traveling articles

India

India is a country where you will see everything you can imagine. More importantly, everything you will see will be intense. You will not see a beggar, you will see millions of them. You will not see a beautiful beach, you will see the most beautiful beaches in the world. Places of wealth are so over the top you’ll be stunned. The shanty towns of the poor, on the other hand, will set you back on your heals.

India is the one place you can visit and come away completely enthralled and disgusted at the same time. If your idea of traveling is sitting in a posh hotel, India has such resorts but you’ll be unable to avoid the less attractive areas. If you prefer to get out and take in a culture that is completely alien to your own, you will never find a better place than India.

India is really a number of countries within a political boundary. The south of India is entirely different than the north. The same goes for the east and west. If you don’t like the place you’re in, just get on a train for a day or two and you’ll be in a completely different world.

One of the biggest traveler complaints about India is the poverty. In truth, it is bad. There is simply no way around the fact. Whatever you have previously seen, wherever you have previously gone, nothing matches the poverty in India. The shanty towns are large cities and the conditions are less than ideal. To get a first hand account, I suggest you read the excellent book, “Shantaram”, by Gregory David Roberts. Roberts lived in one of the shanty towns for years while on the run from the law. The book is tremendous and gives you a different perspective on the poverty situation. Regardless, you will have problems dealing with the poverty in India. It can ruin your trip if you’re not careful.

If you’re considering visiting India, you need to accept the fact that life is different there and you need to come to grips with this before you go. In truth, India is an incredibly captivating country of beauty, stunning sites and incredibly funny people.]]>

India varies a lot from north to south and from east to west. One life is not enough to know all the secrets of the country. What to do if you have only few weeks? Of course you would like to see all the best, the quintessential of India. Usual tourist routs can be divided into 3 kinds – resort (Goa, Kerala), excursion (so called Golden Triangle) and mountain trip to Himalayas. It’s hard to combine all these routes in one single trip, but it’s possible if you have time, money and health! It surely promises to be the experience you never forget.
The main cities of the Golden Triangle are Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, but if you choose this route you also visit other cities, lying on the way.
Delhi, the capital of India firstly strikes the western traveler with its noise, dirt and smell. However, when throw away it, you see that this city hides a lot of treasures really worth visiting. With a population of about 14 millions, Delhi is a huge metropolis with all its advantages and disadvantages. Being an ancient city Delhi has a lot of traces of its past. A mix of cultures and religions is reflected in its architectural heritage. The Jama Mazjid of the walled city is an example of Indo-Persian art the Birla Temple and the Chattarpur Temple complex are considered as a blend of the North and South Indian architectural styles. Gurdwara Raquab Ganj, Sheesh Ganj and Bangla Sahib belong to Sikhism, whereas St. Thomas and St. Columbus were bilt for Christians.
Agra with its world-famous Taj Mahal become one the most recognized symbols of India. This mausoleum was created by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his second wife Mumtaz Mahal.
Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan state and is wide known as the ‘pink city’ because of the ochre-pink hue of its old buildings and crenellated city walls.
Goa and Kerala – the best Indian resorts, attract a lot of visitors from allover the world. Goa on the Arabian Sea shore has become a legendary place known for its sun, sand and psychedelia. It’s divided into 2 parts – Northern and Southern. The South is a place for the respectable western tourists with its prestigious hotels and clear beaches. The North is the place for youth from all the countries, mostly known for its discos and beach parties.
Kerala is a green strip of land, in the South West corner of Indian peninsula. Natural paradise with its palms, sand and ocean it is a perfect place for beach vacations.
Himalayas, Tibet is a mysterious land attracting a lot of people seeking harmony, self- comprehension and the solutions to some of their problems. The way o this place is very hard. It can become the most challenging trekking expedition in your life, but when you reach your aim you will know that this torture hasn’t been useless. Some people nevertheless find their harmony and stay in Tibet. But even if you decide to return home Tibet will always stay with you!]]>

Gambling ranges from card games, lotteries, incompetent video poker, slots to betting on games, blackjack and skilful poker. The odds of winning in slots, which is a matter of sheer luck, are more than any other table game, which requires little skill. An in experienced person who wants to try his hand at gambling should read the game first. Like if it is slots, gather the requisite information about them first. Talk to someone who has ample of adequate knowledge about the winning strategy and loopholes of the game. This facility is also available online. If it is the game of Black jack that you want to hit at, observe the game prior to making any move. Don’t hesitate in talking to the dealer there for perhaps he can tell you the best. Initially you should try and imitate the dealer for he will not make a deliberate wrong move. Remember nothing is learnt instantly, it takes time to win the race.

If taken in a positive sporty spirit, gambling can be a good change to refresh oneself. Nowadays many casinos, resorts, tourist destinations have various set ups for gambling lovers, at times with special provision of demonstration for the new comers.
However the truth is that gambling addiction like every other addiction is detrimental. Surveys on gambling addicts reveal that addicts are of different types. Those who madly gamble on skilful games are termed as Action Gamblers. While the ones who go in for the destiny driven slots etc. are the Escape problem gamblers. There are also those who hide from the rest and gamble online.

The gamblers not just gamble with their money but with their lives. The hunger to win more or to recover that which is lost so far, drives one crazy and out of his senses. Gamblers go out of their ways to gamble and become desperate just to have a single win.
For this they are ready to compromise on their friends, family and health. The situation worsens more when they stoop to illicit means (theft, hold ups etc.) in order to obtain money to gamble. They even get addicted to drugs in the illusion of getting satisfaction and as a means to overcome (forget) their losses.

Gambling has drastic socio-economic effects. That is why the common consensus is that gambling should not be legalized. Often thoughts are made in the direction of banning lotteries, casinos etc. globally but no concrete step is taken as yet.

However the government promulgates the serious implications of gambling and prohibits it. Government has also opened certain rehabilitation centers to help people move out of this addiction. Besides this there are some non-government organizations that have done remarkable work in this area by drifting people away from this disaster, saving their lives.
Ultimately it is the individual who has to rationally decide what is good and bad for him. But it should be borne in mind that life and wealth are precious which is not meant to ruin in gambling.]]>

For great vacation ideas, I highly recommend Italy! Here are a few things that you should ‘know before you go’ because Italy is very different from many of the places that you may have traveled to before. In the US, anything goes but this is not so in Italy. Knowing these things before hand will help you have a more successful trip.

Traveling to Italy
When you are getting ready for your trip, think about what medications you need to pack and how much of each medication you need. You can’t always find your medicines in Italy. Drugs that are common and easy-to-find here, may not be available in Italy. Make sure that you pack yourself a kit with all of the medicines that you may need for both on the plane and while traveling. Remember to pack over-the-counter medicines too. Leave all medications in their original containers!

Dinning Out in Italy
While you are in Italy remember to drink only drink bottled water NOT tap water. In an Italian restaurant it is good to know that ‘what you order is what you get’. There are not a lot of extras like salad, soup and choice of potato that automatically come with every meal. There are not many special requests in restaurants in Italy. They frown on changing your mind when your order comes and also on sending your order back. It is always safe to order spaghetti. Use a spoon and fork to twirl your spagetti rather than cutting it. Cutting your spaghetti is bad table manners in Italy. Do not wait for your check if you are eating out either. You need to ask for your check to receive it. Remember to tip with cash in Italy. If you are looking for fast food in Italy, try a pizza shop, or pizzeria. Most of the restaurants in Italy are sit-down restaurants with several different courses. And no one, absolutely no one eats dinner before 9 pm!

Site Seeing
Some of the sites and attractions in Italy are absolutely breathtaking and you will want to remember them forever. There are rules for some of the places that you travel to such as taking pictures. Not all of the places will allow you to take pictures (especially museums) and if you are allowed, you are probably can’t use a flash. It’s always safe to buy postcards.

Clothing
Italians love to dress up – everyday, everywhere. Leave your shorts, tank tops and flip flops at home. If you plan to visit the Vatican, the dress code is very strict. No bare shoulders, no bare legs. There is a booth selling paper clothes for anyone who forgets the Vatican dress code! So dress up in Italy and get ready to have fun!

Home Sweet Home
Travel is great isn’t it? And when you get home you organize all your pictures and souvenirs. And you think, “wouldn’t it be great if I could find a beautiful Italian Flag to remember my vacation by that doesn’t cost too much to add to my whole vacation experience?” Well, I’ve found a great site that sells great looking flags for not a lot of money and their shipping is super fast – www.FlagWave.com]]>

Camping is a wonderful activity enjoyed by millions of families each year. For many, camping is a family pastime. Some peoples’ earliest childhood memories involve family camping trips and many still remember the excitement of catching their first fish or the thrill of touching a frog. Many who didn’t experience camping are now trying to pass along what they missed to their kids.

Brad and Amy Herzog, of Pacific Grove, Calif., didn’t grow up camping, but over the past eight years they have created memories for their own family that will last forever. Brad recalls the first trip he and his wife took in an RV, which lasted ten months. They talked, traded stories and bonded while they traveled together across 48 states. During this time, Brad authored “States of Mind,” a book which chronicles their travels and experiences in small towns across America.

“In the wake of world events, people value three things: quality time with family, a safe and comfortable way to travel, and the chance to discover America,” Herzog explains. “In my mind, RVing covers all three.” Brad and Amy now have two young children and say they have a greater understanding of the significance and importance of family time.

There are plenty of activities the family can enjoy while camping. Everything from storytelling to stargazing is fun when done together. If everyone can’t agree on one activity, members can break off and do different things or just sit back and relax. Items that can help enhance your fun outside and also offer educational opportunities include a sketch pad, a star guide or magnifying glass.

Despite all your preparations, you can’t depend on Mother Nature to provide you with perfect weather for your outdoor activities. If your camping trip includes an RV, you’ll be able to bring along some entertainment options. Compact disc or DVD players, VCRs and video games can provide welcome diversions in the RV. Allowing children to play a video game or watch a movie at night might just make the trip more pleasurable for everyone.

Comfort and Convenience

One of the lures of RV camping is the ability to bring the comforts of home with you on your trip. Large RVs and motorhomes have installed generators that provide electrical power, but many of the smaller, towable RVs do not come equipped with the ability to run life’s modern amenities. Spotting this need, Onan, a power generation products company, recently introduced Camp Power, the first installed generator designed specifically for towable RVs. Camp Power provides power for microwaves, televisions, air conditioners and other items when camping.

With the help of generators, camping doesn’t mean roughing it. Fresh coffee can be made in the morning and children can watch their favorite cartoons during breakfast. And generators provide power to cooking appliances when a campfire is out of the question and allow food to remain fresh and be stored safely in a small refrigerator.

The Herzog’s have found a generator makes camping with their two young children a breeze. “We are able to warm up bottles, cook food, camp anywhere and have any kind of family friendly amenity needed,” Herzog explains.

Discover America

The versatility of traveling in an RV lets campers go where they want to go, whenever they want to go there. Whether it’s a beach in Florida or skiing in Colorado, RVers can have all the comforts of home with them.

“RVing is an inspiring and educational way to spend time with your family,” Brad says. His children are both under the age of two and already have traveled to many places in the United States. They camp together a few months out of every year and hope they’ve created a family tradition that their two children will someday be able to share with their kids.

For more information on RVing or Camp Power, check out www.funroads.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content]]>

The city is separated into two parts – the north and the south. The southern part is inhabited by the rich white people. White, beautiful building rise above the golden beaches… It’s separated from the north by the hills Tijuca and Pedra-Branka. The north is populated, as you probably guess, by poor black people. There are no Chinatown, no little Italy in the city.
The event, Rio-de-Janeiro is famous for is its annual Carnival, the most renowned Carnival in Brazil and, may be, in the whole world. The origin of the carnival lies in the ancient African and Portuguese traditions. The incomparable fusion of these two traditions led to the birth of the Brazilian Carnival. In the beginning of the XX century the first samba schools appeared and in 1916 the first samba was created especially for the carnival.
Nowadays Rio Carnival is the most impressive and the best-organized carnival in Brazil. The 100-thousand enchanted crowd watch the parade of the samba schools. Each school devotes its performance to one theme – politics, nature, sport, art, music – all the themes should be Brazilian. The school creates its own song, costumes and choreography. The rehearsals began several months before the carnival. Rio Carnival – beautiful carts, a lot of musicians, bright costumes and the harmony of music and dance.
Beside samba schools the groups united by the district or theme, or something else take part in the Carnival.
The Carnival begins with the performance of 10 best schools, then come different groups. Some of the groups perform in suburbs. The category of the school can be decreased depending of the performance results. The procession begins on Sunday at 19.00 with the performance of the first-category schools. At first you see the name of the school, then come the members of the schools and the celebrities in the carnival costumes, after that – the thousands of dancers and the hundreds of the museums.
Carts are decorated with plumes; in carts there are VIP-persons and 8 allegories statues or big puppets. The height must be less then 10 meters. Nearby dance the so-called passistas, elite dancers almost without clothes. The procession stretches up to half a kilometer. The last school finishes its performance by 5 or 6 o’clock in the morning.
Rio is very famous for its beaches too. They are very different from each other.
Flamengo is situated in the Guanabara gulf and isn’t very clean.
Botafogo is dirty too and is not often visited.
Urca – nice, pleasant beach, especially in the morning.
Leme, Copacabana – notorious names, three kilometers of paradise. The only disadvantage is strong stream.
Arpoador – the utmost point of Copacabana. Swimming here is a risk. Big waves, a challenge for the surfers.
Ipanema, Leblon look like Copacabana. Popular place among well-to-do people.
Pepino Sao Conrado – big, picturesque beach. Good for surfing.
Barra da Tijuca – located near favelas (ghettos). Nothing to add.
Recreo dos Bandeirantes – surfer’s beach separated from the city by the rock.
Grumari – one of the most beautiful beaches.]]>

Some of the Japanese overseas travel insurance options include not only trip or annual medical emergency coverage for travel but also disability insurance, personal liability coverage and term life insurance. Japanese overseas travel insurance’s medical coverage with some plans offers full (100 percent) reimbursement for prescription medicine, medical care for diagnostic purposes, hospital stay and even surgery. You’ll also be covered in case of terrorism and an evacuation to your home residence in the event of medical or terrorist emergency.

One firm whose Japanese overseas travel plan we perused offered coverage for those over 80 years old, difficult to find. The minimum coverage time period for this plan is one week (seven days) with a one-year maximum, although it can be renewed for a total of three consecutive years of coverage. Coverage varies according to your age. You must be at least two weeks old for any coverage. If you are under 70 years of age you can choose coverage limits that range from $50,000 to $1 million. Folks between 70 and 79 are excluded from coverage that exceeds $50,000, while those 80 or older can only be covered to a maximum of $10,000.

Let’s look at a couple of quotes to see the variation in cost for age, children, number of travelers, and participation in sports. We’ll also look at the cost for non-U.S. citizens. The first quote is for a single U.S. resident 18-29 years of age traveling along for one year and not wanting the rider for sports coverage. A $1 million ceiling for Japanese overseas travel insurance coverage, with a $250 deductible, is $576. Reducing the ceiling doesn’t seem like nearly as good a deal - the premium is $504, although increasing the deductible to $1000 reduces the cost to $403.20. That same Japanese overseas travel insurance coverage for non-U.S. citizens is several hundred dollars more.

For a couple both 30-39 years old with two children traveling with them, Japanese overseas travel insurance does not come cheap. Assuming U.S. residence and a $500,000 ceiling with $500 deductible the hefty price tag for this coverage is $1814.40. While this may seem excessive, consider the cost of medical coverage for one or more of you, or for emergency evacuation. You’ll probably come to the conclusion that Japanese overseas travel insurance is inexpensive as compared to the alternative.]]>

Arriving full of excitement and anticipation is great, but finding that you can’t sleep at night, you’re tired during the day and you’ve got an upset stomach and a headache can do a lot more than just take the edge off your trip.

If you’re seeking ways of preventing jet lag, or looking for the perfect jet lag remedy, then here are seven tips to start you on your search.

Tip 1. Clear the decks before your departure.

A much overlooked aspect of jet lag is the part played by stress. Running around trying to do a 1001 last minute jobs in the week before you fly. Worrying about whether the house will be safe. Sitting up until midnight the night before your flight paying the household bills. Sound familiar?

Plan well in advance and make sure that you’ve taken care of everything at least three or four days before you go. Then take it easy, get lots of rest and set aside time specifically for relaxation.

Tip 2. Start adjusting your bedtime before you go.

In the two weeks before your trip start to gradually adjust your bedtime. If you’re flying east, bring your bedtime forward by ten or fifteen minutes each night so that, by the time you leave, you’re going to bed about two hours earlier than normal. This will ‘narrow the gap’ between the time at which your body wants to go to bed and the time that the clock says you should go to bed at your destination.

Similarly, if you’re traveling west, put your bedtime back by ten or fifteen minutes each day.

Tip 3. Reduce you caffeine intake.

Coffee, as well as other caffeinated drinks, both speeds up and slows down your internal body clock, depending upon the time of day that you consume it. When you’re settled into a regular pattern of sleep this doesn’t necessarily present too much of a problem, as the effects can tend to ‘balance out’. However, when your body clock finds itself at odds with local time the effects of caffeine can be quite marked and add considerably to the problems of jet lag.

Tip 4. Avoid Pills.

With the exception of any prescribed medication that you normally take, you should avoid sleeping pills, so-called ‘jet lag’ pills and over the counter medication for jet lag. Not only do these have little or no beneficial effect, many of them can actually add to your problems.

In particular, avoid the common temptation to take sleeping pills during your flight. They may well help you to get to sleep on the aircraft, but they will add to your problems when you arrive at your destination.

Tip 5. Dress comfortably for your flight.

Choose comfortable and loose fitting clothes to travel in and tuck a pair of slippers into your carry-on luggage to wear on board the aircraft. It’s nice to be able to get dressed up and go out once you reach your destination but nobody is going to expect you to get dressed up to the nines while you’re traveling.

Tip 6. Get out in the sunshine.

Once you reach your destination get out into daylight as much as possible during the first few days of your trip. Daylight sends powerful signals to your body clock and you’ll find that it adjusts far more quickly if it is exposed to the normal cycle of daylight and darkness at your destination. So take advantage of this and don’t hide yourself away indoors.

Tip 7. Take something special with you.

It can often be difficult settling in strange surroundings and, in particular, relaxing sufficiently to fall asleep. So, take one or two items of special significance with you, perhaps a family photograph or a favorite bedside ornament, to help give a little bit of the feel of home.

Copyright 2005 Donald Saunders - http://help-me-to-sleep.com

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away even at a glance. The everyday hustles and bustles
of life can drain every ounce of energy that we have.
There are various concerns that desperately calls for
our attention and time which can mess up our thinking
and everyday existence in this big world. That is why
there is a need for us to at least stop from our usual
routine and take time to enjoy and be free. Of course
there are lots of activities that can soothe our pains
and longings but the most effective of which, as
supported by studies and researches, is through nature.
Our mother nature has its own power to heal and regain
the lost energy of its vital components which include
man. That is why a break from the everyday monotonous
tasks can help a lot to refresh and remove the toxins
that can engulf our minds and bodies. There are
thousands of places to visit from all over the world
and one of that is the lush, alive and stunning island
of Kauai, Hawaii.

You can’t help but be mesmerized by the sparkling blue
oceans that stretch along the stately mountains and
hills that stood proudly on almost all sides of the
island. Freely flowing from the elevated areas are
gushing waterfalls that can truly refresh the tired and
weary mind. There are so many breath-taking places
waiting to be explored. It may appear to be a small
Kauai island but on almost all sides and corners are
landscapes and locations that can one’s attention and
interest. On the North shore of Kauai is the
spectacular Na Pali Kauai coast which was featured on
the movie South Pacific. On the heart of Kauai North
shore is the alluring Hanalei bay that flows to almost
30 miles areas of hills and bays. On the South area of
Kauai shore are the superb beaches and waterfalls which
also include the magnificent National Tropical Garden,
the product of Congress legislations. The natural
result of lava formation in Spouting Horn is also found
on the Southern Kauai shore.

Anyone interested to know the cultural and historical
landmarks of Kauai can go to the West Kauai area. The
historical captain Cook monument can be found on this
Kauai area which serves as the mark for the landing of
British Captain James Cook in the island of Hawaii in
the year 1778. The place where the souls of Kauai
inhabitants rest is said to be found in the sanctified
Polihale heiau. Known as the Coconut Coast is the
Eastern area of Kauai Island. A visit to Kauai shores
will not be complete without exploring this area. East
Kauai is also notable for their beachfronts which made
it a favorite among visitors and tourists for kayaking
or boating although it may have trick currents for
adrenaline rushing adventures.

Warm accommodation is given by various establishments
and companies ready to give their optimum services.
Kauai Island has wide arrays of rooms given by famous
hotels, condos and resorts to make your stay truly a
remarkable and unforgotten one. The rates vary to suit
the budget of visitors and tourists. There are lots of
varieties of services to choose from. On the northern
Kauai shores are vacation rentals that can provide a
good view of the ocean and other landmarks. Furniture,
home accessories and other stuff are also available to
make you feel at home. Beach houses situated near the
road, shops and grocery stores are also available for
the visitors to easily have access to other amenities
that they may need and want.]]>

Here are a few steps you should take while on vacation to help keep your home safe and secure:

•The best protection for your apartment during your absence is to have a house sitter. A friend you trust staying at your house can take care of your pets and/or plants in addition to making sure the house is inhabited.

•Have a neighbor check on your apartment while you’re away ~ turning on lights, radios or TVs and opening and closing curtains will give your apartment the appearance of someone home.

•If you don’t have a friend or neighbor to housesit or check your apartment while you’re away ~ perhaps even if you do — you should keep not only lights but also a TV or radio on a timer. If you’re like me and have your TV on almost all the time you’re home [NOTE: I don’t watch it, it’s just background noise.], the absence of the sound and that blueish light in the windows announces that you’re not there.

•Make sure whoever is checking your apartment while you’re away knows how to work your alarm system and who to call in case of a problem.

•Unless you have a house sitter, stop your mail and any newspaper or other delivery.
Nothing announces an empty apartment better than a stack of newspapers or an overflowing mailbox. Ask a nearby neighbor to pick up any packages delivered while you’re gone.

•If you have a garden or plants on your balcony, make sure someone is watering the plants regularly or put the plants where they can’t be seen. Plants slowly dying due to lack of water may announce your absence.

•Check your lease. Many landlords require that you notify them if your apartment is going to be left empty for any period of time (this is so they can enter in case of emergency even if they can’t reach you). If you’ve got a house sitter this isn’t necessary]]>