. It presents a cunning blend of beautiful landscapes and challenging terrain.
Of course, a Canadian Rockies golf vacation would be incomplete without luxurious accommodations, fine dining, unique shopping experiences and pampering spas. Fortunately, resorts like Banff and Jasper in the Canadian Rockies have been offering these amenities for well over a century, all in a unique manner. Hedonistic luxury in the heart of spectacular unspoiled wilderness is now a Canadian Rockies tradition.

Disney World

A Choice of Roller Coasters

The three most popular roller coasters at Walt Disney World are Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, and Thunder Mountain Railroad. Each of them has a different feel. Sometimes it's hard to decide which one to go on first.

Thunder Mountain Railroad, in Frontierland, is themed as the gold rush days in a flooded mine town called Tumbleweed, and you are seated in a runaway mine car. It is relatively gentle and geared towards adults and teens. The ride is about 3.5 minutes of hairpin turns and dark descents; where you feel like you are falling and you go around corners quickly enough to be tossed from side to side. There are 20 audio-animatronic figures including donkeys, chickens, possums, and a rainmaker called Professor Cumulus Isobar. There is antique mining equipment, falling rocks, an earthquake, and the smell of sulphur as you pass phosphorescent pools. You careen through a dinosaur's ribs, under a waterfall, past spewing geysers and over a volcanic pool. You really need to be paying attention to catch all the detail. The lines are long but move fairly quickly. It is best to go during parades, or use a FASTPASS, or go late in the day (many people say it's even better after dark). The queue can get pretty hot in the summer so a mister fan could come in handy.

Space Mountain, in Tomorrowland, is an indoor attraction, themed as a ride through outer space. You enter a space station and board and exit the ride at a space port. There are two almost identical tracks in Disney World. Controlled lighting selectively hides portions of the track, so the element of surprise keeps this roller coaster as exciting as an outside one would be. Space Mountain was the first rollercoaster that was completely controlled and operated by a computer system. When you enter Space Mountain, there is a dimly lit queue that seems endless. It is a good idea to use Fastpass, especially at peak times. The best times to ride are during parades or late at night. Eventually you get to board six passenger "rockets", seated single file. Your vehicle goes through a tunnel of strobe lights and colors before "blasting off into space". You dip and swerve through the galaxy for two and a half minutes with peak speeds of 28 miles an hour, riding past shooting stars and glowing planets. The ride may be too intense for young children.

Splash Mountain, in Frontierland, is themed as Walt Disney's classic 1946 movie "Song of the South". The crafty Brer Rabbit is chased by Brer Fox and Brer Bear through swamps and woods all the way to the Laughin' Place. You should definitely use Fastpass for this ride. It is best to ride it during parades, either in the day or at night. There is a long queue through the inside of "Chickapin Hill" (this is one of the most popular rides in the park, especially in warm weather) until you reach the eight passenger "log" that will take you along the flume for 11 minutes.

There are 100 audio-animatronics figures, (some taken from an old attraction at Disneyland), as you travel through caves, swamps, and bayous. You see that initially Brer Rabbit outwits his pursuers but he is headed for trouble. He plunges with you from the top of Chickapin Hill, down five stories into the briar patch, at descent speeds of 40 mph. There are several familiar songs to clap, and sing aloud to. During the ride there are three lifts and five drops in total. Getting wet is inevitable. If you want to get really wet, though, ask if you can sit up front. There are ride photos taken just when your log begins to tip down the 45 degree waterfall. It is pretty funny to see your expression after the ride, at Splashdown Photos, as you exit.

Which roller coaster will you choose? Splash Mountain is an obvious choice on very hot days. It is fun to sing along to as well. Space Mountain is basically a fast, bone rattling roller coaster that is indoors and largely in the dark. Thunder Mountain Railroad is relatively gentle (which I like) but has plenty of the details that make Disney Theme Parks so much better than others. I would choose all three, especially on your first trip. They all have their own special pleasures and should all be experienced at least once.

Lizard Island

A Fantastic Great Barrier Reef Hotel

Lizard Island is a Great Barrier Reef Hotel and is the most northerly island on the Reef, and it would be a great choice for a beach vacation or a tropical honeymoon vacation resort.

Lizard is located right on the spectacular Great Barrier Reef, with its colourful coral reefs and 24 powder white sand beaches. This really is a taste of paradise, and the ideal tropical honeymoon vacation resort, especially as the island does not cater for children.

It has forty rooms, either on the main beach or on a small headland, plus the main building, pool, gym, spa, and watersports centre. Each of the 40 villas on Voyages Lizard Island is elegant and spacious, with either ocean or beach views, and your choices whilst limited by the depth of your pocket because Lizard Island isn’t cheap anyway!!

If however this is your choice of tropical honeymoon vacation resort, then splash out and book The Pavilion!! The Pavilion is high on the point of Sunset Ridge overlooking the Coral Sea, and is totally private yet a wonderful 270 degree panoramic view of Anchor Bay, Oscar Island and Sunset Beach.

It has a huge veranda with the usual sunloungers and a private plunge pool, and just the most stunning views.

A really nice touch is a private path leading to another private and very secluded area where table and chairs are placed to eat out on whilst enjoying the cooling breeze and the view.

Internally the Pavilion is luxurious, with even a laptop computer, though quite why I’m not sure, you really want to get away from that sort of thing.

The other choices of accommodation are as follows.

The Sunset Point Villas are set high on Sunset Ridge with views over Anchor Bay or Sunset Beach , though the view is interfered with by eucalyptus trees. The villas are very private with a veranda, with chairs and a hammock. It’s easy to get to a number of beaches from here, and the villas as you would expect are well furnished. The Anchor Bay suites are set along the arc of Anchor Bay, and not far from the main lodge. They have lovely sea views and a direct pathway onto the beach. They have an open plan design and a large veranda with a daybed.

Lastly the Anchor Bay rooms have a garden setting, and are relatively small inside, but there are family rooms here .

Our experience was that the Sunset Point Villas were very comfortable, and as our booking was full board all we had to pay for was our alcohol as soft drinks were complimentary at dinner and at the beach club.. There is no doubt that the reef and the snorkelling are just terrific, and right off the beach too!! You can ask to be taken to any beach you like with a picnic, and collected when you want., and you can go on organised snorkelling trips. The colours of the fish are simply incredible around lovely coral gardens Other activities include Gamefishing, or you can just go exploring, or sailing, or just relax at the luxurious Azure Spa and try some pampering.

Food is a hugely important part of any vacation especially on a honeymoon and Lizard Island will not disappoint.

Dining at Osprey’s restaurant is a huge pleasure, and in case you are concerned the menu changes every day, is fresh, and very creative using local produce and of course the freshest seafood. The Thursday buffet is out of this world.

You can opt for a private dinner on the beach.

There is a good range of choices at breakfast and you can opt for a lunchtime picnic option delivered to the beach house.

The staff are young, friendly and efficient, and very difficult to find fault with.

Whilst Lizard Island may be expensive, and the large lizards wandering around a little off putting at first, it is worth every cent.

It must be close to being the top Great Barrier Reef hotel, and I would certainly recommend it as a great tropical honeymoon vacation resort .

Explore Rajasthan

The land of rippling sand dunes and spectacular forts & palaces

Are you interested in making your holiday vacation a lifetime experience? Are you in the hunt for a place where you can spend your holiday with full of fun and frolic? Do you want to make your holiday a wild and wonderful experience? Starting from a royal and exotic luxury to excessive adventure – a land where diversity in culture, faith, and humankind has its complete strength and is esteemed in full insignia. I am talking about none other than the magical land of Rajasthan, India which is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.

Aim for tours to Rajasthan? You are most welcome on the magical land of Rajasthan, India. The largest state in India, Rajasthan is considered to be the land of monuments because the desert land of Rajasthan is dotted with many timeless and spectacular forts & palaces. Forts and palaces are the major attraction of Rajasthan, India. Enjoy a holiday in the land of monuments. Stay at spectacular palace hotels like Umaid Bhavan Palace, Samode Palace etc on your Rajasthan tours and practice the lavishness of being treated like a King/Prince.

Explore the magical land of Rajasthan, India and discover its hidden treasures in the barren land. Explore the vibrant and colourful land of Rajasthan, India and enjoy its cultural mosaic that reflects sparkling hues of folk songs, ballads romantic & rhythmic saga of past affairs and heritage brilliance. Find out alluring Rajasthan’s attractions in your Rajasthan tour packages and enjoy the fascination of Rajasthan tour in comforts and well-organized fashion. It is sure to the magical land of Rajasthan won’t fail to captivate you with its magical charisma. Entire land of Rajasthan is dotted with different varieties of fascination.

The largest state in India, Rajasthan has many attractive cities which are also worth visiting and are famous for their special significance. Jaipur also popularly known as the Pink City and the capital of Rajasthan, Jodhpur – the Sun City, Udaipur – the Romantic City, Jaisalmer – the Golden City, Bikaner – the Camel City and Mount Abu – the only hill station of Rajasthan are some major cities of Rajasthan which are amazing and worth visiting. All cities are dotted with many picturesque places of interests and spectacular forts and palaces. During your tours to Rajasthan you will observe that why the land of Rajasthan is called the land of monuments.

The culturally rich land of Rajasthan, India is not only famous for its forts and palaces but also for its rippling sand dunes on the barren desert, natural diversity, flora & fauna and wildlife. The wildlife of Rajasthan is also so much exciting and exhilarating. There are many wildlife sanctuaries in the desert land of Rajasthan, India which are also worth visiting. Visiting wildlife of Rajasthan gives a unique experience on your tours to Rajasthan, India. Over all, the magical land of Rajasthan, India provides everything what a tourist can demand for. So, come to Rajasthan, India – the land of rippling sand dunes and spectacular forts & palaces. Enjoy its amazing attraction on the camel back.

Alaska Fishing Lodge The Trip Of A Life Time

When choosing to visit to Alaska one of the activities that should be considered is Alaska fishing. Besides seeing the sights and experiencing seasonal changes in weather there is just plain relaxing. Consider stopping at the nearest Alaska fishing lodge. There are so many packages available and so many offers that you surely will find one for your family. A great Alaska fishing lodge is one that offers all the amenities with easy access to the water. Any package should include close proximity to the oceanfront lodging, great meals, guide services and fish processing. So you get everything you need all in one trip. There are many choices in fishing lodges. Alaska also offers a great variety and quantity of fish to be caught. They can be caught in different regions of the state and at various seasons. Alaska most popular fish is the salmon and the runner up is halibut. In the South central region there are various choices of fishing lodges. First, Alaska Tree Tops Fishing Lodge. Then there is Alaska Accommodations and Fishing Charters, Alaska Adventure Company, LLC Wilderness Place Lodge. In the southeast region there are several selections in lodges such as Alaskan Advantage and Shelter Cove Lodge and Salmon Falls Resort. The southwest offers the Alaska Rainbow Lodge. There are many more selections of Alaska fishing lodges that are available. By searching the web you may find out which lodge is best to suit your needs and who offers the best package and pricing. Most fishing lodges offer valued deals on shelter, food, and fishing equipment rentals. How can you select what is best for you? Decide on what region has the fish you are looking to catch. Pricing varies on lodges, regions, seasons and packaging. A package can start from $75 and range up to thousands of dollars. Guides are included in these packages to show you the region and where the fish reside, how to catch them best and when is a good time to go fishing. Alaska fishing lodges are fully staffed with professional fisherman who have been guiding on fishing subjects for many years. They love fish and will give the best fishing experience to maximize your chance for success. This should keep you coming back for more. Alaska fishing lodges offer stays from four to seven nights and offer a variety of options to meet the client’s needs and desires. Most of the lodging are owned and operated by Alaskan residents. When fishing in Alaska timing is everything. In other words each species of fish has a time when they are most available and when there is an abundance of that particular fish. When booking a reservation with one of the resorts, check to see if the fish you want to catch are available during your visit

Africa safari Top & Best Lodges Kenya

Africa safari lodges in Kenya: African safari in Kenya is chequered with top standard safari tour lodges mostly located in animal parcs. The African safari lodges have distinctive luxury in the wild feeling. The essence of sleeping in an African wildlife safari park lodge in your next safari holidays is to be close to nature in comfort. Top of the range African lion safari lodges also offer distinct service and other extras. African safari lodges in Kenya Africa is dotted with many wilderness parks that host a variety of interesting animals. These parks are located in far flung wild Africa areas with little in terms of infrastructure. Since the primary activity here besides conservation is tourism, these safari parks tend to play host to thousands of tourist every year. These parc safari tourists, in their quest to stay in the wild, need to be accommodated in lodges and hotels. The result is a mix of localized architecture and comfort in Africa safari lodges. Location of such lodges in parks is important. Most of the africab safari lodges will be located in places that afford the best view on top of a hill or under a canopy of fever trees next to a stream or river. There is some important safari lodges information you need to know when planning your African Kenya safari tour. Kenya Africa is an important Africa safari land where you will be guaranteed to see the big five animals. Africam safari tour in Kenya is one of the most rewarding if you are able to make a good combination of attractions to include the wild animals, the beach, the scenery and the bush. Africa Kenya safari lodges In Kenya, safari lodges are also located in some of the most favored animal parks. The most frequently visited animal parks in Kenya include the * Masai mara game reserve-the African lion safari park * Tsavo national park-the man eater lions safari park * Amboseli national park-the Amboseli elephant and Mt. Kilimanjaro animal safari park * Samburu game reserve-the Africa Kenya river safari park * Mt. Kenya national park-the African Kenya mountain park * Aberdares national park-the African Kenya mountain park The best Kenya safari lodges will often feature good size rooms, a buffet restaurant menu, exotic African safari decoration with themes ranging from the masai artifacts to animal carvings and distinct bright or dull African colours. Most of the four 4 star and 5 five star African safari lodges will have a swimming pool to wash off the dirt from the safari game drives. Masai Mara safari lodges-the African safari Mecca Popularized by the annual wildebeest migration, the Masai Mara hosts over a million tourists in a year. The best safari lodges in the Masai Mara are located in the escarpment to the north of the reserve offering spectacular views of the savannah. These include: * mpata safari club-best African lion safari lodge * Serena Mara lodge- 5 star lion safari in Kenya lodge with astounding views from the raised carved pool * African safari club-all inclusive African safari tour lodge. Other good African Kenya animal safari lodges in the Masai Mara include: * Keekorok safari lodge-luxury Kenya safari tour lodge * Mara intrepids safari camp-good value africam safari tented camp * Governor’s safari camps-best African Kenya safari camp-pricey * Cottar’s hunting safari camp-classic hunting Kenya safari holidays base * Base camp-mid range Kenya safari style tented camp * Olonana safari camp-luxury award winning African ecotourism safari tented camp * Sopa lodge Masai Mara-good Kenya animal safari camp with best view from pool. * Sarova game safari camp-top luxury African safari camp by the river and surrounded by large thorn trees and lush green vegetation. * Riverside camp-good value African safari tour cottages in Masai Mara-offers African wild safari trek in Kenya * Mara simba lodge-the African wilderness safari lodge by the river with a hippo pool * Siana tented camp- top mid range African lion country safari camp by the river. * Simba camp- budget camp located in the best African safari wildlife park of Masai Mara * Acacia camp- budget camp with a African wild animal safari theme in the Masai Mara There are other very good African safari tour lodges in other wild safari parks in Kenya. I have serialized these African Kenya wilderness safari lodges in other articles on this ezine. Enjoy your African Kenya lion country safari in the best safari accommodation!!

Canadian Fishing Trips

The time is now and you are getting ready for a fishing trip to Canada with your friends and coworkers. There are about 15 of you planning to head out and leave your jobs, wives and children behind for an opportunity to go fishing in Canada. Most people think that when men go off on a fishing trip to anywhere whether in Canada or the States, that they are going off to smoke their pipes and cigars, drink beer and tell tall tales to each other. In fact, a Canada fishing trip can be like that, but if you are true sportsman, you are going all that way to actually fish. The opportunity to be out in nature where you can relax and let go of the daily stress you endure with your jobs is just one of the many benefits you will derive. Ever since you were a small boy, you have been fishing in the local river or streams within in your State. Now, you want to have an opportunity to go on a real fishing trip and Canada is your choice for this adventure. You have read that there are more than 100,000 lakes where you can fish for many different species. You can test your wits against salmon, muskie, trout or dozens of other species—all depending upon the location you choose for your Canadian fishing trip. Figure out which type of fish you are interested in catching and then determine which province in Canada can meet your needs. Remember that Canada is much bigger than most people think and your options on where and when to have your Canadian fishing trip are unlimited. Depending on how rugged you want to be, you can plan to camp out in the wilderness, you can rent a full-service recreational vehicle, stay at a lodge or outpost when you go to Canada. They are all geared to helping the sportsmen get the most out of their fishing trip. In fact, if you want to take your family along, many of these options will also work well with the wife and children. You might want to consider hiring an outfitter to help you coordinate the little details you may have not have considered. The outfitter should be able to help you through any bureaucratic rules of the region, obtain fishing licenses and take care of any other little problems that might come up. Remember that your Canadian fishing trip will only be as good as you make it. Be realistic and plan ahead for what you want to do, when you want to do it, and be ready to make adjustments to your plans. Uncooperative weather, fish not biting, or any other problems may pop up. Just try to relax and enjoy yourself and know that this Canadian fishing trip is just the first of many that you will take over the next few years.

Sail the Panama Canal and marvel at this great human achievement

This incredible piece of human engineering, dreamt up by the ambitious King Charles V of Spain, took around 75,000 workers over 10 long years to complete and throughout the construction was beleaguered by a range of problems, from financial bankruptcy, very poor project management and serious outbreaks of malaria that killed many of the workers.

It was eventually finished however, to worldwide applause and with the enormous gratitude of the thousands of ships that still pass through in huge quantities - some paying up to 30,000 dollars for the privilege. The incredible network of dams and locks spans 50 miles at the shortest point between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, allowing ships to cut out an enormous and treacherous stretch of coastline around South America.

The canal is located just 80kms north west of Panama City on the Pacific side and Colon on the Atlantic side. You could have the unique and once-in-a-lifetime chance to jump aboard one of the many fantastic cruise ships and set sail along the length of the canal, preferably between December and April.

Lindblad Expeditions runs the 64 passenger MV Sea Voyager through the canal and then continues along the Pacific coast of stunning Costa Rica. An expedition on board the Sea Voyager around Panama is an adventure replete with rewards thanks to the biological diversity and unique opportunities it presents. Wildlife is plentiful and varied and thanks to the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, it is are the only passenger ship permitted to overnight during the Panama Canal transit to explore Barro Colorado Nature Monument.

Castaway Cay

Castaway Cay - a Private Disney-owned Island in the Bahamas
If you are booked on a Disney Cruise, you will surely stop at Castaway Cay, Disney's own private piece of paradise in the Bahamas. Your day on shore is certainly sure to be a highlight of your trip, as Disney had done everything possible to transform this island into a relaxing getaway for you and your family.

History
The Bahamas were discovered by Christopher Columbus during his first voyage. He called the area "baja mar", which means low or shallow sea, and the name stayed to this day. The British arrived in the 1600s after the Spaniards had left in search of gold, and many British fleeing the American Revolution settled there, along with southerners during the American Civil War. The Bahamas became an independent member of the British Commonwealth in 1973.

Disney purchased the island - formerly known as Gorda Cay - in the 1990s, and spent over $25 million fixing it up, including dredging out the harbor so that the large Disney cruise ships could dock directly on the island without a tender.

Things to Do
There are so many things to do on Castaway Cay - from exhilarating water sports to relaxing cabana massages. Lunch is served right on the island at Cookie's BBQ, so there's no need to stop your fun to refuel. There's also an adult-only lunch served at Castaway Cay Air Bar-B-Q, located at the adult-only beach at Serenity Bay. (There is also a teen-only beach, so there is truly a patch of sand for everyone!) While on the island, rentals are available for bicycles, floats and snorkel gear, and there is also parasailing and banana boat rides to enjoy. Various sports and games - everything from volleyball and shuffleboard to billiards and ping-pong - abound. Disney characters make photo appearances on Castaway Cay, and there is a supervised playground at Scuttle's Cove for the kids.

Getting Around
Getting around Castaway Cay couldn't be easier - you simply walk right off the boat down the path to the beach area - or you can hop on the tram to take you to the main guest areas, or further on to Serenity Bay, the adult-only area.

Weather
They say that it's 'better in the Bahamas', and concerning the weather - they are generally correct! Temperatures in this subtropical area range from about 70-90 degrees Fahrenheit, with warm ocean breezes. Enjoy! - you can't go wrong on Castaway Cay with just some sunscreen and a hat!

Cruise Port of Call: Nassau, Bahamas

The Bahamas were discovered by Christopher Columbus during his first voyage. He called the area “baja mar”, which means low or shallow sea, and the name stayed to this day. The British arrived in the 1600s after the Spaniards had left in search of gold, and many British fleeing the American Revolution settled there, along with southerners during the American Civil War. The Bahamas became an independent member of the British Commonwealth in 1973.

Nassau, the capital city, is located on New Providence Island. There are many historic sights including the Government House, the Queen’s Staircase and the statue of Queen Victoria in Parliament Square.

Things to Do Nassau is a fun port to visit, and you can do everything from swimming with the dolphins to shopping at the Straw Market. You may choose to explore Nassau on your own, or sign up for a shore excursion to the nearby Atlantis resort on Paradise Island. Here is a list of some of the more popular activities in Nassau:

Take a harbor cruise around Nassau harbor;

Enjoy snorkeling or scuba diving in the beautiful coral reefs;

Have a once-in-a-lifetime encounter swimming with dolphins;

Enjoy the beach and casino at Cable Beach or Paradise Island;

Tour the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island, which includes a unique themed aquarium; or

Enjoy a relaxing day shopping on Bay Street for unique items from around the world.

Getting Around

Getting around Nassau is relatively easy, whether you decide upon a shore excursion or to explore on your own. If you are planning on staying in town to enjoy the shops and sights, than a self-guided walking tour may be your best bet. If you are planning to visit the beaches and casinos at either Cable Beach, or across the bridge at Paradise Island, taxis and jitneys are available as you leave the wharf.

Weather
They say that it’s ‘better in the Bahamas’, and concerning the weather – they are generally correct! Temperature in this subtropical area range from about 70-90 degrees Fahrenheit, with warm ocean breezes. Enjoy a beautiful day in the Bahamas!

The Disney Cruise Ships

Disney' cruise ships - the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder - embody the style and spirit of the grand ocean liners of days gone by, coupled with every modern amenity you have come to expect from a premiere cruise line. The two ships are basically identical save for some decorating details - the Wonder is decked out in an Art Nouveau style, while the Magic is fashioned in an Art Deco style - and the names of some of the restaurants and clubs. Both ships incorporate an interesting dining rotation, whereby your tablemates (in fact- the entire dining room full of guests) is rotated through the 3 restaurants along with your servers and wait staff, so that you get to experience a different restaurant each night without sacrificing the careful attention and pampering of having your own servers. And what restaurants they are - Parrots Cay embodies a fun, tropical flavor (and incidentally serves a fabulous breakfast buffet, and Disney characters often drop by unannounced, so be sure to have those cameras and autograph books handy!). Animator's Palate is a most unique restaurant where the décor starts out black, white and grey, but by the end of the meal is a full burst of colors and Disney pictures, all coordinated with a musical soundtrack, and Lumiere's/Triton's, which is an elegant restaurant decorated with beautiful mosaics depicting scenes from The Little Mermaid on the Disney Wonder and Beauty and the Beast on the Disney Magic.

Both ships have a variety of features and activities designed exclusively for the younger set, including a family pool and water slide (fashioned as Mickey's gloved hand), snack bars poolside serving chicken nuggets, French fries and ice cream, a fully-equipped kids 'camp' open 'till midnight with counselors, great activities, play areas and computers, great Disney-themed shoes (including one starring all of the kids onboard, assisted by their counselors), and more characters than you could ever meet at Disney World. All of this attention to the kids certainly doesn't shortchange the adults, who are treated to their own pool and spas, adult-only restaurant (make reservations as soon as you board- Paolo's is a big hit), adult clubs, and even their own beautiful, private cove on the beach at Disney' own Castaway Cay island paradise.

Rooms on the Disney Cruise ships are about 25% larger than comparable rooms on other cruise ships, and many include a unique split 1 1/2 bath, to make getting ready easier for families. There is certainly more food than you could eat or activities you could participate in to fill several cruises, and you'll certainly find yourself wishing that the cruise were longer - or start planning your next cruise before you even disembark!

Travelling with Your Camera

Think positive! The year's not half over, there's still half to go. That is when it comes to Photography Events and Festivals.

At least once a year, all across the country, smalltown America comes together to show their spirit by holding family-friendly festivals.

These events are generally held on a weekend and feature local art, music and culture. And then there are the week long functions, such as the Yamhill Fair and Rodeo, which is held Sunday to Sunday in McMinville, Oregon.
Not only will you FIND local art and cultural here, but you'll want to have your camera handy for those awesome rodeo riders and prizewinning flower entries. But the Photography Events I'm going to acquaint you with now are the ones held in metropolitan areas throughout the world. These functions draw both local and internationally acclaimed artists.

There are several well known events planned for the second half of 2007. Some of these festivals are being held in various cities throughout the United States, one in Canada and two in France.

If you've dreamed of combining a vacation with your love of photography, this may be your chance to do just that. Choose a destination, pack your suitcases and camera bags and head out for the experience of a photographers lifetime.
First on the calendar is the Les Rencontres D'Arles Photographie held in France. Although this has already begun, it runs until September 16. If you are fortunate enough to travel to this phenomenal show, you will encounter 50 magnificent expositions.

Next on our calendar is the Foto Septiembre USA, held every year September 1 - 30 in San Antonio and other Texas cities. This is an International Photography Festival which is a popular destination for both artists and photography enthusiasts. Not only do they provide a forum which allows artist to exhibit their craft, but they also operate through a website and publication. This provides exhibitors, sponsors and advertisers the additional valuable support of internet exposure.

Next
we head north to our Canadian neighbors in Montreal. The Le Mois de la Photo has been held every year since its inception in 1989 to celebrate the 150Th anniversary of photography.
It is dedicated to Fine Art Photography and will feature 30 exhibits in galleries and museums throughout the city. The goal of this event has always been to educate the general public about photography as an art form.
This year's guest curator will be art historian Marie Fraser whose theme will be The Narrativity of The Image, which should prove to be a captivating topic.

Next
we're headed south to Georgia for Atlanta Celebrates Photography, ACP9, held in October. This is a citywide festival which is in its 9Th year. It has art exhibits in diverse locations throughout the city. You will enjoy lectures by international and local artists, a pushpin show, a film series and the public art program. On to The Big Apple and the PhotoPlus International Conference + Expo 2007 being presented October 18 - 20. This is being called the premier event for forward- looking imaging solutions and photographic education. It also promises to bring leaders, pioneers, and rising new stars together for unprecedented networking events. Paris Photo which is considered by many to be the leading fair for still photography will be held this year on November 15-18. It will offer photo enthusiasts some 100 galleries and publishers from all over the world. In addition to the exhibits, there will be book signings, prize award ceremonies and lectures. What could be better than to be in the City of Lights with your camera and other photographic devotees. We wrap up the year in Florida at the Photo Miami scheduled for December 5-9. This International Contemporary Art Fair will be held in the Wynwood Art District of Miami. It focuses on Photo-based art, video and new media. Any one of these Photography Festivals would be a once-in-a-lifetime trip whether you're a hobby photographer or photograph for living. Dust off you your camera bags and hit the road.