A luxury holiday in oman at the al jissah resort spa

Why you need to check out the Al Jissah Resort & Spa in Oman for your affordable family vacation this year

The Al Jissah Resort & Spa is the ideal affordable family vacation package as well as being a the best place to take a luxury holiday in Oman.

The Al Jissah Resort & Spa consists of the Exclusive Al Husn rated at 6 stars [The Castle], Al Bandar [The Town] rated at 5 star, and Al Waha [The Oasis] which is 4 star, and very much for the family vacation package.

This Shangri-La Hotel and Resort has a fantastic location in over 120 acres with mountains behind, and a private beach of golden sand in front with the blue water of the Gulf of Oman to provide the icing on the cake.

This is a large Resort at Al Jissah, with the exclusive Al Husn with 180 suites and guestrooms, Al Bandar with 198 rooms and the Al Waha with 302 rooms.

All of the 680 rooms and suites face the sea and overlook the 600 yard beach.

It is the first three hotel luxury resort both for Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts and for the country of Oman.

There are a wide range of leisure facilities within the complex and this includes three freshwater swimming pools, and to connect the Al Waha Family oriented hotel to the Al Bandar is a lazy river. When you add to this four tennis courts, a PADI dive centre, a fitness centre, the Little Turtles Kids Club based at Al Waha, which is one of the main reasons this This Shangri-La Hotel and Resort is the ideal family vacation package, you can begin to realize what is on offer.

When you add on the chance to not only go snorkelling, but even dolphin and whale watching trips can be arranged, and at certain times of the year turtles come up onto the beach to lay their eggs, and the Turtle Ranger will take trips to see this.

The Al Jissah Resort & Spa has the renowned Chi Spa with some of the largest and most luxurious spa suites you will find anywhere in Oman, and a Turkish Bath, an ice room, a sauna, steam rooms and a jacuzzi

Everybody visits the Omani Heritage Village where you can soak up the atmosphere of a retail souk, and you can experience life in a traditional Oman village. This will include demonstrations by silversmiths, henna painting, weaving to add to the authentic feel. If you want to visit Muscat then there is a daily complimentary shuttle.

The Al Jissah Resort & Spa complex has twenty restaurants and bars, so guests are spoilt for choice. There are six main restaurants and seven more casual food outlets. You can add to this three pool bars, a night club, and two bars so you really can’t go wrong, as there is something to suit everyone’s taste.

For dining, guests are spoilt for choice with 6 main restaurants, 7 casual dining outlets, 3 pool bars, a nightclub and 2 bars providing sumptuous local and international cuisine to suit all tastes.

Any good family vacation package to a luxury hotel should have restaurants that all the family can enjoy.

The Samba is outstanding in this regard because there is a chocolate fountain for the kids and unlimited oysters and mussels on ice for starters. Apart from this there is a huge selection of dishes, and this restaurant is the ideal spot for huge and varied breakfasts.

The surf bar and pool bar are good for burgers and salads, and the fish restaurant between Al Waha and Al Bandar has top class fish at decent prices.

This is a good all year round destination, but the temperature in July and August is pretty fierce, but then some like it hot, the expect extreme temperatures in Jul and Aug but prices will be lower then and the Al Jissah Resort & Spa less busy.

A final note about this top of the range luxury Oman hotel is the staff, who are very good indeed, being helpful courteous, friendly, and have very good language skills.

Go to Oman and stay at the Al Jissah Resort & Spa.

Making lucrative investments in thailand propertie

Thailand is one of the most attractive places in Asia and has become an excellent tourist hotspot. The entire nation has lots of amazing spots to attract and allure the people. Hence each year number of people come and make investments in Thailand property to gain profits or income. But regrettably the Thai administration is not very open in inviting worldwide real estate people for various developmental purposes. And moreover there is a restriction or bar on the Thailand property and Thailand homes investment done by outsiders. So it’s best to take help and advice regarding Thailand property, Thailand homes, real estate Phuket from the local professional’s expert in various property transactions. Also tgrasia. com is a site all about Thailand property, Thailand homes, Phuket villas, property in Phuket, real estate Phuket, real estate companies Phuket, Phuket hotel resorts, Phuket property, Phuket islands and private islands.

Investing in Thailand holiday resorts and Thailand homes rental are really beneficial as these properties ensure in getting a good rental income all through the year. Additionally the investor with his family can stay at their Thailand holiday resorts or Thailand homes and enjoy the holidays. Another picturesque and a big tourist spot is Phuket that is just few kilometers from Thailand. Phuket has many good and luxurious hotels, guest houses and restaurants but Phuket villas and Phuket hotel resorts have its own value. Almost all the Phuket villas are homely and offers complete comfy living conditions to its guests. These Phuket villas are very economical as compared to big hotels with full facilities.

Many people have started investing in Phuket property, property in Phuket and property Phuket as it’s a great way to earn quick money. In addition the Phuket islands and private islands are the best adventure place for tourist, where they can spend some time in the beech and rest at shipping or boating activities. To reach the lovely Phuket islands or private islands you can hire your own car or taxi. Every year thousands of people from all over the world come at Phuket islands, private islands or Phuket hotel resorts and spend their holidays with family, friends and relatives.

Moreover you will find many other attractive real estate Phuket investments and lifestyle opportunities including big apartments, private houses and so on. Phuket islands unique coastal beauty as well as international lifestyle is really hard or difficult to beat. The Luxurious real estate Thailand property, Thailand homes, Phuket property, property Phuket attracts lots of people each year. Like many other countries Thailand's real estate property market offers the buyers everything right from big luxurious Phuket villas, apartments and much more. The best thing about making investments in Thailand property, Thailand homes, Phuket hotel resorts Phuket property, and Phuket islands is its cost-effective factor. The real estate companies Phuket provide guidance to the investors. Real estate companies Phuket also tells the investors about how he can make a right investment in Phuket villas, property in Phuket, real estate Phuket, Phuket property, Phuket islands, Thailand property, Thailand homes and private islands.

For more details and information regarding Thailand property, Thailand homes, Phuket villas, property in Phuket, real estate Phuket, real estate companies Phuket, Phuket hotel resorts, Phuket property, Phuket islands and private islands then log on to tgr-asia. com

Imagine a no gambling vacation in las vegas

Las Vegas Vacations, I assure you, are more than just gambling and shows at your favorite hotel. When you consider the location of Vegas, one almost has to assume that there surely must be more to it than gaming.

Las Vegas, often referred to as a "Desert Oasis", sits alone in the center of several mountain ranges. Amidst the bright lights and the glamour, one can explore their every fantasy and whim, But away from the glitter and gaming there lies an outdoor lover's delight. Just waiting to be explored!

Fishing, boating, hiking, backpacking, skiing, snowboarding, rockclimbing, and sightseeing are but a few of the activities available to the avid outdoors-person. There isn't a more diverse area to vacation in.

Mt Charleston lies just north of the city, about a 30 minute drive, Skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling are popular winter activities. In the summer you'll find welcomed relief from the triple digit temperatures on the desert floor. Mt Charleston rises to approximately 11,900 feet and resides in the Spring Mountain Range, which comprises a small portion of the Toiyabe National Forrest where camping, picnicing, hiking, backpacking are the order of the day.

If roughing it at Mt Charleston is not your cup of tea. The Mt Charleston resturaunt and Hotel will cater to all your needs. With gourmet eating and lodging fit for a King or Queen.

If you happen to be visiting during the winter months, then the Lodge at Lee Canyon is the place to be. Hot Toddies, a Huge Fire Pit and an absolutely breath taking view of the snow covered mountains awaits you. Nothing like the smell of freshly burned pine wood in the fire pit combined with the food being prepared at the grill to bring a smile to your face.

If it's water sports your looking for then be prepared to be astounded by Lake Meade. With approx. 900 miles of shoreline, Lake Meade Recreational area is known to be the largest man made lake in the US. Fishing, camping, boating, swimming, jet skiing are just a few of the attractions of this awesome piece of Nevada. Roughly a 30 to 45 minute car ride from Las Vegas making it one of Nevada's major attractions.

There is much to see at Lake Meade. You can rent anything from small fishing boats to House Boats. There are many coves to pull your craft into for the weekend some of which, have natural hot springs that are alot of fun as well as therapuetic. If you're lucky enough you may even see groups of Nevadas Big Horn Sheep as they come down to the water's edge, in the wee hours of the morning, to quench their thirst.

There is also an abundance of stripped bass, trout and catfish in the Lake. Needless to say, Fishing is quite good.

"The Hoover Dam", must not be overlooked. Tours are done several times a day which take you by elevator down inside the dam where the powerful electric turbines reside. You'll be awestruck by the site of the Colorado River from atop the dam itself. Truly a sight to behold.

I hope I've given you a fair cross section of activities when visiting Las Vegas. I also hope I've helped you to decide to take your vacation with us here. After all, Las Vegas Vacations are second to none.

Finding the best malaga car hire company

A Malaga car hire is a good idea, if you want to travel freely throughout the city and surrounding areas. It is more convenient than public transportation. You can see all the sites on your own time table, rather than having to plan all your outings according to the schedule of public transportation.

Malaga airport is located about six kilometres west of the city. A car hire is a convenient service for tourists. Many car hire companies operate right at the airport for your convenience. Companies in the city will arrange to pick you up at the airport and drop you back off at the end of your vacation.

Finding the Best Malaga Car Hire

You can find car hire companies through a travel agent or search online. Compare prices both in person and on the internet to find the best deal on the car you want. Most companies employ bilingual people to make communication easier with tourists.

Shop around when looking for a car. All companies advertise the lowest price, but there can be big differences. Some companies give a base price for the car and charge extra for things like unlimited mileage, insurance, airport taxes, roadside assistance and a second driver. Other companies include these things in one price. Be sure you know what is included.

Don’t shop only by price, but compare styles and extras when choosing the best company. Some extras may not be necessary, but others are important. You will want a car with air conditioning, particularly if you are travelling in the summer. It gets very hot in Malaga and you won’t want to be stuck in a hot car.

When possible, it’s easier to arrange to pick up and drop off the car at the airport. This is more convenient for you and in most cases; you won’t save money by using a company at your destination. You also won’t have to rely on the company to pick you up and drop you back off for your flight home.

When you reserve your car, be sure to reserve a car seat, if you are travelling with small children. Child safety seats are the law in Spain. Just because you have a reservation for a car, doesn’t mean a seat will be available when you arrive at the airport. They can run out of seats, especially in the busier seasons. Be sure to reserve according to the age and weight of your child to ensure you will have the right seat.

Save Money on a Malaga Car Hire

Book early to get a better price on your car hire. In addition, reserving the car early will give you more choices in available cars. Waiting until just before your trip can result in limited availability. You may not get the size or accessories you want in a vehicle.

Consider what you really need in terms of size and luxury. How many people will be travelling with you? If you are bringing the family, you will need a larger vehicle. A couple may be able to get by with a smaller, economy car. This can save you money. Since you won’t be spending much time in the car, you may not need all the extras and can save money. A compact car is also better on fuel, which can save you even more money.

Check online for better deals. There is less chance of a mistake with your reservation when you reserve your car on the internet. Also, car hire companies have less overhead with online reservations. Less overhead can translate into savings for you.

The success and freedom of home based travel businesses

Between the start up costs and overhead, most people can only dream of starting a store based business. Even those who take the risk are now more likely to fail than ever before because of high taxes and increasing rents. Internet based companies, however, do not require the fancy and expensive retail location. Instead, these business owners are able to run their companies from the comfort of their own house — even in their pajamas if they like!

Those who work online never worry about additional rent, utilities, and shop upkeep. They only require a computer and an Internet connection to be well on their way to building a successful business. This is the way that home based travel businesses make their money.

The global economy is growing larger and larger each day. This means Internet based companies are able to connect with potential clients all over the world, creating a limitless supply of customers and a limitless source of revenue. It seems that everyone is making purchases online and this means that the market is saturated with customers, but not enough providers to service them.

Home based travel businesses are experiencing one of the largest booms in Internet sales history. As the population ages, more and more people are taking longer vacations. It is estimated that in the next few years this industry will increase by 500%. What a great time to get into the game.

Anyone looking to start their own online business needs to consider the education and technology they will require in order to be successful. A great way to minimize the stress of start up is to join a larger company that will be willing to provide all the materials required for home based travel businesses to succeed.

The key to success for any company is a secure foundation of preparation. Before starting a company, the owner needs to understand their product, know their market, and be in tune with their customers. By joining forces with an already established company, new business owners will be able to benefit from their knowledge and avoid making common rooky mistakes.

Even the largest companies feel the financial burden associated with soliciting new customers. By working with an established company, home based travel businesses can reap the benefits of already established customer bases and leave the marketing to the parent company. This not only reduces cost, but also eliminates the massive drain on time that marketing can create. A great example of this concept is seen in any franchise; given the choice of opening an independent burger joint or an already established franchise, the one who chooses the franchise will have more success.

Unfortunately, as with everything else in life, there are good and bad companies out there. One of the most reputable in the industry can be found at homebased-travelagents. com. This company is dedicated to providing members with full support during their training and right through the life of their business. They offer one of the highest commission percentages in the industry and are definitely the place to start if you are considering a career in this exciting field.

One of the best european honeymoon destinations is the villa le scale in capri one of the most romantic hotels in europe

The Villa le Scale on Capri has been often voted as one of the very best European honeymoon destinations, and from my own experience it is not only all of that, it is also in the top 10 romantic hotels in Europe.

Capri in the summer is not for the faint hearted, and the hustle and bustle is quite overwhelming, but the second we went through the gates we were immediately in an oasis of calm and total luxury. I also loved the way the crowds on the street all stopped to look as the gates opened, it made me feel like a film star!!

Greeted with complimentary champagne, snacks, and towels, quickly shown to the Venetian Room, which certainly did not disappoint. It was beautifully furnished with a wonderful terrace, which we were to make great use of during our stay. It also had a Turkish bath which was well used by us.

A nice touch was the complimentary fresh fruit plate, indeed the first of many complimentary offerings we were to receive at the Villa le Scale. Already we could see why this is rated one of the best European honeymoon destinations, and one of the most romantic hotels in Europe.

We had breakfast on the terrace every morning amidst the perfumed jasmine and the gardens. I also had a couple of massages on the terrace-highly recommended!!

Lunch by the pool was another delight, but one of the outstanding memories were the staff who could not have been more helpful.

There are many nice hotels where the staff can be a little churlish when you want to eat out, but not so here, so we were able to enjoy the Aurora for dinner in Capri and da Paolina where you eat under the lemon trees.

Get Marcello to take you on a boat trip so you can swim in the grottos, and explore the island with a chauffered car.

Wait until the evening before you go into Capri, because all the day trippers will have gone, and it will be cooler.

All in all we loved the Villa le Scale, the quality of everything from the food, to the service was unsurpassed. We were made to feel like friends and not like paying guests

Holiday apartments the ideal travel accommodation for families

With the summer 2007 now firmly behind us, the time is near when vacationers throughout the world will start to look forward to their next vacation. For the lucky ones, Christmas will be an opportunity to travel to holiday destination and whilst hotels may usually be the first option in people’s mind when thinking about a place to live when traveling, wise travelers have known about holiday apartments for a while now. This is particularly true if you are vacationing with your family and looking to get the best holiday deals.

Holiday apartments offer an ideal alternative to hotel accommodation on a whole range of different levels, be it size, price and other considerations. And whilst hotels usually boast room and other personalized services to their customers, vacation suites and apartments are now competing with that as well.

Private owners often use the holiday rental market to monetize a second or third home, and have traditionally used the services of a letting agency to find customers, take payment and sometimes even take over full management of the said properties.

In the past 15 years, large houses in European cities such London have been converted into apartments (flats) for the purpose of being rented to tourists and travelers on short term basis. These types of properties directly compete with hotels in that they provide a reception for check-ins and check-outs and varying degrees of concierge services.

Hotels, having realized the potential loss of revenue generated by the rental of holiday apartments have now begun to offer furnished hotel suites, which combine the amenities of a home with the services of a hotel. This option is perhaps the most costly of all three types of vacation apartment’s rentals.

If you are looking for more space in which to stretch your tired legs after a day’s walking through the streets of London or other cities throughout the world, apartments are an ideal alternative to hotels.

In addition to space, though, the savings are what make holiday apartments so worthy of your consideration for your next travel or vacation trip.

Why the location of your cabin matters

When you are looking to book a cruise it is important not to rush into anything. Usually people save up for years to afford a cruise and then they make the mistake of rushing into booking everything as soon as they have the money. This can lead to disappointment and many people end up choosing completely the wrong accommodation and that can cause them to have a miserable vacation. So choosing the right cabin for you should be your first priority and you should never rush into it!

How to Choose the Perfect Cabin

One of the main decisions which you have to make when booking a cruise is the accommodation that you will be staying in. There are various factors that most of us never think of when booking a cabin and that includes whether we will be able to hear everybody walking above us. After all, cabins which are situated under walkways will hear everyone going up and down the stairs or over the walkway all the time. If you choose to stay in a cabin that is situated on sea level however then there is the chance that you will bump into people outside of your room all day and all night long. Really it all depends upon how much money you are willing to spend as to how enjoyable your vacation will be.

Usually on cruise ships you will find that once you have selected your accommodation, there is no chance to change it after the ship has set off. So this means that you need to be certain about your accommodation right from the word go. If you have a little more money to spend then you can find a more luxurious cabin at the rear of the ship. However you generally have to have a strong stomach to be able to stay there and so if you suffer from seasickness it is not the best idea! However if you do have a strong stomach then you will find that the views over the ocean are amazing and you will really enjoy the space given to you in the cabin too.

If you would prefer to stay at the front of the ship then the bow cabins would be more your style. They can come with a balcony or veranda which you can sit out on and relax whilst enjoying the views. Obviously this will make your vacation a lot more enjoyable so again if you can afford it then it would be worth booking this type of cabin. However you will need an even stronger stomach to stay in these cabins as you are even more likely to get seasick there.

Overall if you do suffer from travel sickness then it would be worth booing a cabin which is under sea level. Also check that it is in the centre of the ship too as that will give you the best support and you will not feel the effects of water turbulence as much there. Where you have your cabin can make a huge difference to your vacation so do take the time to ensure you have chosen the right option fro you and your family.

Bulgaria - like spain 30 years ago ..

Before one of my recent trips to Bulgaria, I was surfing the net for information about the country in general. I came across a line on a property website that claimed “Bulgaria is like Spain 30 years ago”. It set me thinking………

When I was in my early teens I travelled across Europe with my younger brother and parents every summer. We would just set off with no clear plans as to where we were going to end up, but a rough idea of when we would be back, which was basically when we were down to our last pound note!

We didn’t have the luxuries I or my children take for granted as today’s seasoned travellers – such as crisp clean hotel beds and room service. We either had an over - ladened roof rack, stacked high with our camping gear and clothes, or if we were a little better off that summer, we had a second hand caravan hitched to the back of our old car. I remember the caravan was always sold on our return to tide us over while Dad went back to work.

I vividly remember one summer, when my father had ingeniously welded together two bread vans – yes bread vans and made them into a camper van, but the really clever bit was, when we arrived on the camp site, the rear section slid out, to give twice the living and sleeping area – although not very good for the “street cred” of two cool 70’s teenagers - we certainly had fun.

My point is, we saw and experienced on those adventures, some of the most traditional and native parts of France, Italy and most of all Spain.

So, is Bulgaria like Spain 30 years ago? Well, in my humble opinion – yes, in many ways…………...

The roads for instance – in Spain, their motorways were simple dual carriageways, poorly maintained and infrequent. Until this year - Bulgaria’s roads were very similar – where you would hope to have found a sturdy motorway you might find a two-laned, pot hole ridden, carriageway, unfit for donkeys never mind cars – and in-land, donkeys were more common! This year however, I am pleased to note, that with EU funding the new motorway is nearly finished and many of the main artery roads have now been re-surfaced – but the “four by four” transport still most commonly used in the quaint rural regions is still the donkey and cart!

Just like the Spain of my youth.

The toilets – I remember many tears in my youth, where I had the embarrassment of squatting down behind a tree, at the side of a dusty Spanish road, with my nether regions exposed to any passing insect or giggling doe eyed Spanish boy, because I just couldn’t travel any further looking for an English style toilet to sit on! We had travelled mile after mile, because I had stubbornly refused to use the traditional Spanish “squat pot” – a smelly hole in the ground, with a porcelain tray with dirty footprints on either side, giving you a hint as to where to put your feet! Yuck!! But I wonder, was the tree any better?

Over the past three years I have travelled the length and breadth of Bulgaria, on my business travels – not looking for an English style toilet to sit on, but certainly wishing I could find one!! Mile after mile, I have refused to visit their “squat pots”, but I am happy to report that they are now cottoning on – many of the little roadside cafes and bars of the rural regions have now been re-furbished, and you can find more and more “proper” toilets”, and in the tourist resorts, it would be very unusual to have to go looking for your own private “tree”!

The people – one of the things that stands out from my childhood holidays are the memory’s of the people in Spain. They were always so eagar to please, particularly when you escaped into the countryside. I remember many occasions when we were given fruit from the trees and drinks from the villagers, even though there was no cafй to speak of, the people genuinely wanted to meet us, to try and chat to us and always to shake hands – that way they could brag to their friends and relations that they had met the foreigners! Bulgaria today is very similar.

As I travel across Bulgaria, from village to village, acquiring property and land, I have the good fortune to meet many Bulgarians – mainly the older generation, the grandmas and grandads left behind to tend the crops. You can see them in summer particularly, bent double from years of hoeing the land that their fathers and their grandfathers tended. Working away in their cut off wellies, with their 80 year old daughters bringing them a glass of home made rakia or beer – they break off to tell you, proudly, how many generations have ploughed those fields, how many brothers and sisters they have left and thrust upon you the fruits of their labours – literally, the largest bulbs of garlic I have ever seen, apples, plums, carrots – you name it they grow it. I suppose when you bear in mind that they get the equivalent of less than Ј10 per month in pension, they have to grow everything and anything they can, to either eat or exchange with their neighbours. This is an old way of life, a harsh and un-comfortable way of life, but also a calm and un-complicated way of life – many of us, who rush from one crisis to another, watching the clock, reporting to the boss, struggling with the bills, are looking towards this sort of calmer lifestyle for our early retirement.

Many of my clients, whilst not looking to spend generations farming the land, are certainly looking for the peace and tranquillity that comes with rural living, whether it be in the Spain of yesteryear, or the Bulgaria of today, the opportunities to settle in some of the little villages just 30 or 40 minutes from the coast have never been greater. From as little as Ј8,000 or Ј9,000, British people are settling in these villages and breathing life back into these havens. Renovating and building properties, alongside their grateful and friendly neighbours, this is a new kind of heaven. You may have a nice 4 by 4, whilst your neighbour has a horse and cart, and you may have a luxurious pool, whilst your neighbour bathes in an old tin bath, and your pension may buy a whole years groceries in one month – but your neighbours won’t mind, they will still share with you what they have, still watch out for you, so they can greet you with a smile and a handshake…..

So is Bulgaria like Spain was 30 years ago? Well in my opinion yes, but Bulgaria is moving faster, learning quicker and has an honesty about it that Spain lost somewhere along the way - Go and see for yourself – Bulgaria has so much to offer everyone.

Hello from toronto - part 6 - the toronto international dragonboat festival 2006

One of my favourite spots in Toronto is the Toronto Islands, that lovely patch of land right in front of downtown Toronto, separated by just a sliver of water. So close, yet so far from the city's hustle and bustle. One of the biggest events on the Islands is the Toronto Dragonboat Festival, a family event organized by the Toronto Chinese Business Association. In addition to being a great entertainment event, the Dragonboat Festival is also a big fundraiser for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, so it’s not just fun, it’s also for a good cause.

So two days ago I headed off down to the waterfront and took the ferry across to Centre Island. At 10 am when I left things were still fairly quiet and the line-ups hadn’t started yet. People with bicycles, strollers, coolers on wheels, all equipped for a full day on the Island, were making the trek across the bay to enjoy the excitement of the Dragonboat Race and to bask in the serenity of this island sanctuary.

The ride on the ferry affords absolutely the best view of Toronto’s skyline and at $6 return it is one of the most affordable sight-seeing options in Toronto. All the skyscrapers, the CN Tower, the round shell of the Skydome (now called the Rogers Centre) and the outline of the historic Royal York Hotel come into focus when you look back at the city. Toronto’s skyline is one of the most recognizable images in the world.

After a fifteen minute ride I set foot at the ferry dock on Centre Island and started walking towards the so-called Alan A. Lamport Regatta Course, a stretch of water frequently used for rowing events of different kinds. People had already set themselves up all over the lawn, ready for a picnic. Onlookers were following the races. A food court was set up where various vendors sold different types of Oriental delicacies and the Multicultural Village provided cultural displays, arts and crafts demonstrations, as well as various activities for children. One of the stands had an amazing assortment of folded paper crafts including some beautiful decorative dragonboats. The lady at the stand told me it takes her a whole day to craft some of these masterpieces.

A real dragon boat actually is a long and narrow boat, powered by paddlers, and the boat is usually adorned by decorative Chinese dragon heads and tails. Usually a dragon boat will have a crew of about 22 people, with one drummer or caller facing the paddlers, and one steerer at the rear of the boat. Dragon boats are thought to have come into existence more than 2500 years ago in south central China and have a long history in Chinese rituals and celebrations.

The races had already started at about 8 am Saturday morning. Dragon boat racers were coming down the water channel, 6 boats at a time, in the qualifying heats for the finals. This year there were about 6,000 paddlers competing over two days. About 200 teams participated in more than 100 races over this past weekend and teams came from all walks of life: banks, community groups, colleges, universities and other educational institutions, hospitals, technology and pharmaceutical companies and many more.

I strolled past the grandstand and past Centreville, Toronto Islands’ amusement park, over the bridge to the other side of the race course with the intent to connect with some dragon boat teams. The first team I ran into was a group of high school principals and vice principals that get together every year to participate in the race and raise some funds for breast cancer. These educators were a very welcoming and enthusiastic bunch, and started chatting with me. Their coach Glen gave me further background about their training routine. He explained that around February the whole team goes out to public swimming pools and starts stationary paddling. Then around April they actually get into the water near Ontario Place and train twice a week. Some teams train as many as five or even eight times a week. Glen and his friends indicated that dragonboating is a supreme stress buster, providing welcome relief from the pressures of the classroom.

One of his team members indicated that I should definitely catch one of the most interesting teams in the race: a team of breast cancer survivors. So I started hunting in search of this team and I walked into the “Athlete’s Village” which had a variety of tents set up for the convenience of the athletes.

Finally I found the team, "Dragons Abreast", a group of women ranging in age between 35 and 75, who had all survived breast cancer. All were dressed in pink t-shirts to draw attention to the cause of breast cancer. I started talking to the group and found out that some of the group’s members have travelled to various destinations all across the world to promote the cause of breast cancer awareness. Some of them have recently travelled to Capetown, South Africa, and this year a number of them are participating in an international dragonboat race in Singapore.

Dianne, their media coordinator, explained that they race to promote awareness among younger women to participate in early breast cancer detection programs. She added that in the past many women were told to avoid strenuous upper body exercise after breast cancer surgery. The paddlers at Dragons Abreast on the other hand firmly believe that the exercise involved in dragonboating actually has significant health benefits, both physical and psychological.

One of the team members, a lady by the name of Pam, had recently participated in an initiative called UpKili: an event where 30 breast cancer survivors and their friends climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for Breast Cancer Research. In total more than US$120,000 was raised. Pam told me that she ended up having an accident during the climb and had to be rescued and taken down by a team of sherpas. Nevertheless this was one of the most exciting events in her life time, being part of this unique initiative for this great cause. And despite her injury she ended up taking part in a safari even after the climb was finished. I was really happy to have connected with this group of courageous women who had overcome so much and are now taking their inspiring message to audiences across the world.

The official opening ceremony was going to be held at noon so I raced back into the main festival area. A group of politicians and dignitaries was assembled on the stage and after a number of speeches and welcoming remarks by the President of the Toronto Chinese Business Association, the ribbon cutting ceremony was held. A performance of the Lion Dance and the Eye-Dotting Ceremony of the Lions provided an authentic Chinese cultural flavour to this event. This was followed up by the Waist Drum Dance, organized and performed by the Chinese Professional Women Association of Canada.

I then strolled the grounds and by this time the food court was quite busy. Every special event has its special characters and just after the opening ceremony I saw this group of people strolling determinedly across the lawn, obviously a dragon boat team that had just finished their race. Their leader was pulling an imitation version of a multi-functional dragon boat that was spewing smoke, blowing soap bubbles and blaring Michael Jackson dance tunes through the built-in stereo system. The group was marching at a pretty fast clip and I had a hard time trying to keep up with them and taking pictures at the same time. Finally they settled in the shade by the water and I asked one of the team members what this was all about. He explained that his team was called "Kindred Spirits" and that they represented the Kinsmen in Bolton. They had indeed finished their last race of the day and were now ready to relax and celebrate, and their special miniature dragon boat was a symbol of their determination to have a great party.

The colourful characters kept coming. I ran into two bagpipers from the Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner’s Own “Pipes and Drums”, a group of uniformed and civilian volunteers, who make appearances as ambassadors for the O. P.P. all throughout Ontario. These two gentlemen were just enjoying a pizza when I came up to them and asked them about their upcoming performance. They said they would be performing at about 1 pm, “somewhere in the shade”. Both of them were dressed up in full Scottish regalia, kilt and all, wearing the colours of the Ontario tartan.

Of course I also had to ask them the key question that is burning on everybody’s lips when they encounter a Scottish bagpiper. The officer kindly responded and said that the answer totally depends on the question:

- If the question is “What is worn under the kilt?”, the answer is “nothing is worn under the kilt, everything is in great working order”.

- If the question is “What are you wearing under the kilt?”, the appropriate answer is “socks and shoes”.

That meant my curiosity remained unsatisfied, but I got a chuckle out of the answers which no doubt must have been given dozens of times before to deflect nosy queries. I only had about another hour on the island before I had to head back to the city, so I put on my inline skates and started gliding southwards through the gardens on Toronto Island which feature a fountain, several flower beds and reflecting ponds. South of there are locker rooms, the Island Bicycle Rental building as well as the Island Pier. West of this area is Manitou Beach, a sandy haven for avid sun worshippers. Further west from there is Hanlan’s Point, Toronto’s only clothing optional beach.

I had to get back to the mainland, so I started rollerblading in the other direction, eastwards towards Ward’s Island. Along the way I found numerous spots with canals, inlets and sailboats set against the backdrop of the city, indeed some of the best places to take in Toronto’s skyline in perfect serenity. Ward’s Island itself houses a community of permanent residents, many of them artists.

I ran into one of these talented folks, who was fabric painting on t-shirts in the middle of the lawn. Christopher Pinheiro is a Trinidadian-born multi-disciplinarian artist. His description on the Toronto Islands website lists him as “actor, dancer, model, masquerader, soup-chef and textstylist”. We had a brief chat about his fabric art as he was just painting a red maple leaf which would later be adorned by yellow and blue sections. Christopher is obviously an important member of the Toronto Islands artist community.

At 2:15 I caught the ferry back to the mainland from Wards Island together with probably another 20 or 30 travellers. Arrival on the other side was a different story: the ferry docks and the public area outside the ferry buildings were completely full with hundreds of people, lining up all the way out to Front Street. I guess everyone wanted to catch a piece of the Toronto Islands on this gorgeous day…

For the entire article including photos please visit

travelandtransitions. com/stories_photos/dragonboats2006.htm

Cape town in 48 hours

So you’re in Cape Town on a whistle-stop tour and want to try squeeze as much of the Mother City as possible into your 48 hours?

You could spend a year in this beautiful city and still not have seen and experienced all it has to offer, but let’s see what we can do to make sure you don’t miss out on the ‘Must Sees’ - especially for first-timers.

The idea of this itinerary is to whet your appetite so that you return as soon as possible to do Cape Town full justice!

On landing at Cape Town International Airport, let’s for argument’s sake assume your flight lands at 8 a. m., you need to retrieve your luggage, collect your hire car, and head directly to the Table Mountain Cable Way, above Cape Town’s city centre. Leave the bulk of your luggage and simply take a back pack with money, a camera, sunblock and a warm top. Your early arrival should ensure that you don’t need to queue for very long. The ride up in the revolving cable car offers your first real look at the sprawling city and surrounds – with a unique 360 degree perspective. Once you arrive at the top you can enjoy breakfast at the restaurant, taking the time to fill in postcards bragging to your friends that you are having your first meal in the Cape on top of one of the world’s most famous and imposing landmark mountains!

Don’t linger too long over that second cup of coffee – you need to be down by midday to go into the CBD for a spot of shopping and exploring. Depending on your personal tastes you may enjoy browsing and gift-buying at the famous Green Market Square (open daily in the week and on Saturday mornings), or you might prefer to take in an exhibition at one of the local art galleries and museums. The main Cape Town Iziko Museum is set in the heart of the historical Cape Company Gardens which in themselves provide a lovely setting for a stroll.

Next, head to the Victoria & Albert Waterfront for a luscious lunch at one of the many eateries overlooking the harbour. More shops beckon and you could spend all day exercising your credit card, but leave enough time for a late afternoon drive around the Atlantic Seaboard. Enjoy sundowners at trendy Camps Bay or beautiful Clifton – both have exquisite white beaches lapped by aquamarine waters, and numerous pavement cafes overlooking them.

This area is ideal for booking your first night’s accommodation as there are numerous luxury self catering apartments, villas and guest houses – be sure you’ve booked ahead to avoid disappointment. Once you’ve checked in and freshened up, head out for a dinner and some gambling fun at Grand West Casino – a 15 minute drive from the CBD. If you prefer to dance, there are some great little clubs in town, or you could head back to the Waterfront and enjoy a movie or attend the Theatre on the Bay right in Camps Bay which almost always has an excellent production on the go. Once again, plan and book in advance. Local newspapers and Time Out magazine will have details on what’s on entertainment-wise.

No matter how tired you are when you finally fall into bed, set the alarm clock so that you’re on the road early. If you’re really enthusiastic you may even catch the sunrise! In any event, take a leisurely drive, against the daily traffic, to Hout Bay. Here you can enjoy a delicious breakfast and perhaps browse around the harbour-side shops and market. Then get your camera ready for a spectacular drive – over Chapman’s Peak which surely offers the most breath-taking sea and mountain views anywhere. At the end of the pass is Noordhoek. If you’ve planned ahead you can go for an hour’s horse ride along the wide expanse of the beautiful beach. Make sure you’re back behind the wheel in time to take the winding coastal road past Kommetjie, via Scarborough. Here you can enjoy a delectable lunch followed by a walk up to the viewing point of the tip of the African continent.

Later, drive on into Simon’s Town and be fascinated by the Jackass Penguin Colony at Boulders and Seaforth Beaches. The recently built Penguin Centre offers a mine of information on these curious and cute sea birds.

Next, head along the coastal road out of Muizenberg, along Strandfontein to Stellenbosch in the heart of the Cape Wine Route. Book in at Spier Wine Estate and dine at the wildly unusual and exquisite Moya, Spier’s own restaurant. Moya often has live music, dance or theatre productions. Find out in advance and book! We guarantee a good night’s sleep will follow…

Okay, so we’re cheating and are adding a couple more hours, but really, can you blame us? You can’t leave before cramming in a visit to at least two of the local wine estates before driving back to Cape Town International Airport in time to bid the city a sad farewell.

As the plane takes off and you get a final glimpse of Cape Town we know you’ll be promising to be back as soon as you possibly can.

Trips to hawaii getting there without going broke

A trip to Hawaii, how does that sound? If you are like just about everyone else in the world, you would likely think that it sounds pretty great. As much as a large number of individuals would love to take a Hawaii trip, only a small portion of those individuals end up doing so. There are a number of different reasons for this, but one of the most common reasons is money. Unfortunately, a large number of individuals, mistakenly, believe that a Hawaii trip is out of their reach. If you are interested in taking a Hawaii trip, there are a number of different ways that you can go about doing so, without having to go broke.

Perhaps, the best way to save money on a Hawaii trip is by watching how you book your reservations. In Hawaii, you will often have your choice of a number of overnight accommodations. These overnight accommodations tend to include vacation resorts, vacation homes, hotels, and oceanfront rentals. In most cases, you will find that it is cheaper to stay at a vacation resort or hotel, than it is to rent a private vacation home. If you plan on traveling around Hawaii a lot, you may also find it easier and cheaper to rent your own vehicle, instead of relying on public transportation. By carefully choosing and making all of your travel arrangements, including your overnight accommodations, you should easily be able to save money on your next Hawaii trip.

In addition to carefully choosing where you stay and how you will travel, while on a Hawaii trip, it might also be a good idea to make your reservations with the purchase of a Hawaii vacation package. Hawaii vacation packages tend to include a number of important things, all in one package. It is not uncommon for Hawaii vacation packages to include overnight accommodations, airline reservations, and car rentals. Perhaps, what is the best about vacation packages is the ability to make one large payment, for your trip to Hawaii, instead of having to make multiple payments. In addition to saving yourself time and a hassle, you should also save yourself money. Almost all Hawaii vacation packages include travel deals and discounts; deals and discounts that just may make a trip to Hawaii affordable.

You can also enjoy a Hawaii trip, without having to go broke, by thoroughly planning for your trip. This can be done once you have already made your reservations and as you are preparing to leave for Hawaii. For instance, you will want to examine what the weather forecast will be like in Hawaii for your trip. The projected weather forecast is vital to the preparation of your Hawaii trip. Should you pack the wrong clothes or head to Hawaii unprepared, you may need to make additional purchases once you arrive there. Whether you need to purchase warmer clothes or health and beauty products, these unnecessary purchases can easily drive up the cost of a trip to Hawaii. That is why it is advised that you take the time, before you leave for the airport, to make sure that you have everything that you need, as well as everything that you will want for your trip.

It might also be a good idea to plan out the attractions and activities that you would like to participate in or visit while on vacation. You can easily familiarize yourself with popular Hawaii activities and attractions by using the internet or by requesting free Hawaii vacation guides. Planning out your activities, ahead of time, may give you the opportunity to determine how much you will have to pay for them. If you are looking to enjoy your Hawaii trip, without having to pay more than you want or need to, creating a travel plan, as well as a travel budget is the way to go.

Although Hawaii trips are almost always worth the money that is spent on them, no matter how much or how little that money is, you may not want to spend more money than you need to. By keeping the above mentioned points in mind, you can easily enjoy a Hawaii trip, without having to go broke.

Overland park attractions - arabia steamboat museum

Are you planning on visiting the Overland Park, Kansas area soon? If you are you must read this article. It will tell you about one of the best places to visit in Overland Park. That place is the Arabia Steamboat Museum. Keep reading to learn a little more about this great destination.

The Arabia Steamboat Museum is a museum dedicated to preserving a steamboat by the name of the Arabia which traveled the rivers until 1856. In 1856 it sank and was lost only to be rediscovered 132 years later with its cargo still intact. It is an interesting destination to say the least. So what is there for you to see and experience at the museum? The museum will give you a glimpse into the life of the frontiers of the past. When you arrive you will be taken on a guided tour which will tell you about this steamboats history. It will tell you about its history, its sinking and its resurrection. The tour even includes a short video of the excavation process which will show you what went into reclaiming the vessel. You will then be taken to the actual ship which is quite a sight for any history buff. The museum is not only about the vessel though. It is also about the contents of the steamboat which were also recovered. Case after case was recovered from the vessel. This includes glass bottles, fabrics, sewing supplies and a number of different personal belongings which are of great interest. There is for example tools, dolls and more items that belonged to those aboard the ship. And since the museum is still a work in progress more items are being offered every day. Items are still being painstakingly restored behind the scenes. This means that the museum is constantly changing and expanding so even if you have been to it before you might want to take a return trip.

Hopefully this article has give you enough information to convince you to add the Arabia Steamboat Museum to your list of things to see in Overland Park. You can find the museum at 400 Grand Boulevard in Overland Park. For more information call (816) 471-1856 . Enjoy.

Improvements in video security a proactive approach towards safer travel

Video security is as much a part of airports as planes and runways. It is unthinkable for an airport - any airport - not to have video security. In fact, in the wake of the events of 9/11, the video security of airports have undergone remarkable transformations.

Innovations in Airport Video Security

If there is anything that the tragic events of 9/11 revealed, it is this: airport security, no matter how sophisticated, is not infallible. Anyone determined to beat the system may do so, provided that he has the gadget and technology needed. With this in mind, experts are now rethinking their approach to airport video security. Instead of collecting data after an incident, the focus is now on anticipating events and addressing problems even before they take place. Additionally, they have introduced two technological breakthroughs to airport surveillance and video security, namely, intelligent video and face recognition.

Intelligent Video Security?

Intelligent video is the latest offspring of the marriage between established video security and newly plumbed video technologies. How does it work? A software is made to work with existing airport CCTV systems. This software revolutionizes the detection process. Traditional video security requires that personnel keep close watch of the images captured. This system is flawed because no matter how many personnel an airport employs, it still is possible to overlook an area, for example. After all, how can one lock into a threatening situation quickly and reliably when one has hundreds, if not thousands, of CCTV cameras to watch?

With intelligent video security, cameras do not only monitor movement, they report aberrant or suspicious behavior. Cameras classify behavior as suspicious if they deviate from the patterns of normal activity coded into the video security system. Once anomalous behavior from a passenger is noted, a video clip is sent to a responder, via pager, laptop, cell phone, or the control center. Should the first responder fail to act, the video clip is sent to another responder.

Face Recognition in Video Security

Another upgrade to airport video security is face recognition. It is already in use in some airports, although application is limited to airport personnel for the time being. Face recognition is highly useful in verifying identity. It is used in two ways in airports. The first is in watch list screening. Live images of passengers are compared to a database of known criminals. The second is in regulating access to restricted areas or airport controls. Badges and uniforms can be stolen easily and quickly; it will require plenty of work to steal a face.

Experts believe that integration of face recognition in the video security of all airports is a cost-effective solution not only to security concerns, but also to lags in paper processing. With face recognition, it will become easier to identify people and match the face to existing records.

It is unanimously accepted that video security helps improve travel safety. Having the best video technology in the world, however, is not what's important. It's what you do with it that counts.