Your Guide to an Amazing Hawaiian Vacation

Hawaii: beautiful beaches, perfect weather, amazing surf,
exquisite cuisine, and one of the world\'s favorite places to
visit on a much-needed vacation. Here\'s a quick tour of Hawaii with some highlights,
hotel information and the key to an amazing Hawaii vacation.
Here\'s the secret: find an inexpensive package that will get you
a ticket to the island, a hotel, and a beach tour or restaurant
all in one. Tons of places in Hawaii advertise their business by
packaging with a hotel or airline. Below you\'ll find some good
picks.

First of all, for the golfing enthusiast, you can find the
Unlimited Golfing Package from Prince Resorts Hawaii. On three
Hawaiian islands, you can visit any one of 5 breathtakingly
beautiful golf courses with a total of 99 holes and golf the day
away. With a breakfast buffet included, you can\'t go wrong with
the Prince Resorts Hawaii. Next, you don\'t want to leave Hawaii
without catching one of those famous waves. Pick Ohana Hotels,
and you can \Catch a wave in Hawaii\ over a five night luxurious
stay.

One of the most famous things about a vacation in Hawaii is the
delicious Hawaiian cuisine. For example, Tiki\'s Grill and Bar is
one of those restaurants. With the look and feel of a \'50s or
\'60s Hawaiian tiki bar, this restaurant is a great place to go
for delicious food and a breathtaking view of the beach. For
more information on Hawaii\'s delicious restaurants and
restaurant reviews where visitors talk about their favorite
Hawaiian cuisine, visit www.myhonoluluhi.us.

For those more interested in Hawaii\'s history and archaeology,
visit Bishop Museum, home to more that two million Hawaiian
artifacts. The museum now has a location at Hilton Hawaii
Village Beach Resort, so it is easy to visit and view the
amazing history of the beautiful state of Hawaii. With exhibits
dating back to 400 AD and leading up to Hawaii\'s modern history,
the museum includes weapons, shark teeth, historic sufboards,
and feather lei capes worn by Hawaiian nobility. This is truly a
great tourist site for some unique Hawaiian history.

For more information on Hawaii, including restaurants, movie
times, camping, shopping, and hotels, visit My Hawaii.

Sihanoukville Cambodia a Great Place to Visit.

Sihanoukville Cambodia, a Great Place to Visit.

'Beach town', 'port community', 'fledgling resort destination' -
all describe Sihanoukville, Cambodia's premier beach town.
Sihanoukville's white sand beaches and warm Gulf of Thailand
waters combine with a laid back, beachy atmosphere to provide a
great little tropical getaway. Sihanoukville is a place to
unwind by the beach, enjoy the fresh from-the-ocean seafood,
take in a snorkeling or scuba trip, and generally slow-down, lay
back and chill-out.

Sihanoukville has a different look and feel than most Cambodian
towns. Constructed as a port city in the late 1950s, the town is
much newer, more urban and cosmopolitan than most Cambodian
provincial cities. Nowadays, Sihanoukville is as much a beach
town as it is a port town, catering to beach-going weekenders
from Phnom Penh as well as a steadily increasing number of
foreign visitors. Still, the pace of life in Sihanoukville is
very relaxed. Cows occasionally wander the main road, outside
town foreign faces draw smiles and curious stares, and most of
the beaches offer only beach umbrellas, thatched roofed
eateries, and a growing number of restaurants, bungalows and
hotels.

Sihanoukville has a more than ample supply of accommodations,
including a 5-star resort complex on Sokha Beach, several
mid-range places downtown and at the beaches, a few 'upscale'
three-star hotels, and dozens of great
guesthouses, especially on Ochheuteal Beach. Considering the
moderate number of visitors to Sihanoukville, the town offers a
surprising number and variety of restaurants and bars. Fresh
seafood, especially crab, prawns and ocean fish, has always been
one of the town's biggest draws, but there is also a wide
variety of places offering foreign cuisines - Australian,
French, Indian, German, Sri Lankan, British, Italian, pizza
places, a couple of western bakeries and even a espresso coffee
shop. And these days Sihanoukville offers a pretty good night
life as well with a wide variety of bars staying open well into
the wee hours, especially on Weather Station Hill, in the
downtown area, and the beach bars on Ochheuteal, 'Serendipity'
and Victory Beaches.

While there are no regular flights to Sihanoukville, it is still
pretty easy to get to. Most people travel from Phnom Penh by bus
or taxi (3-4 hours). From the Thai border crossing at Koh Kong,
either ferry (4 hours) or taxi (6 hours) to Sihanoukville.

So come to this great out of the way holiday town and have a
ball without bruising your wallet.!

Attractions of Lisbon

Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and the largest city in the country. Its population comprises about 2,5 millions (with suburbs). This most western European capital lies on the Atlantic Ocean coast at mouth of Tagus River. The history of the city counts nearly 2000 years and for almost 1000 years it\'s the capital of Portugal. The first Portuguese king Alfonso Henriques in 1147 freed Lisbon from Arab invasion and made it a capital. In 1256 Royal Court moved here. Soon Lisbon has become one of the most powerful and flourishing European cities. It reached the highest peak of its bloom in XV-XVII centuries. Then it was the major European transit point and commercial city.

The historical center of Lisbon lies on seven hills. The city is full of steep slopes and rises. It\'s the only city where elevator can take you from one street to another.

Now Lisbon is experiencing its \second birth\, again becoming one of the \golden cities\ of the Southern Europe. The renovation of Lisbon began in 1990s. Among new projects we could name Vasco da Gama Bridge, connecting the airport with the centre of the city and the Eastern Railway station. The station is built according to the project of the Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. It stands on the eastern Tagus bank and connects Lisbon with the rest of Europe.

Lisbon is the authentic jewel in the crown of the Portuguese cities. The city charms with its churches, castles, medieval streets and museums. Among main Lisbon attractions there are Belem Tower, Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, Alfama, St George\'s Castle, Lisbon Cathedral and Terreiro do Paco.

Belem Tower looks more like a miniature castle. It is situated close to the bank of the River Tagus. It was established in 1515 as both a monument to Portuguese maritime discoveries and to protect the mouth of the river. The construction of Mosteiro dos Jeronimos started by King Dom Manuel I in 1502. It was aimed to emphasize Portuguese importance as a world power at the time and more to celebrate Vasco da Gama\'s discovery of a sea route to India.

Alfama is the old part of Lisbon, still beautifully picturesque with narrow, winding streets and old, overhanging buildings.

Majestic St George\'s Castle was a home to the kings and queens of Portugal until the 16th century. From the mighty ramparts of this formerl fortress opens a spectacular view of Lisbon.

Lisbon Cathedral was originally founded by Portugal\'s first king Dom Afonso Henriques in 1150 to commemorate the defeat of the Moors and presents a beautiful mix of Gothic and Romanesque architectural styles.

Terreiro do Paco used to be the royal palace until it was demolished by the disastrous earthquake of 1755. It is now Lisbon\'s largest open space, with government buildings built around the perimeter.

Lisbon coast stretches from Tejo mouth to the beaches of Alentejo, from the modern metropolis to the picturesque fishing villages.

For booking a hotel, please, go to Lisbon hotels page.

International Cruises: What To Expect When You Get Off The Boat

Taking a cruise to a foreign country can be a new and exciting experience if you have never traveled abroad. There are plenty of new sights to see and things to try, but there are also dangers that nave travelers must be aware of. When traveling internationally there are a number of things to take into consideration that will make your vacation even more enjoyable.



When traveling internationally on a cruise it might be a good idea to invest in travel insurance. Not only does travel insurance protect you from any unexpected cancellations, which can be important since cruises abroad can be more costly than domestic rates, but travel insurance can come in handy in other ways as well. Before leaving check into your medical insurance plan to find out if you are covered in foreign countries. Some insurance plans do not cover medical expenses in foreign countries and in some cases insurance plans are not accepted by foreign hospitals. In case of medical emergency while you are away, travel insurance policies can be purchased to cover any unforeseen medical costs that may occur while you are traveling.



Make sure you get to the boat early. In today's world, there are a number of security precautions and safety measures that are taken before you are allowed to board any mode of public transportation. This means that you will need plenty of time to check your bags and get through security before your boat leaves. If you end up having a little extra time before you board your cruise, most shipping docks have areas where travelers can wait for their cruises to leave. It is better to have a little extra time than to miss your boat. Also, be sure to have your boarding pass and passport handy so you can get them checked quickly and easily rather than having to search through your bags for them.



If you are traveling abroad for the first time, beware of scams that many international travelers unfortunately fall prey to. There are a number of smalltime thieves that lurk in areas where cruise ships dock, waiting to make unsuspecting passengers their next victims. Make sure to keep your bags in sight at all times, to avoid getting anything stolen. Also, be sure to only keep items you will really need in your wallet during your trip. Try not to carry a lot of unnecessary items with you. It is also a good idea to lock all baggage that you bring with you.



It is a smart idea to make copies of all important documents before your trip. You should make photocopies of your passport, credit cards, medical prescriptions, and your medical insurance information. Photocopying your credit cards will allow you to have images of them if they happen to be lost or stolen during your trip. You will have the numbers, expiration dates and the phone number to call if you do misplace them. By copying medical prescriptions you are able to have the information for any medications you might need during your trip. Medication bottles are small and can easily be misplaced. It is important to always have your medical insurance information with you in case of any medical emergencies. Of course, as previously mentioned, you should make sure that your medical insurance fully covers any medical expenses in other countries before departing on your trip. If it does not cover you, travel insurance might be a smart choice for you.



Make sure you know the currency conversions between American dollars and the currency of the country you are visiting. Make sure you are visiting places that will accept your credit cards or make certain that you have enough local currency on you for any expenses. You will also want to look into places to exchange your currency. Different places offer different rates of conversion. Banks are typically the best bet, as they usually offer the best rates. However, it is smart to look into this and do some research before your trip. Another option is traveler's checks, which can be purchased from your local bank prior to your trip, and can be used anywhere.



The most important tip for people planning to travel abroad is to have fun and enjoy the trip. For most people it is not everyday that they get to visit a foreign country, so try your best to take in as many sights as possible and don't forget your camera.

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com

Jessica is a travel bug and reports her adventures on her www.travelbloghome.com.

The Australian Outback: So Where Or What Exactly Is The Outback?

Travellers visit Australia to see Sydney, the Rock, the Reef... and the Australian Outback.

To prepare a travel itinerary, make reservations for accommodations, book the flights and so on... well, you need to know where to fly to, don\'t you?

Where exactly is this Australian Outback? Or what is it?

To understand the Australian Outback you need to know that Australia is one of the most urbanized countries in the world. Our population is concentrated in the cities along the southern and eastern coast, or not far from it.

We have historically been clinging to the greener fringes of this continent, and been somewhat afraid of the red and dry interior.

As a result the rest of the country is more or less empty: 6.5 million square kilometres (or 2.5 million square miles), inhabited by less than 60,000 people... That\'s the Australian Outback.

\The Australian Outback\ is not an exact location. The term Outback is used to describe the emptiness, remoteness, and the huge distances of inland Australia, and the fact that most people still don\'t know much about it.

So maybe, rather than asking to \see the Outback\, investigate the different Outback attractions, or the different options to travel across part of the Australian Outback. Help your travel agent help you, by being more specific about what you want to see or do.

Here are some ideas:

Ayers Rock and Alice Springs

An obvious choice. The most popular Outback icon, and the town known as \the capital of the Outback\. Ayers Rock and Alice Springs are located in the middle of the Australian continent, a long drive from anywhere. Both have an airport, accommodations and many tour providers. Flying is recommended to save time. You will get to see the spectacular red interior. However, you will not really experience the vastness, the distances, the \feel\ of the Outback. What you will experience are lots and lots of other tourists...

Coober Pedy

A surreal place. The South Australian opal mining town is one long day\'s drive from Adelaide. Vast treeless plains continue forever.... If you\'ve seen the movie Mad Max you\'ve already seen them. The town and surrounds possess a desolate beauty that fascinates some, and appals others. But what sparks everybody\'s curiosity is that a lot of the town is actually underground, a good way to escape the heat. Underground hotel, underground pool, underground shops and backpackers... and of course there are opals everywhere!

Stuart Highway

When people talk about driving through the Australian Outback they often mean the Stuart Highway. An excellent bitumen road with many services along the way, it will take you from Adelaide in the south, via Coober Pedy, Ayers Rock (on a detour), Alice Springs and Katherine, to Darwin in the north. The Katherine Gorge and Kakadu national parks can be visited on the way, too.) A great drive, period.

The Kimberley

The far north western corner of the Australian continent has been called the Outback of the Australian Outback, it\'s so remote. Intense colours, stunning rock formations, spectacular gorges and waterfalls... The drive across the Kimberley, from Darwin in the north to Broome on the west coast, is the most beautiful drive in all of Australia. Bring some time!

The Deserts

Think Outback, think desert. Great Victorian Desert, Gibson Desert, Great Sandy Desert or Tanami to name a few. All of them can be traversed if you are adventurous, but you need to know what you are doing. Don\'t be fooled by names like Tanami Highway or Gunbarrel Highway. These aren\'t highways. To cross any of the Australian deserts is a serious four wheel drive adventure, unless you join a tour.

There are many more ways to experience a bit of Australian Outback: The Goldfields or the Pilbara in Western Australia, Bourke and Broken Hill in New South Wales, Mt. Isa in Queensland... No matter where you are, there will be some Outback attraction within reach.

And you don\'t have to venture all that far to find Outback roads, Outback pubs, and Outback characters. Sometimes it\'s as easy as NOT going where the tourism brochures are trying to lead you...

B. Bradtke is the founder and editor of the Outback Australia Travel Guide. Her site specializes in off beat travel away from the tourist crowds. Visit it to find detailed information, photos and insider tips for travel in the Australian Outback.

Heightened Airport Security

SURVIVING AIRPORT SECURITY What to expect at the airport

By Laura Quarantiello 2002 Tiare Publications 349 words

The new airport security rules, instituted in the wake of the
September 11 tragedies, are not only causing longer lines and
more delays, they\'re also confusing travelers. How many bags can
I carry aboard? Are golf clubs considered weapons now? What
about nail clippers? Will airport screeners be searching every
nook and cranny of my bags? Do I really have to show up two
hours early for my flight? The anxiety is enough to make you
take the train. Here are some answers to help you out.

Yes, your nail clippers will be confiscated. The airlines have
tightened the rules on what is considered a potential weapon.
Nail clippers (with metal file), pocket knives, razors,
scissors, and even corkscrews now make the list of no-no\'s.
Leave these in your checked baggage or at home. Don\'t try to
bring golf clubs or ski poles aboard, either; they won\'t be
allowed in the passenger cabin.

Only one carry-on per person. The FAA is restricting the number
of bags you can carry aboard to one, plus one personal item like
a purse or briefcase. Don\'t try to take more, it will just cause
a longer delay.

Increased security means everything gets searched. Your carry-on
luggage will be opened and inspected for contraband. To speed
things up, pack everything within your luggage in clear plastic
bags or in see-through containers. Make sure radios or computers
have fresh batteries installed in case screeners want to test
them. And watch out when carrying baby powder or other powdered
materials like vitamins or baby formula; some airlines are
turning these away.

Always arrive early. As air travel returned to normal in the
days following the terrorist attacks, delays of up to two hours
were not uncommon. Things are running a bit smoother now, but
always leave a little extra time, just in case. All it takes is
one small problem to hold up the entire line. So allow at least
an hour for all flights, an hour and a half or even two hours is
better.

(end)

-

How We Experienced The Passions of Roman Life.

We haven't met... yet, and until now you wouldn't know that I
make part of my living by writing about the city of Rome, its
people, passions, food, sport, history and culture. In fact, I
own a web site called Lets-Travel-Rome.com, which kinda happened
by happy accident after I visited this great city with my Wife -
one anniversary, some time ago.

If you've ever had the opportunity to travel to Rome, you'll
probably already know about the fervour and passion of its
people, who can get themselves into a convincing frenzy over
virtually anything that happens in daily life.

I had the chance to be in the city during the 2004 European
Football Championships, at a time when the national team were
heavily dependant on the form and talent of one Francesco Totti,
Rome's favorite footballing son, whose image cannot be avoided
wherever you look!

Here is a God-Like figure, who Romans pin their hearts and hopes
upon, every time he appears for the Azzuri (the national
squad) or their beloved Roma (the capitals leading team for many
years). It's almost impossible to purchase a Roma team shirt
without the Totti name emblazoned on its back, and his power
over advertising media can clearly be appreciated by the range
of products he is able to endorse succesfully around the cities
poster sites.

You can probably imagine the atmosphere found in the streets
during these crucial championship matches. The whole place
draped with flags and banners, windows thrown open, filling the
roads with the sounds of urgent cheering and disappointed groans.

Suddenly, we were taken by surprise, and Italy had scored a
goal! A massive uprising was taking place all around us, and the
waiter at our streetside cafe was off... running in triumphant
circles around the middle of the road. Cars were hooting, people
were leaning out of their windows to cheer and share in the
chaos, and normal life was suspended for several minutes whilst
the Romans celebrated their modern day gladiators success.

About half an hour later we became aware of an eary silence, and
the unthinkable had happened without our realisation. The
opposing team had scored an equalising goal, putting Italy out
of the final stages of the competition, and a grave period of
mourning was about to begin. Our waiter leaned listlessly
against the side wall of our cafe, all interest in activity
drained from his body... best get the bill and get out of here,
we thought.

The next days papers carried furious reviews of the nights
failings, and we couldn't find anyone who wanted to discuss
their dashed pride with mere tourists like us. Mr Totti stilled
smiled down on us, as we continued to stroll around the deflated
city, but we suspected his pulling power was sharply dimished
that day.

But, this was Rome, and before our break was spent, the old
passions were rising to the surface once more. Roma were to open
the new season with a derby match against the Old Enemy, Lazio,
and the rivalry between the two sets of fans is intense. The two
teams share the Stadio Olimpico, which has a capacity of 100,000
screaming fans... the modern version of The Coloseum, or The
Circus Maximus, we thought!

That's all for now. In my next article, I'll explain more of my
travel tips for your time in Rome.

Best wishes for a great vacation,

Les Sheppard

When Traveling Abroad Use Your EQ

What do you do when you don\'t know the language or customs?
That\'s when your EQ, or Emotional Intelligence, comes in handy.

On my recent tour to Russia, the people in large cities (Moscow,
Saint Petersburg) knew English, but not in the small villages
(Yaroslavl, Uglich).

I thought I\'d pick up Russian quickly, but I didn\'t for several
reasons: 1.Jet Lag turns your thinking brain (neocortex) to mush
2.You can\'t \picture\ the words because the Russian alphabet is
Cyrillic; i.e., Catherine the Great\'s initial is \E\ because in
Russian, it\'s Ecaterina. 3.Russian\'s not a \Romance language\.
The sounds and cadence aren\'t familiar. They have sounds that
don\'t exist in English. 4.Russian people are courteous and
quietly charming, but they\'re conscientious workers who stay
focused. They\'d also rather improve their English than teach you
Russian. 5.They\'re reserved in public so you don\'t hear a lot of
words. When I said, \Good morning\ in Russian, I\'d get back,
\Good morning.\ Silence.

RELY ON YOUR NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION.

One thing I did was exaggerate my expression (pleading) and
gestures (2 fingers for $2), and put some warmth in my eyes.
Fear is contagious; so is trust. Their expressions, when
revealed, were quite recognizable, i.e., a shrug, breaking
eye-contact when they\'ve made their last offer.

SCARY BABUSHKA

In museums such as the Hermitage or the Armory, older women sit
in a chair in each room. It\'s their job to make sure no one
touches anything.

When the Ugly American (Paul) in our tour group touched a
curtain in Peterhof, the Russian grandmother (babushka) sprang
to her feet with a thud, clapped her hands twice, loudly, then
advanced toward Paul shaking her finger and barking Russian. We
didn\'t need to understand the words.

INTERPRETATION PLEASE

But what did this mean in this country? Was Paul going to
Siberia? How could we find out?

One of the things our mother does is interpret for us. A
well-known experiment involves researchers placing a baby on a
Plexiglas shield resting across a high table. When the baby
crawls to the edge of the visual drop, he\'s. It feels solid but
looks like a precipice. So he looks over to his Mom to find out
what he\'s supposed to do, which mean finding out how he\'s
supposed to feel. If she looks happy, he proceeds. If she looks
scared, he stops.

So we turned to Leo, our Russian guide, to see how serious this
was. Leo was laughing and relaxed. A young man with much EQ, he
quickly put his arm around the Russian women, turning her away
and soothing her. How? Babushkas all over the world are soft on
young men.

CATCHING ON QUICK IS ANOTHER EQ COMPETENCY

- We were warned about the gypsies - such faces, such gestures.
Ann, who thought they were \sweet\ and didn\'t listen, got
pickpocketed. - When you accept the flowers the youths give you
in the villages, it isn\'t a gift. They will haunt you with looks
until you fork over some money. - You\'ll quickly see the
shopkeepers expect to bargain. They name a price and then pause,
expectantly. - How susceptible are you to \beautiful lady\?
Vendors everywhere know those words in English. - Who can resist
a child? Here\'s Katya hustling my sister -
http://www.theintrovertzcoach.com/islands4.html at Svir Stroy. -
It\'s officially illegal for Russians to accept American dollars.
Quickly you\'ll learn they all do. Just as long as you don\'t ask.
(It isn\'t illegal to give dollars.) - Customs officials
worldwide have a crummy job. A smile goes a long way with them.

WHAT\'S THE CUSTOM?

You never know. A street vendor in Saint Petersburg caught my
eye and the following took place, without any words. I \asked\
if I could take his photo. He was flattered and agreed. I took
his photo, then offered him $2. He shook his head no, no. I laid
the bills on his tray of matroyshkas. He pocketed the $2,
smiling, then handed me a doll and hugged me.

TELLTALE SIGNS OF REAL LIFE

What\'s it like? Check out the condition of the vulnerable -- the
children, the dogs, and the seniors.

The children were all healthy, tall, muscular and well-dressed.
(http://www.theintrovertzcoach.com/Moscow%20Park%20girl%20playing
%203.jpg ). I never saw a parent disciplining a child, or any
need for it. Evidently their whole life they hold their mother\'s
hand when walking-like up to age 60.

Check out the playground at Moscow\'s North Terminal Park
(http://www.theintrovertzcoach.com/Moscow%20Park%20playground%20f
or%20kids.jpg ) and see how much they care about their kids.

The Babushkas were cheerful and healthy looking
(http://www.webstrategies.cc/nancyandbabushka.jpg ).

You\'ve never seen such shiny-coated, healthy, well-fed dogs and
cats.

TROMP L\'OEIL

That means, in French, fooling the eyeanother reality check.
There were two incidents of tromp l\'oeil I\'ll mention.

First, look at this Moscow apartment building:
http://www.theintrovertzcoach.com/Moascow%20apartment%20building.
jpg . Looks like a slum tenement, doesn\'t it? \No,\ laughed our
guide, Toma. \We don\'t take care of the outside of buildings
here. There are luxury apartments in there 2200 sq. ft.\

Second, here is Catherine\'s Palace
(http://www.hum.utah.edu/languages/images/photos/rusphoto32.jpg
). When you arrive in Moscow, you think the buildings are huge.
They are huge, but there\'s something else going on, because
you\'ve seen huge buildings before. What they do is build with
standard-sized bricks, then plaster over them, them paint them
with marks as if they were made of bricks 4x the standard size.
Perception warp!

PRIMAL FEAR

Here\'s an incident that called for some quick EQ. We were
walking in Moscow\'s Harbor Park where there were lots of
families. I became enchanted with a little girl of about 2, with
curls all over her head, and before I knew it, she ran to me,
jumped into my arms and gave me a hug and a kiss. Meanwhile, out
of the corner of my eyes I could see two agitated parents
closing in on me from either side.

This is reptilian brain -- fear of strangers, protecting your
children, territory. Look out!

What would you do? Read more about this and other anecdotes in
my eBook, \Using Your Emotional Intelligence When Traveling
Abroad.\ ( http://www.webstrategies.cc/ebooklibrary.html )

EQ is truly a universal language!

A Honeymoon In The Mountains Is Best But Watch Out

If you're looking for the best honeymoon possible, then you need to consider the Smokey Mountains as your destination.

Don't get a motel room or stay in Gatlinburg. Find a cabin to rent that has all the amenities of a 5 star hotel but in the serenity, solitude and secrecy of the mountains.

My family and I just had one of the most awesome and relaxing vacations ever and we spent it in a cabin that was fully furnished. It had a pool table, 2 indoor jacuzzis and an 2 person hot tub on the deck overlooking the mountains.

The cabin we stayed in would sleep 8 so there will be more than enough space for two. While we were there we saw wild turkeys, deer, a wild peacock and scorpions.

Now when I say cabin, don't think for one minute that this was a cabin like the old settlers used to call home. This cabin was more like a luxury vacation home than a log cabin. The price range for the cabin was from $130-160 per night with a 2 night minimum and a price break if you stay more than 3 nights.

Cabins are located all over the area, so it pays to shop around, but almost all of the cabins are located within 15 minutes of the main highway and 25 minutes from the Great Smokey Mountain National Park. You are close to true outlet malls as well.

The Smokey Mountains offer some of the best times and places to create lasting memories with the love of your life. Make sure you take a hike to one of the many waterfalls and be certain to do a horseback ride.

The best deals on cabins are found on the internet. Do a search for Smokey Mountain cabins and you'll get more results than you know what to do with.

Our cabin was rented from Fireside Cabins and Chalet rental. They can be found on the internet with a websearch.

The weather in the Smokies is fairly mild, even in the winter and you'll really enjoy your honeymoon there!

About The Author

Carlingue Demontagne is the manager and developer of Any Honeymoon which is an awesome site on the internet to learn more about planning a honeymoon. To learn more about visiting the Smokies, please visit my website at: http://www.anyhoneymoon.com.

A Quick Guide To Climbing Mount Kinabalu Sabah Malaysia Bo

The majestic and awe-inspiring Mount Kinabalu is one of the premier destinations for thousands of visitors to Sabah, Malaysian Borneo each year. Kinabalu National Park, a designated World Heritage Site, boasts an estimated 4,500 species of plants which includes 1,500 species of orchids, 77 of which are endemic to Kinabalu, Nepenthes pitcher plants, and the Rafflesia, the largest flower in the world. The Park also supports 289 species of birds and 290 different types of butterflies.

Besides being the highest peak in Borneo and the whole of South East Asia (between Irian Jaya and the Himalayas to be exact), and the youngest non-volcanic mountain in the world, Mount Kinabalu is extremely climber-friendly and compared to other much lower mountains around the world, Mount Kinabalu is an ideal first mountain for novice mountain trekkers to conquer.

The standard climb up Mount Kinabalu is via the Kinabalu Summit Trail at Kinabalu National Park (~1,560m above sea level). The first ascent is from the starting point at Timpohon Gate, about 4km or 30 minutes drive from the Kinabalu National Park Headquarter.

If you prefer to start the ascent on Day 1, it is advisable to arrive at the Park late morning the latest or else, depending on the weather, the Park may not allow you to do the first ascent due to hazardous condition (i.e., the fog may be too thick by late evening causing visibility problems and/or the trail may be extremely slippery).

Most climbers prefer to stay overnight at Kinabalu National Park upon arrival to not only acclimatize to the altitude but also to enjoy the magnificent flora and fauna at the Park before the assault on the next day/morning.

The first ascent is from Timpohon Gate just after the Power Station up to the mid-summit Laban Rata Resthouse (or more popularly known as the 11,000 ft or ~3,873m). You will first follow the crest of a narrow ridge that dips down onto the main slopes of Mount Kinabalu itself. A little further on, you will reach a scenic waterfall known as Carson's Falls, named after the first Warden of the Park. Don't forget to take a sip and fill your water bottles with the fresh natural mountain water.

Conservatively, it should take a normal fit person an average 5-6 hours to reach Laban Rata. Participants at the annual Mount Kinabalu Climbathon competition went all the way up to 13,400ft (4092.5m above sea level) and back in 2 hours. But it is not really about how fast you can reach the top. It is about the experience of trekking pass different vegetation zones from Oak and Chestnut to mossy and eventually to alpine type of vegetations, and observing the rare and exotic flora and fauna on the way up.

Besides the heated Laban Rata Resthouse, the other option for climbers is to stay at the unheated mountain huts. There is actually another accommodation option at the so-called VIP Lodge, which is more expensive compared to the others and also, more difficult to secure (i.e., only two such units available).

After a short night rest to recharge your battery, the second and more grueling phase will commence early morning on Day 2, at about 2 am to 3 am. The second ascent will be from the mid-summit all the way to the summit, which is called Low's Peak, named after the British colonial officer Sir Hugh Low, supposedly, the first person to conquer Mt. Kinabalu.

The ascent should normally take a few hours but it is much more challenging than the initial ascent due to the thinner air near the summit. But near the peak on the granite portion of the ascent, there will be a thick nylon rope laid down to mark the route so that climbers will not get lost in the fog. You can use this rope to pull your tired body up.

Although, to reach the summit is already an achievement, it is best to target, if possible, to reach the summit just before sunrise to catch the awesome sight. If you reached too early, it will be too freezing cold to wait too long for the sunrise. On a good clear weather, the sky seemingly turns from black to red then orange and finally gold as the sun appears. When daylight breaks, you will truly feel that you are standing on top of the world. You can see as far as Kudat and even Sandakan if the weather permits.

One important tip is to make reservation early. Given the popularity of the Mount Kinabalu climb nowadays, it is advisable to book at least 3-4 months in advance (or even much earlier during the peak season usually around mid-year) to avoid any disappointment.

This is mainly due to the limited accommodation at the mid-summit (i.e., Laban Rata Resthouse, Mountain Huts or the VIP Lodge). In the event that there is no accommodation at the mid-summit, the climb will not be possible as strictly stipulated in the National Park's rules and regulations. Additionally, a mountain guide is compulsory.

In essence, Mount Kinabalu is relatively an easy mountain to climb. There is not much risk of acute mountain sickness at the first phase of climbing. Given climber-friendliness of the mountain, conquering the mountain must be high in your list of activities to do if you were to visit Sabah. For the average fit person, a visit to Borneo will not be complete without conquering Mount Kinabalu.

About the Author

e-borneo.com is a Borneo travel gateway, trip advisor, and tour intermediary for the best and cost-effective custom/full-package Borneo holiday deals to Malaysia Borneo and Brunei. Check out one of the Mount Kinabalu tour itineraries at http://www.e-borneo.com/travel/tours/eb-kk14.html or visit http://www.e-borneo.com/ for more tour options.

Charming and Historic Cape May New Jersey

Located at the southern most tip of the state of New Jersey, Cape May is a historic seashore town, a bird lover\'s dream come true, and a fisherman\'s paradise all wrapped up into a popular vacation destination. Let\'s take a look at this noted community located at the point where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Delaware Bay.

Named for the Dutch explorer Cornelius Jacobsen Mey [spelling later changed to May, the town became America\'s first seashore resort in 1761. During the 1800s the community rose to fame as it quickly became one of the country\'s top vacation destinations. Indeed, hundreds of \Victorian style\ homes were built in the town and most of these homes still stand today. In fact, no other locale in the USA boasts as many Victorian homes as does Cape May.

To appreciate the history of the area, visitors are encouraged to stop by the Greater Cape May Historical Society, which is located at the Colonial House Museum on Washington Street, right behind City Hall. The historical society features varying exhibits of local historical interest; a visit to the society will rouse your appetite to explore the resort in detail.

The resort is best traversed on foot, which will allow you to take in all the bed and breakfast establishments [which consist of some of the most charming of the Victorian homes, inns, shops and restaurants, as well as taking a stroll on the boardwalk and beaches. In the height of the summer tourist season, foot traffic oftentimes goes faster than automobile traffic so go ahead and get into your walking shoes and prepare to take in the sites and the salty air on foot.

Birders flock to the cape at all times of the year as the area boasts a phenomenal and varied bird population. During the Spring and again in the Fall, members of the National Audubon Society gather together for workshops, boat trips, field trips, bird viewing, and more. Because of its unique position on the east coast, Cape May attracts a stunning variety of migratory birds including hawks, owls, and peregrine falcons. Without a doubt there are few places on earth as popular for bird enthusiasts. When not viewing birds you can take in Cape May\'s Lighthouse which still features an operating beacon!

Fishermen are attracted to the area because of the variety of species you can catch. Striped bass, bluefish, and weakfish are all in abundance while white perch, sea trout, herring, croakers, and sea bass are plentiful too. There are ample amounts of tidal creeks and rivers offering access to avid fishermen as well as jetties, inlets, docks and bridges, back bays, sod banks, the ocean, and the Delaware Bay. You can charter a boat for some good quality deep sea fishing as well.

Nearby attractions to Cape May include historic Cold Spring Village, a remake of communities that existed in the area during the 1800s; Cape May County Park and Zoo, featuring over one hundred species of wildlife; the Wildwoods, a thriving resort community just four miles north of the cape; and Avalon and Stone Harbor, fine resort communities between the Wildwoods and Ocean City.

Cape May, New Jersey is located just south of where the Garden State Parkway begins. Visit the Cape May Times\' website for up to the moment resort information and links: http://www.capemaytimes.com/.

Matt enjoys the sea as well as the mountains. When not traveling to either, Matt looks heavenward and manages busy aviation websites including his popular Corporate Flight Attendant Community located at http://www.corporateflyer.net.

Cornish Miners Brought More to America Mining than Mining Skills

Mining skills are not the only thing brought to America by Cornish miners. It seems that the Tommyknockers hitched a ride over with their mining pals.

A Tommyknocker is a little elf-like creature, who lives in mines. They have the ability to walk though walls and disappear at will. While they may be mischievous, stealing miners belongings and such prankishness, they are basically benevolent to miners and, while a bit spooky, are welcome guests in the mines.

It has long been thought that the tappings and other such noises on mine walls, on beams, and in shafts are due to the Tommyknockes. Miners have long recognized these noises as the Tommyknocker\'s way of signaling impending danger to the miners. There are few, if any, mining areas which are free from legends of Miners who have heeded these warnings and been saved from disaster. Some legends go even further and recant instances in which miners in trouble have actually been saved by the Tommyknockers.

If you are ever wandering around in mining territory, and hear rapping coming from inside of a mine tunnel or shaft, you don\'t need to be scared of the little fellows. It is a good idea, however, to vacate the area you hear the rapping coming from immediately as they might be trying to send you a warning.

2005 Sally Taylor: Sal is an avid gem and treasure hunter, explorer, writer, and is the owner of http://www.rockhoundstation1.com

Mexican Living: Sidewalk Rules

If I had to point to just one cross-cultural similarity between Mexico and America, it would be this: How they walk on sidewalks. They do it absolutely the same way!

You are going to think this so strange but I have a pet peeve about how to walk on a sidewalk. The fact that Mexicans and Americans do it the same identical way drives me insane. Strange as this sounds you have to listen to this:

If walking is the chosen mode of transportation, whether on a public sidewalk or in a shopping mall, doesn\'t it make sense to have \walking rules\? There are driving rules that one has to employee to keep from killing themselves and everyone else around them when driving, so why not \walking rules\? The point is that without rules there is nothing but chaos.

No matter what country you are in, here is what you will always see: People walking in family groups, all holding hands, and stretched across the entire sidewalk! Moreover, with Mexicans, this can mean a dozen or more family members all wanting to hold hands and take up the entire sidewalk.

They may do all manner of maddening behaviors. I\'ve been behind large family groups walking at a snail\'s pace who suddenly stop for no reason and just stand there. Or they may suddenly have a family picnic and maybe roast a pig. Someone usually whips out a packed lunch and starts handing out sandwiches to the whole group. A family conference with the father lecturing is not an unusual sight. Sometimes they will start taking family pictures of 14 generations right there in front of you.

In addition, get this: Mexican cannot just agree to say,

\Ok, let\'s split up and meet at the fountain at 2 o\'clock.\

Oh no! They have to have an elaborate good-bye ceremony with the mother pronouncing blessings on all the children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and any one else who is just standing there or happens to be walking byrelated to her or not! Then there is the kissing! Everyone has to kiss and get kissed multiple times. Augh!

This is insane because they act as though there is no one else in the world but himself or herself walking on the sidewalk. This isn\'t so bad in a shopping mall in America. At least you can walk around them and give them a menacing glare. However, in Guanajuato, or other small Mexican Colonial towns, the sidewalks are about 24-inches wide and some will narrow to even less around corners.

And that women will try to push a baby carriage down these sidewalksdon\'t even get me started on that little gem!

Here\'s what should be the rules of proper sidewalk etiquette:

Walk in a single file one way or the other. Melt into the thread of people and forget holding hands with your loved one.

Use hand signals. Just like in a car, if you are going to turn left or right, signal with your hands.

If you need to talk, lecture, take pictures, roast a pig and eat it, get off the sidewalk!

Carry your baby in your arms. Forget baby strollers. Imagine your poor child in this thing being rolled over cobblestone sidewalks. It will only make them have enormous bowel movements from the vibrations!

Follow these rules if for no other reason than someone like me is more than likely walking behind you having a nervous breakdown over your sidewalk walking habits.

Do it for me!

Doug Bower is a freelance writer and book author. His most recent writing credits include The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Houston Chronicle, and The Philadelphia Inquirer, and Transitions Abroad. He lives with his wife in Guanajuato, Mexico.

His new book, Mexican Living: Blogging it from a Third World Country, can be seen at http://www.lulu.com/content/126241

Travel Journals

Travel Journals By Doreene Clement

www.the5yearjournal.com info@the5yearjournal.com

Are you off to a vacation adventure this summer? Have you ever
kept a travel journal, diary, or diaries?

A travel journal is where you write about your personal, family
and/or business travels. It can be a separate journal where you
record your experiences, details, and even your feelings about
your travels, creating a written record of each trip. You can
also record your travels, if you already journal, in your
existing journal. Just indicate that this is a record of your
travels -- That can be accomplished by using a separate color of
pen.

You can record

Your feelings and experiences.

All the locations you visited. You can include a map or draw a
map.

The miles and time to travel from location to location.

Who you were with.

Who you met.

What you wore.

Would you go back? Why? What do you want to see?

Where you stayed? You can keep the address, phone numbers,
names, etc.

What you ate? Again record the address, etc., so you can find it
again.

What you saw?

Daily travel experiences, and expenses.

Favorites-hotels, campgrounds, restaurants, locations, etc.

The funniest thing that happened.

The most difficult thing that happened.

In your travel journal you can add photos, receipts,
memorabilia, maps, drawings, menus, any items that you want to
add, and that fit the space you have.

Travel Journals for the Children

A great tool to involve the whole family is to create a travel
journal for the children. They can use a notebook and record the
same items that you did, writing what their experiences were.
They can also write a story telling what they experienced each
day. You can create a game for them where they count the cows
they see, other children they met, or towns, etc., keeping that
information in their journal.

Use the idea of a travel journal to keep a written record of all
your travels, all those adventures.

Copyright Doreene Clement All Rights Reserved