Top Five African Safari Destinations

Any vacations in Africa will not be complete without going on a safari to experience the wild animals and the peace and tranquillity of the bushveld. But there are literally hundreds of national parks and wildlife areas in Africa that you can travel to. And some are definitely better than others when it comes to providing the potential for a great safari holiday. In my experience, and in the general consensus of the wildlife tour industry and other sources such as the first hand accounts of safari trips in the travel diaries at African Safari Journals, here are the top five safari vacations in Africa: 1. Tanzania - Serengeti During the annual migration, when the wildebeest and zebra pack up and leave their grazing areas to find fresher ones, the Serengeti is an astonishing place to be. It s a very good safari vacations in Africa destination at other times of the year too but the migration has been ranked by many as one of the wonders of the natural world. Hard to beat in the safari stakes. 2. Kenya - Masai Mara If you want to see the big cats, this wildlife park is hard to beat. Lion, leopard and cheetah abound and they are relatively easy to spot because of the grassland vegetation which means you get unrestricted views for miles around. Another big plus is the fact that going off-road is allowed as long as you are not making new trails of your own. This is one of the few vacations in Africa parks that still allows this and it is a big advantage because the animals will rarely oblige you and stay next to the major roads. The only downside here is that because of it s popularity there are a lot of people around so if you want to spend time in isolation with nature this is not the place to go. 3. South Africa - Kruger National Park For sheer variety of species no other place in Africa can come close to the Kruger Park. And because it is so large (larger than Wales) it has a number of different ecosystems that you can pass through in your search for animals and birds. It is one of the best managed parks in Africa and the accommodation and infrastructure is superb. 4. Botswana - Selinda Reserve Seasoned safari travellers rate this reserve in north Botswana extremely highly and they return to it again and again, drawn by the very high concentration of wildlife, high standard of accommodation, service and exclusivity. 5. Zambia - South Luangwa National Park South Luangwa is a diamond in the rough, just waiting for enough exposure to bring it to its rightful place at the crown of vacations in African wildlife destinations. But for the moment it s relative isolation as one of Africa s best kept secrets is part of it s rustic charm. It has a reputation as one of the best places in Africa to see the elusive leopard and it is the birthplace of the walking safari. Bruce Whittaker is the founder of African Safari Journals and has been on numerous safaris throughout Africa. African Safari Journals contains various safari travel diaries and photographs from previous trips to aid in choosing possible African safari vacations.

Art Glass Supplies

Creating glass art is a wonderful and rewarding hobby. You can create glass figurines for yourself, blow glass art to give away as gifts, or even sell your beautiful glass art creations. If you are a glass art creator, you are probably always on the lookout for art glass supplies. And if you are just starting out, you need to know what kinds of supplies are necessary. Our list of art glass supplies and where to get them will help you get started acquiring the items you need or replenish your existing supplies. The first type of art glass supplies is safety equipment. Before you buy anything else, you should stock up on glasses, gloves, clothing protection and any other glass safety supplies you need. This will depend on what kind of glass art you are participating in. When coloring glass, you should always have good gloves. If you are into blowing glass, you need heat protection. And you should consider proper footwear in any art glass endeavor. The second type of art glass supplies is decorative items. Things such as coloring and molds are needed in order to be creative in your glass making. You should also look into purchasing glass art books. These books come in a range of subjects, from safety concerns and getting started, to advanced techniques and creative ideas. You might also look into purchasing a coffee table-style book filled with pictures of stained glass art. These books can be very inspiring and help you create better glass art pieces of your own. If you are into more specific glass art hobbies, then you may have different art glass supply needs. Individuals who make glass art beads and jewelry will need jeweler’s supplies and equipment in addition to beads and bead-making supplies. If you choose to buy your glass beads instead of make them, you have a wide variety of options. Craft stores and internet sites offer infinite design possibilities for you to choose from. If you are a glass blower, you will need special equipment for making your art. A glass blowing machine can be found affordably when you buy used. Check online at sites such as ebay. You might also check to see if there glass blowing shops in your area. Many times these places allow patrons the use of a glass blowing machine for an hourly fee. You will also need additional safety equipment if you are a glass blower, make sure you are covered and safe as this hobby can be a dangerous one. Spun glass is a wonderful art form and a great way to decorate your home. If you are looking for design tips, spun glass decoration, and information on art glass supplies and antique stained glass or spun glass decor and gifts we can help by providing information, FAQs and reviews. Spun glass figurines also make wonderful gifts. A new piece of spun glass art depicting a happy couple makes an excellent wedding gift. Or hand down tradition with a gift of antique spun glass for a college graduation, a monumental birthday, or some other special occasion. If you choose to make spun glass beads and jewelry, then you know how rewarding this hobby can be.

Grand Canyon Tour

The many colors of this canyon offer the visitor a breathtaking experience that will leave you awestruck at the awesome beauty of the Canyon and its surroundings. The Arizona area where the Canyon is located and is close to the famous Las Vegas and Hoover Dam. Grand Canyon Tours are run in the National Park and include Horse trail riding, Helicopter flights and white water rafting. The National Park offers a great number of accommodation and restaurants for the individual and family. The Winter season usually welcomes a blanket of snow over the surrounding of National Park village and is very beautiful in it s natural surroundings. It is not unusual to see the many wild life in the Grand Canyon such as the soaring wedge tail eagle and Mountain Hawk. Also the Tours that operates through many tour operators, allows you to see the bottom of the Canyon via hiking or horse back where you can experience other types of wild life in the river area. What Are My Tour Options? Grand Canyon tours vary from all types of adventure and activities. These include: All Terrain Vehicle Tour Bus Tour Airplane Tour Hummer Tour Rafting Tour Horse Back Tour and Wedding Tour. The best way to see the Grand Canyon is via airplane or helicopter before landing to stay at the national park resort. The national park has several places to visit and the tour that you can organize will be able to show you different places around the Grand Canyon National Park. To see more articles and information vist jstar-travel.com

Ireland: Features

Map and Location Island Location: Ireland is an island off western Europe in the Northern Atlantic Ocean. Ireland is a divided country, with independent governments. The Republic of Ireland (also called Ireland or Eire) occupies 5/6th of the island of Ireland Northern Ireland occupies 1/6th of the island and is a part of the United Kingdom. Capital(s) Republic of Ireland: Dublin. Northern Ireland: Belfast Official languages: English and Gaelic. Size: The Republic of Ireland covers 27,135 square miles (70,280 sq km).Population: The population of Ireland is about 3,689,000 (as of 2000). Climate: Ireland has a cool, often-cloudy climate. Flag of Ireland The Republic of Ireland s flag is tricolor, and is made of three equal-sized rectangles of orange, white, and green. The flag is twice as wide as it is tall. The green side is by the flagpole. This flag was first used in 1848. Colors in the flag represent the native population and religious beliefs in Ireland.Green: Signifies the native people of Ireland (most of whom are Roman Catholic). Orange: Represents the British supporters of William of Orange who settled in Northern Ireland in the 17th century (most of whom are Protestant). White: White occupies the center of the flag and signifies peace between these two groups of people. Irish Provinces: Commonly known as the Four Green Fields of Ireland. Irelands 4 provinces. Connacht is the north-western province of Ireland, comprising the counties of Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon. Leinster is the eastern province of Ireland, comprising the counties of Louth, Meath, Dublin, Wicklow, Wexford, Kilkenny, Carlow, Laois, Offaly, Kildare, Westmeath and Longford. Munster is the southernmost province of Ireland, comprising the counties of Claire, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperrary, and Waterford. Ulster forms one of the historical provinces of Ireland. Six of its Nine counties Antrim, Armagh, Derry, Down, Fermanagh, and Tyrone, are known together as Northern Ireland. Three counties Cavan, Donegal, and Monaghan, are part of the Republic of Ireland. Irish Identifiable: Claddagh: The Friendship, Lovea and Loyalty Symbol or Ireland The Claddagh design is said to originate from the Galway Area, and the Aran Islands. The Claddagh ring was originally worn by men, but later used as a Marriage Ring for Men and Women. The symbol is comprised of 2 hands, a heart and a crown.The hands symbolize the 2 parties involved. The heart is the seat of affection or love. And the crown perfection. So, a perfect union of love between 2 parties. Common word translations to the Claddagh are: Friendship (hands), Love (heart) and Loyalty (crown). Harp Emblem: Its Importance in Irish History The harp symbol has been recognized as the emblem of Ireland since the 13th century. It was officially adopted as Ireland’s national symbol when the Irish Free State was created in 1922. The most famous Harp of Ireland is the Brian Boru harp which is located at the Trinity College in Dublin. The Boru harp is the oldest surviving Irish harp, and is the model used for the State emblem. Trinity Symbol: The Trinity Symbol is an ancient Celtic design. The Trinity emblem is an ancient symbol for a high spiritual dignity. In the Christian faith, it represents the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Trinity symbol has been inscribed in stone, and also has been colored. Red for power, faith, language and sacrifice. Blue -represents faith and trust. Green â€"color of the plants and trees, suggests hope of life eternal. Celtic Cross: The Celtic Cross is possibly the best known symbol of Early Christianity in Ireland. The High Celtic Cross is a self contained monument, and are as high as 20 feet. They are generally made of sandstone, and their main characteristic feature is a circle connecting the arms. The rings around the high cross may have been a symbol of the cosmos, and at the center is the Crucificition of Christ. Or, the ring may have been a structural piece, to prevent the arms of the cross from snapping off. There are many decorations on the crosses many including scenes from the bible, while others feature animal Interlace, and scroll work. The crosses at Monasterboise and Cross of Scriptures, Clonmacnoise are good examples for the traditional Celtic Cross. Irish Famous: Brian Boru Harp Brian Boru (c. 940-1014) The last of the High King’s to lift Ireland out of the ruins of the Norse Age. He rebuilt ruined churches, built others, he sent overseas to replace lost books and artifacts and all that he possibly could to heal the wounds of the past two centuries of Norse pillage. One of the symbols most associated with Irieand is the Brian Boru Harp. This Harp is now located in the Long room, at the Trinity College Library, in Dublin. The harp is the national symbol of Ireland. Short Irish History: Irelands Areas of Historical Interest: Interesting sites in Ireland include: Bru na Boinne (Newgrange), Boyne Valley, Ceide Fields, Clonmacnoise, Croagh Patrick, Dun Aengus, Glendalough, Hill of Tara, Lough Derg, Skellig Michael, Rock of Cashel. Bru na Boinne “Boyne Palace”: Ireland’s Stonehenge One of Ireland’s most spectacular archaeological sites is located in the Boyne Valley in County Meath. Newgrange, Dowth and Knowth were built around the same time that Stonehenge was erected in England. These tombs were built around 3200 B.C., several centuries before the great pyramids of Egypt. The exact reason these sites were built is unknown, but one of their features, is that they may have been used as an ancient form of solar calendar. The Newgrange site was designed to catch the sun during the winter solstice (December 19-23), the rising sun shines thru a slit over the entrance, and lights up the burial chamber for 17 minutes. At Dowth, the light of the setting sun of the solstice illuminates one of the chambers. At Knowth, the rising sun of the spring and autumn equinoxes lights the eastern passage, while the setting sun may have caught the western passage those days. Clonmacnoise (Offaly) An early Christian monastic site founded by Saint Ciaran in the 6th century on the banks of the River Shannon at the crossroads of Ireland in County Offaly. The Clonmacnoise location borders the three provinces of Connaught, Munster and Leinster. The monastery is on the east side of the River Shannon, in what was then the Kingdom of Meath, but occupying a position so central it was the burial-place of many of the kings of Connaught as well as those of Tara. The site includes the ruins of a cathedral, eight churches (10th-13th century), two round towers, three high crosses and a large collection of early Christian grave slabs. The original high crosses and grave slabs are on display in the Visitor Centre. Hill of Tara (Meath) Though best known as the seat of the High Kings of Ireland. 142 kings are said to have reigned there in prehistoric and historic times. The Hill of Tara has been an important site since the late Stone Age when a passage-tomb was constructed there. Tara was at the height of its power as a political and religious centre in the early centuries after Christ. Features of the Hill of Tara include the Mound of the Hostages, the Stone of Destiny, and Ancient Standing Stones Rock of Cashel (Tipperary) This was the seat of kings and mediaeval bishops for 900 years and flourished until the early 17th century. A spectacular group of stone fort Medieval buildings set on an outcrop of limestone in the Golden Vale. Features include 12th century round tower, High Cross and Romanesque Chapel, 13th century Gothic cathedral, 15th century Castle and the restored Hall of the Vicars Choral. The original forbidding fortification of the Eoghanachta, kings of Munster. Brian Ború was crowned King of Munster here in 977 and he became High King of Ireland in 1002. He was the first high king to exact universal and effective tribute from the other kings of Ireland. Dun Aengus: Dún Aonghasa (Dun Aengus - Angus Fort) The mysterious structure of Dun Aengus is situated on the western side of Inish Mór, one of the three Aran Islands (Oileáin Árainn), stone outcrops, in the Atlantic thirty miles (48 kms) west of Galway City. The islands, Inish Mór, Inishmann and Inisheer have some of Europe s finest examples of pre-historic and early Christian antiquities.Dun Aengus is a vast fortification perched on the summit of a hill that rises precipitously from the ocean to a height of 300 feet (100 meters). Half the site, consisting of three concentric enclosures, has fallen into the sea, but what is left makes a fascinating sight. The cliff edge at Cahercommoun in the Burren is Early Christian and Dún Aonghasa is believed to be much older. Dun Aengus has been estimated to have been built anywhere from 900BC to 500C. Glendalough (Wicklow) This early Christian monastic site was founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century. Set in a glaciated valley with two lakes, the monastic remains include a superb round tower, stone churches and decorated crosses.In the 6th centaury St. Kevin founded a monastery and from this grew a monastic city, which became famous as a centre of learning throughout Europe. The spectacular Round Tower in the Monastic City stands an impressive 34m high and 16m in circumference.The tower was originally built as a bell tower and a place of refuge when the monastery was attacked. There are many stone crosses and churches to see. As well as these magnificent remains, there is the breathtaking scenery of the valley to enjoy. Croagh Patrick (Mayo) Is a holy mountain in Ireland, located in south Mayo, 5 miles from Westport, and on Clew Bay. It is a conical mountain that is said to be the place where St. Patrick banished the snakes from Ireland. Today it is a pilgrimage spot, where visitors from all over the world. It is said that St. Patrick fasted for 40 days at the summit of the mountain. Croagh Patrick is also known as the “Reek”, and on “Reek Sunday”, the last Sunday in July, thousands come to follow the steps of Patrick. Today, a church sits on the top of the “Reek”. It is said, that if you climb Croagh Patrick three times, you will have earned yourself a place in heaven. Bridget Regan: Student of Ireland and its beauty. Webmistress of celticdan.com

Canoeing in Arusha National Park

Arusha National Park is only a few Kilometers from Arusha and is a small but beautiful park set in the shadow of Mount Meru. There is a sting of lakes in this park and canoeing has recently been added to the tourist activities in this park. One lake known as ‘Small Momela’ successful launched the canoeing safari this year. This is a great way to see the park from a new perspective. It is good to get out of your vehicle and actually get some exercise and get ‘down and personal’ with the African Bush. This chance to view the animals in their natural habitat should not be passed by. The Tanzania Government have handed the operation of this canoeing safari to an Arusha based company called Green Footprints Adventure. These canoes can be booked direct or though your operator, or even you driver/guide will be able to organize this mini-adventure for you. From the lake you are able to get a closer look at hippos and the amazing bird life that normally would go unnoticed from your safari vehicle. Even though this park is very accessible the parks authority claim only 7,000 visitors in 1995 this has dramatically increased to an expected 50,000 for this year. Lying between the peaks of Kilimanjaro and Meru, Arusha National Park is outstandingly beautiful, with a wide range of habitats, form a string of crater lakes where many water birds can be watched through the highland mountain forest to the imposing summit of Mount Meru at 4,500 meters above sea level. The forest contains a wealth of birds and other animals like the bushbuck which are easily glimpsed between ancient cedar trees or the striking black and white colobus monkeys climbing along their branches. The interesting geology of the area is reflected in the impressive view of the ash cone and cliff face leading to the summit of Mount Meru. Those who ascend the summit of the mountain are rewarded with unparalleled views of the majestic Mt. Kilimanjaro and the Rift Valleys. I would recommend a visit to this most underrated park. It is very accessible to any itinerary based in the north of Tanzania. For more information on these issues or any relating to Tanzania see tanzania-info.co.uk and betheladventure.co.uk tourism can change lives.

Doggin Toadstool Geologic Park: Hike With Your Dog In Nebraska s Badlands

Doggin Toadstool Geologic Park: Hike With Your Dog In Nebraska s Badlands America’s badlands received their ominous name when early settlers found it impossible to safely roll a wagon through the cracked lunar landscape in the Upper Midwest. Our most famous badlands are preserved in national parks in the Dakotas - and off limits to canine hikers. To give your dog a chance to explore these unique lands of sculpted rock, head south from the Dakotas to the lesser-known badlands of the Nebraska panhandle. Here in the Gala National Grasslands you will find dog-freindly Toadstool Geologic Park where the relentless tag-team of water and wind have carved fanciful rock formations into the stark hills. The “toadstools” form when underlying soft clay stone erodes faster than the hard sandstone that caps it. You can hike with your dog on a marked, mile-long interpretive loop that leads you on an educational adventure through these badlands. Your dog is welcome on the hard rock trail but you can also explore off the path for close-up looks in the gullies at fossil bone fragments that lace the rocks and 30-million year-old footprints preserved in the stone. There are some rocks to be scaled along the route but this ramble under banded cliffs of clay and ash is suitable for any level of canine hiker. There is only sporadic shade and seasonal streams in this ancient riverbed so bring plenty of water for your dog, especially in the summer months. Take a break at the end of the hike in the small fenced yard of the reproduced sod house beside the parking lot. For extended canine hikes, Toadstool Park connects to the world-renowned Hudson-Meng Bison Boneyard via a three-mile trail. This archeological site seeks to unravel the mystery of how over 600 bison died nearly 10,000 years ago in an area about the size of a football stadium. Human predation is the leading suspect. Toadstool Geologic Park is located 19 miles NW of Crawford, Nebraska on US Forest Route 904 off State highway 2/71. The trail begins at the back of the six- unit campground. I am the author of over 20 books, including 8 on hiking with your dog and the widely praised The Canine Hiker s Bible. As publisher of Cruden Bay Books, we produce the innovative A Bark In The Park series of canine hiking books found at hikewithyourdog.com Articles in the Doggin America series of dog- friendly parks can be found at DogginAmerica.com During the warm months I lead canine hikes for hikewithyourdog.com tours, guiding packs of dogs and humans on hiking adventures. Tours, ranging from one-day trips to multi-day explorations, visit parks, historical sites and beaches. My lead dog is Katie, a German Shepherd- Border Collie mix, who has hiked in all of the Lower 48 states and is on a quest to swim in all the great waters of North America - web.mac.com/crudbay/iWeb/Katies Blog/Katies Quest.html

Tips for Enjoying the Night Sky

Looking up into the night sky is our oldest recorded hobby. Thousands of years ago, people around the globe began recording their star gazing experiences. Many of these early journals are now found in museums, in caves or in protected wild places. Today, what I find most fascinating when I look up is the wide variety of objects in the night sky and realizing that they’ve been there for a very long time. Here are a few simple tips and techniques to use when star gazing. Use them and you too will enjoy the views right outside your door. The first thing you’ll need to do is to put yourself in the best possible viewing position. This can be very difficult if you’re in a metropolitan area, such as Phoenix, where our man made lights obscure the natural ones. You should be able to find suitable sites for night viewing within 30 minutes of most cities. A good way to learn about viewing places in your area is to contact a local astronomy club and you can learn about these clubs at astronomyclubs.com. My favorite spot is at Granite Basin in the Prescott National Forest where on a clear night the stars seem to pour down on you. As a child my favorite spot was on top of our garage. Once you’ve found your spot and you look at the sky, one of two things will occur to you very quickly. You’ll either wish you had taken the weather into consideration or you’ll wish you knew more about all those lights in the night sky . That brings us to tip number two â€" do a little homework. Be sure the weather forecast is conducive to stargazing. It’s tough to see through the clouds. Sometimes you won’t know about the clouds until you are there, but if you know a storm is covering most of the area, you may want to reschedule. More importantly, you should spend a little time learning what objects you can expect to see on that particular day from that particular spot. This information is often listed in the weather section of your local newspaper or you may find it on websites such as astronomy.com or space.com or nasa.gov. Stars, planets and their moons, meteor showers, comets, our Moon, the International Space Station, satellites and the Space Shuttle are a few of the common objects you can see with the naked eye â€" if you know where and how to look for them. As with most hobbies, you’ll get the most enjoyment out of your star gazing experience if you have a few tools of the trade. For instance I would recommend a good pair of binoculars for looking at objects such as the Moon and planets. I carry Nikon’s 8 x 42mm Monarch. I also use these for bird watching and they’re great for both activities. I would also recommend a guide book such as the “National Audubon Society’s Field Guide to the Night Sky” which happens to be the one I that carry. A small flashlight with a red lens cover is perfect for reading your guide book while star gazing. Using a light with a red lens cover prevents you from “losing” your night vision. Once you get the star gazing “fever,” you’ll want to get a telescope, a journal, a camera, a second telescope and so on. This hobby is quite addictive. Finally, the number one tip for stargazing success is to take someone along with you. It’s a lot of fun to lay in the back of your pick up truck or on your blanket and look up into the heavens with someone your really care about. It doesn’t get much better than that. I recall a line from the Neil Diamond song “Done Too Soon” when he talks about famous people down through the ages and he says, “and they all looked up in wonder at the same moon.” It’s somehow reassuring that our ancestors looked up and saw what we see today and what our descendants will see tomorrow. Use this information and you’ll Get It Right The First Time. Get Outdoors! Chuck Fitzgerald, The Outdoor Guy, has written a beginner’s guide to bird watching call Learning to Bird. Visit birdwatchingebook.com to see just how easy and how much fun Bird Watching really is. Chuck is the owner of Arizona based BackCountry Toys, an online store helping you to have fun in the great outdoors. To get maximum enjoyment out of your outdoor life, visit BackCountryToys.com where you’ll find great gear and the Tips and Tales e-newsletter, FreshAir. (800) 316-9055.

Choosing The Right Tropical Guayabera Shirt For The Occasion

The Guayabera shirt or Mexican wedding shirt is a very comfortable and elegant shirt, this world famous piece of clothing has more than 200 years of history choosing the right shirt for your event is key to having a good experience. Most of the time the guayabera shirt has about the same design with the traditional four front pockets and the pleated bands front and back, these bands are also known as pin-tucks. You need to select the guayabera based on the type of event or party you are having. I here is a list of the main fabrics used today and their characteristics which will help make the right decision when selecting these beautiful tropical shirts. 100% Linen Guayabera shirt. A material made from the fibers of the flax plant, linen is the guayabera shirt traditional fabric of choice for its freshness and light weight. Very well suited for a outdoor party or event, if you are looking for a special shirt for a beach wedding the linen guayabera shirts are your best choice. The white color on this kind of fabric tends to be a very bright white and the darker colors have a slightly shine very unique top the linen fabric. 100% Irish Linen Guayabera Shirt. Irish linen is the best linen available and is thicker than the regular Chinese linen or linen guayabera shirts. These shirts are very strong and still very fresh they are also a good choice for an outdoor event, wedding, or corporate party. When you select these shirts you will received a top quality fabric and the best craftsmanship in the Guayabera or Mexican wedding shirt market. 100% Pima cotton Guayabera shirts. The pima cotton fabric is very soft light weight and very elegant fabric. Colors on this fabric have a tendency to look pastel to the eye. Choose the pima cotton fabric for a light and fresh guayabera shirt. The pima cotton is warmer than the linen fabric and well suited for an afternoon or evening event on a tropical island or a warm summer night. Poly / Cotton Blend Guayabera shirt. The poly / cotton Guayaberas are value priced Guayaberas; they are strong long lasting shirts. Machine washable. Made of 60% polyester and 35% cotton. These Guayaberas also have very colorful with designs and patterns. They are use at restaurants and hotels as uniforms too. MyCubanStore.com has been in business for 5 years delivering Guayaberas, linen sets, Mexican Wedding Shirts, linen pants and many other tropical items to customers around the world. Our return policy is the best in the market with a full year return. Contact Alexis Martin at 1800-657-0292 MyCubanStore.com or e-mail at alexis@mycubanstore.com

Beaver Creek Resort - The Definition Of A Colorado Luxury Vacation

The Bavarian influenced resort of Beaver Creek, Colorado is home to three base villages and the Beaver Creek Ski Resort. All of these villages are nestled in the heart of the Colorado Rockies with convenient access from both the Vail / Eagle Airport and Denver International Airport. With the Beaver Creek Village as the centerpiece, Bachelor Gulch and Arrowhead provide a unique European style, interconnected, village-to-village experience like that found in the Alps. The moment you drive through the gates of the Beaver Creek Resort you will witness the grandeur of luxury living in Colorado s magical mountains. Maybe its the award winning visitor services that make you feel right at home while in Beaver Creek. Or, maybe it s the distinguished lodging sprinkled throughout Beaver Creek Village, Bachelor Gulch and Arrowhead. Not only will you indulge in luxury living, your taste buds will thank you for experiencing culinary excellence at one or all of Beaver Creek s restaurants. Here are some tips for the ultimate Beaver Creek Luxury vacation. 1) Say Ahhhhhhhhh...In one of Beaver Creek s Spas. A Colorado ski vacation or a summer getaway isn t complete without kicking back and being pampered. Beaver Creek has gained quite the reputation for its spa services. Whether you re looking for a deep tissue massage or a facial before your Beaver Creek wedding, spending an afternoon at a Beaver Creek spa is a must. 2) Cozy Up In A Beaver Creek Luxury Vacation Rental. There is absolutely nothing more comforting than sitting by the fire with your partner while you reminisce about the days mountain activities. Enjoy sipping on a glass of wine while you relax in the comfort of your own Beaver Creek vacation rental or condo. Bachelor Gulch, Beaver Creek Village and Arrowhead all contain some of Colorado s finest luxury lodging. 3) Endless Adventures Abound in Beaver Creek, Colorado Beaver Creek, with its grandeur and sophistication, encompasses more than just a world-class ski resort. An unrivaled list of year-round adventures keep visitors coming back time and time again to explore Beaver Creek s endless activities. Summer, Winter, Spring and Fall all bring unique opportunities to explore Beaver Creek and the Vail Valley. Turquoise lakes filled with native Colorado Cutthroat Trout are in an abundance in the Beaver Creek Valley which are all accessible via a beautiful hiking trail. 4) Skiing and Snowboarding at Beaver Creek Ski Resort The Beaver Creek Ski Resort is a snow lovers playground. There s a reason why every year the Beaver Creek Resort hosts the annual FIS Men s World Cub Downhill. Come experience the steeps of the Bird s of Prey terrain and see first hand the thrill of making slalom turns on Colorado s best terrain. BeaverCreek.travel is your one-stop shop for Beaver Creek luxury vacations For the best prices make sure you purchase Beaver Creek discount ski and lift tickets This article was written by Brandon Quinn of the Colorado Travel Company.

Lake Tinaroo – Day Trip from Port Douglas

Port Douglas and beaches are synonymous. It offers a unique experience to the tourists. Yes, it is far from the madding crowd. Here you can have your own little space, your own apartment or holiday house, your own tropical beach, and your own private dinner. Perhaps, if you are in the mood to declare your lifelong devotion, you might plan your own lavish wedding â€" on a pristine beach, in a tropical rainforest, under water surrounded by corals, or up in the air. It is not for nothing that Port Douglas is called the wedding capital in these parts of the world. Yet, close by Port Douglas lie other enticing places that you may visit if you are in need for variety. Today, we take you to a charming place not a terribly long drive from Port Douglas, called Lake Tinaroo. So, very close to Port Douglas lie different charms which are otherwise equally attractive, one of them being Lake Tinaroo. A man-made reservoir created by the Barron dam, this huge lake provide opportunities for a dozen water sports and other activities, taking your aquatic adventures inland away from the well known coastline. Tinaroo is the heart of the Atherton Tablelands now also known as the Cairns Highlands. The Tablelands is a huge plateau west of the coast, at an average height of about one kilometre. During prehistoric times volcanoes in this region were a little too active, but fortunately resulted in creation of the charming crater lakes on the Tablelands. Tinaroo, however, is a different story, as it’s man made, created by the plugging of the Barron River for a dam. The low-lying areas then filled up to create a huge reservoir called Lake Tinaroo. Created during the mid-fifties, the Barron dam was a multipurpose dam, preventing flooding, providing drinking water supply, generating power (only since 2004) and providing the irrigation needs of an area covering more than 400 square kilometres. Of course, most multi-purpose dams do that; so what’s so special about Tinaroo? You have to see it to believe it! Tinaroo is a creature of developmental need that has turned into an object of beauty, a venue of real lakeside romance and adventure. Tinaroo is the darling of the Tablelands. People come in groups, as couples, or alone to savor the multifarious beauty of this lake. It looks different at sunrise, daytime or sunset, in autumn or in summer, under a torrential rainfall or during the dry season. The still waters of the lake are the right recipe for sweet-water fishing, and anglers from near and far crowd here for some prized fish. Here you can find the prized barramundi, black bream, mouth-almighty or the famous red-claw yabbies. Spread over more than 33 square kilometres, Tinaroo is also the theatre for a variety of water sports. Water skiing is hugely popular, although for safety reasons, it is held mainly in the far end of the lake, leaving the main sections for swimmers, sail and paddle boating, and others. Although windsurfing has waned a little during recent years, the fluctuating winds reflecting off the mountains, and the huge placid expanse of the lake, make it ideal for such pursuits. The Tinaroo Boat Club holds weekly races. Canoes can be rented from the Lake Tinaroo caravan park for those who want to give it a try. The Danbulla Forest Drive is one celebrated and intensely enjoyable 27km road circling Tinaroo. You come across many campsites during your drive. If you want, you can cover parts of the Drive by hiking. Of course, bushwalking, hiking, swimming and other activities are freely available to enthusiasts. If all the activities make you hungry, you need not worry. There are many eateries and restaurants nearby where you can partake of fresh snacks and wine, much of which is made from the plentiful local produce. Disclaimer We take no responsibility for inaccuracy or omissions in the information provided, which is not intended as specific advice. Before relying on the material, you should obtain appropriate professional advice relevant to your individual circumstances to evaluate accuracy, currency, completeness and relevance of the information to your specific needs. Produced by the team at travelAU.com.au - a group of travel and technology industry professionals promoting unique Australian tourism and travel products produced this article on behalf of reefpalms.com.au

Adventure Travel Tours: A Day on the Trail

An adventure travel vacation is a great way to explore your world. Join a group of fun people who share your interests as we go on a day hike in the Alps. Enjoy a little taste of Switzerland. Up, Up, and Away After consuming a hearty breakfast, we depart for the trailhead. It s close to our conveniently located inn, so we take a leisurely stroll - greeting friendly locals and shopkeepers along the way. We board a bright red cable car that whisks us soaring above the valley to a far away peak. One of your companions excitedly nudges you, Look, marmots! . We gaze at a trio of cuddly creatures staring back at us from the rockface - so close we feel we could reach out and touch them. We disembark at a solid rock and timber mountain station - now peaceful, this station hosts a clattering mass of skiers during the winter season. Clean Mountain Air and Emerald Lakes Breathing in the fresh mountain air, we set out on our trail. Carpets of wildflowers surround us. Gentle cows graze the alpine grasses - serenading us with a cheerful tinkle of bells. Hiking here is so refreshing. A meandering path leads us through hillocks of glacial moraine, now cloaked in a splendid green, to the edge of a startlingly beautiful emerald lake. The nearby mountains reflect on its surface. We make a brief stop to admire this natural jewel. Some of our group rambles around the tiny lake - others lay back and enjoy the serenity. Hiking Amongst Towering Peaks Our trail continues along a high mountain valley bordered by towering snow-capped peaks. Beautiful Alpenroses form a lovely rolling heath. We tramp across a small snowfield - its coolness underfoot contrasts with the glorious warmth of the alpine sun. We spy a cairn ahead with the familiar red-and-white trail marking painted on one of its rocks. Rounding a corner we spot our lunchtime destination in the distance - a solid Berghaus growing out of the surrounding rocks. Lunching on the Sonnenterrasse As we settle ourselves on a rustic, sun-drenched Sonnenterrasse, a tantalizing smell of frying onions and sausages greets us. Lunch is hearty mountain fare - plates heaped with Rosti mit Spiegeleier und Speck (a wonderfully golden, crispy fried potato pancake with egg and bacon) - served by a flaxen-haired girl in a traditional, powdery-blue farmer s smock. We wash down our delicious lunch with bottles of local beer and gaze out across a massive glacier winding its way down between two peaks and glistening in the sunlight. Stunning Views Well sated, we regain our trail and soon find ourselves breaking out onto a sloping hillside - affording us stunning views of the valley far below. We see a tiny hamlet across the valley, its sun-burned houses and barns surround a central church spire. A massive mountain rears up behind this peaceful scene. Slowly dropping down a gentle path, we enter a straggle of dwarf pine. We re greeted by a pungent fragrance that reminds us of the cleanliness of this wonderful habitat. The afternoon sun is gaining strength and it s a perfect time for us to enter the cool loaminess of the lower forest. We follow the edge of a cascading glacier-fed creek - its frostiness refreshes the air around us. Warm Sun and the Smell of Hay We clatter across an ancient wooden bridge - its surface well worn by generations of cows being driven to Alpine meadows. In the lower pastures, local farmers are harvesting the hay with large wooden rakes. A comforting, sun-rich smell of dried grasses greets us. Off to the Konditorei The relaxing smell of hay and the warmth of the sun has put us into a peaceful, lazy mood. We beeline to the nearest Konditorei to debate our biggest decision of the day - is it to be the daintily glazed apricot torte, the decadent chocolate mousse with lashings of whipped cream, or the traditional (and oh so tasty) Engadiner Nusstorte. We relax in a cozy nook and relieve today s experiences. Relaxing Back at the Inn We amble back to our welcoming inn - a great time for relaxed exploration of the local shops. Back at the inn, some members catch up on reading in the inn s glorious wood-paneled library - others send postcards or nap in the warm afternoon sun. Later, we ll watch as the sun paints the mountains with golden color. An adventure travel vacation in Switzerland is a fantastic experience. Tomorrow, we set off on another lovely adventure. Kevin loves exploring the wild areas of our wonderful world. Join him for more adventure at adventuretravelvacation.blogspot.com .

Spain Beaches: Sun - Fun

With more than 5,000 miles of coastline, Spain is home to an array of breathtaking beaches that attracts visitors from all over the world. Just looking at photographs of Spain beaches is enough to make one long for a spot on the hot sands, basking in the rejuvenating sun. When it comes to planning a trip to Spain in order to take advantage of the sun, surf, and turf - there are plenty of selections to consider. As you scan the possibilities of a trip dotted with brilliant blues and greens, there are many beaches in Spain that demand your full attention. For example, La Concha is considered one of the best beaches in all of Europe. This particular beach is positioned in the northeast corner of the country, providing easy access to France and other alluring attractions. When visiting Andalusia, you will find one of the best Spain beaches that accommodate a variety of traveler interests, including the tourist with windsurfing on their mind to the family fascinated with the prospect of a whale-watching excursion. Young couples gather on the beach to seek out the perfect tan by day and entertaining nightlife when the sun sets. It is here that you will come across Nerja Beach, situated on Costa del Sol, which is filled with nice-looking homes to admire and intriguing beach scenery to take in. Costa Brava offers Gandia, where the vicinity opens up to an array of small towns that showcase alluring beach selections. This is also a popular place to plan a vacation, as well as mingle with the locals, who usually choose this beach as a residential getaway. When visiting Playa de Las Catedrales in Galicia, tourists often bring along their camera to capture the surrounding sights of interesting rock formations and pleasant views of the sea. Playa de Las Catedrales is considered the best beach in the Galicia area. The islands of Spain also present a satisfying spread of beaches to explore. Situated between Spain and North Africa, Palma de Mallorca offers many beaches, even if they tend to swell with crowds. Menorca presents a less crowded selection to consider. Ibiza is a popular beach locale known for its infamous parties in the summer, where tons of clubs and nightlife greets the masses. If you are looking for seclusion on beaches and bays accessible from Ibiza, Formentera is a nice place to start. Additional Spain beaches to consider planning a visit to includes the likes of Playa de Garcey in Fuerteventura (home of the American Star ocean liner shipwreck); Lanzarote (black sand lagoon); and Playa de las Americas (famous beach in Tenerife). To read more articles about Spain or to place your FREE ads in our classifieds and community pages Spain Free Ads .

How to See the Best of Alaska s Nature, Mountains and Glaciers Close to Anchorage

How to See the Best of Alaska s Nature, Mountains and Glaciers Close to Anchorage Looking for just one more adventure to round out your Alaska Vacation? Prince William Sound is a great addition to an Alaska vacation package that will likely be the highlight of your Alaska Vacation. Incredible marine life, stunning mountain vistas, glaciers and three port cities that offer an array of visitor services, make this an attractive add on. And the Alaska Marine Highway has new and improved ferry service to and from the port cities of Whittier, Cordova and Valdez so trip planning just became easier, faster and more affordable. Alaska is so large and so diverse that it is often difficult to see it all in one trip. But a trip through Prince William Sound, with a stop-over in each of the three communities will allow you to experience much of what makes Alaska special. And with the Alaska Marine Highway it s possible to make a loop so as not to repeat any part of your trip, always seeing something new and different. In less than an hour, you can drive south from Anchorage to the port of Whittier. Whittier, an eclectic relic of a WWII army base is the gateway city of western Prince William Sound. Numerous charter operators large and small and expedition companies leading trips into the Sound can be found in Whittier. Small shops line the harbor offering food and gifts for visitors. Alaska Marine Highway offers 30% off New High Speed Ferry There is also a terminal office for the state s Marine Highway system in Whittier. With its new high speed ferry, the M/V Chenega it is now possible to take a half day cruise across the Sound from Whittier to Cordova. This is called the Marine Highway because you can take your car (or your rental car) on board (highly recommended). And during the summer of 2006, the state is offering some great specials with 30% off all sailings to and from the port of Cordova. The Chenega is a brand new ship offering full amenities. Once on board you ll feel like you are on a luxury cruise ship with beautiful local art hanging on the walls and its tasteful nautical décor. The state ferry also has National Forest Interpreters on board to provide a wealth of information on the marine and terrestrial environments of Prince William Sound. Besides the fantastic scenery, you can often see humpback and killer or orca whales, sea lions, sea otters, seals and other marine mammals. Look for puffins, arctic terns and other marine birds as well. For ferry schedule, lodging nature and glacier observation options in the Prince Williams sound visit: alaskarafters.com . Alaska Adventure Travel Cordova is a jumping off point for some incredible adventure. You will definitely want to spend a couple of days here, before moving on to the next port city. A small fishing port Cordova is quaint, picturesque, and so Alaskan. There are National Forest Trails with giant rainforest trees, road accessible glaciers, sea otters and other marine life. It is a friendly town too. There are outfitters like the experts at Alaska River Expeditions offering everything from river rafting and sea kayaking to glacier trekking, ice climbing and mountain biking. Choices for lodging vary from a standard hotel or motel with ocean views, to those with great Alaskan appeal. An old cannery is the site for a new adventure lodge; there are nautical inns and wonderful BandB s. Although there are no 5 star luxury resorts, most lodging choices offer great hospitality and all amenities as well as charm not found in large hotels. There are also several great restaurants offering local cuisine including the famed Copper River Salmon, Mexican, Italian, and Chinese entrees. Cordova, Alaska - the Little Switzerland of Alaska From Cordova, you can board the Marine Highway once again for the Port of Valdez. This is the terminal city for the Alaska Pipeline. You can see tankers loading and view the pipeline. It has cruise ships that dock so there are several shops that cater to visitors. Valdez is often referred to as little Switzerland because of the tall mountains surrounding the city. You can complete your loop by driving north on the Richardson Highway. Waterfalls, glaciers and tall mountains surround you on your drive north through Thompson Pass. As you drive over the mountains to the other side, you will leave the coastal influence and enter another world. The evergreen forests give way to mixed deciduous forests with more birches and aspens, just two hours north of Valdez. The next bigger community north of Valdez is Glennallen. Here you will turn west onto the Glenn Highway. This winding highway takes you through the northern edge of the Chugach Mountains, eventually giving way to the farmland of the Mat-Su Valley. Picturesque farms dot the countryside before entering the more urban areas. Then its south onto the Parks Highway back to Anchorage, completing a great 3-7 day add-on loop for your Alaska vacation. Robin Irving is the co-owner of Alaska River Expeditions and specializes in Alaska Vacation, Lodging and Vacation Packages in Cordova Alaska. Tim Warren is the Author of Tourism Marketing Success and the Podcast, Travel Business Success. Tim specializes in helping travel resorts; tour operators and destinations worldwide increase arrivals and profits with Internet Tourism Marketing and Travel Business Strategies.

Celebrity Sunglasses - When You Absolutely Gotta Have What They Have

One surefire way of getting sunglasses instant notice would be to get Hollywood stars and celebrities to wear them. There s no denying that celebrity patronage would surely get sunglasses retailers cash registers ringing non-stop. In a culture where almost everyone wants to emulate famous celebrities, there is no mystery to this phenomenon. Let s take a look at some sunglass brands and models made popular by the familiar face wearing them. Designer label Police have a lot to be thankful for in soccer idol David Beckham, who was seen sporting them in several occasions. Though Angelina Jolie have been seen wearing different types of sunglasses in varied instances, she is more recognized in her aviator sunglasses. And when Britney Spears goes shopping, she always don a pair of oversized sunglasses, which although doesn t encourage any anonymity, do much to enhance her glamorous image. Socialites Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie also love oversized sunglasses, with the former having a hand in promoting white framed pairs, while the latter preferring the Wayfarer brand. And who could forget the movies that set off trends in sunglasses, particularly Top Gun and The Matrix trilogy? These films not just promoted the mere use of sunglasses, it made wearing them a personal fashion statement. For a typical individual, it would take a considerable amount of savings and earnings to purchase just a pair of designer celebrity sunglasses. However, those who are intent on looking just as chic and glamorous as their favorite celebrities need not wait a long time and spend large amount of money to achieve just that. There are large selections of replica celebrity sunglasses available on the internet that offer the same style, the same design minus the logo, yet at the much lower costs, without sacrificing on quality. And because these replica celebrity sunglasses are inspired by actual models made by well-known designers, you are assured that you won t go out of style in complimenting it with your outfit and the rest of your accessories. And most online retailers even offer replica celebrity sunglasses inspired by latest designs featured in the newest collections of high-end designers. Visit several websites offering replica celebrity sunglasses and feel like a million bucks without hurting your pockets.

What the Netherlands is Famous For

Tulips â€" this is one of the things that come into mind when we think about the Netherlands. From the end of March till the end of May the Keukenhof flower garden (located near the town of Lisse) gathers visitors for the most fantastic flower show in the world. Flower plantations stretch all over the coast. In spring the whole district is covered with a multicoloured carpet more than 17500 hectares big. Almost half of it is tulips. First tulip bulbs were brought here from Turkey and Central Asia. Netherlands, with its sandy coastal soil, proved to be ideal for tulip planting, and pretty soon these flowers got extremely popular â€" one bulb could cost as much as some mansion by the Amsterdam canal. Later the flower market fell into decay, but in the 18th century it was in bloom again. Nowadays the Netherlands is the world’s largest flower exporter. There are more than 7,5 billion tulip bulbs gathered in the country every year, and a great amount of them is sold abroad. The Netherlands is also renowned for its excellent cheese; it’s the largest cheese exporter in the world. The most famous cheese sorts are Edam and Gouda, both produced of cow s milk. One of the most famous local cheese markets is found in Alkmaar, opened every Friday morning from April till October. The market still follows the rules of 1672, and the trade is carried out according to the ancient traditions: first the customer chooses sort of the cheese he wants to buy and then the seller and the client clap each others hands (one after another) until they agree upon the price. After the bargaining is over, cheese is brought to the weighing house (Waag). Clogs. Initially clogs (wooden shoes) were traditional Dutch footwear worn by the common people. Only the richest citizens could afford more expensive and convenient shoes. Still, the Netherlands produce more than 3,7 million clogs a year. Citizens don’t wear them any more, but people working in the country sometimes do â€" they are warmer and drier than simple rubber boots. Former clogs were also a part of traditional clothes by which people could define where a person comes from. Most beautiful clogs are produced in Hindeloopen, Friesland. Windmills. During the Roman times the Dutch coast was covered with sand drifts and vast swamps. Long time has passed since this place was turned into the wonderful “water country”. For years and years people were struggling to drain the territory and much contribution was made by the windmills. Now many of them are found in Dutch villages and cities. Windmills were invented in the middle of the 16th century to help pump the water up to the higher level. This was a true break-though which helped manage with the disaster. From this point people could causeway the territory around the lake, pump water from it and start cultivating the soil. Sometimes the mills were built in a row, forming a staircase. The worse the situation with the territory was, the more windmills were built. Many of them were erected south-east of Rotterdam since the district, Albrandswaard, is edged with the Rhine inflows. When these measures were not enough, people started creating reservoirs. One of the most famous Dutch reservoirs is found in Kinderdike. The reservoir is really huge and surrounded with 19 windmills, which makes it a spectacular view. You can go to Rotterdam hotels reservation to book a room in Rotterdam hotel. nbportal.com - online hotel reservation.

Holidays in Fermanagh - 10 Great Walks

If you are thinking of coming to Fermanagh on holiday, the chances are you will be looking for some kind of outdoor activity. Why not pack your walking shoes and explore some of the 25 walks in this beautiful County. The walks take in some of the National Trust properties as well as the area known as the best view in Ireland. Here are a selection. CastleCoole Just outside the town of Enniskillen, this gentle walk takes in the National Trust estate of Castle Cool, home of the 6th Earl of Belmore and his family. The walk winds through the Beech walk and takes in stunning views of this Neo-classical Mansion. Just under 5 kilometers. Castle Archdale Leaving Enniskillen and taking the Kesh road, you wlll find the historic Castle Archdale. Both a forest walk with a marina on Lower Lough Erne, this location has the remains of a Castle dating back to the early 17th century. Castle Archdale was aslo an RAF station during the Second World War and was a base for flying boats. The walk travels through the forest and also along the edge of the lough. Just under 6 kilometers. Lough Navar, Magho Cliffs Around 20km outside Enniskillen going towards Belleck, you will find Lough Navar. Stunning views over the Lower Lough Erne at the summit, although this forest walk is not for the faint-hearted, the views are definitely worth the effort. Just over 4 kilometers. Conagher Forest Between Derrygonnelly and Garrison, this circular route takes you through open moorland and areas of wild heather. A walk through a nature reserve and interesting features because of the limestone rock. Guided walks are available and this walk requires good footwear. 4kilometers. Big Dog Forest A beautiful walk near Knockmore which shows the diversity of Fermanagh landscape and includes some old folklore. Covering moorland and mountain lakes, this walk is both charming and enjoyable. Big Dog along with Little Dog were reportedly dogs of Finn MacCool who were turned into stone by a local witch! Just over 4 kilometers. Ballintempo Forest Another circular walk which takes in waterfalls and an historic neolithic monument. Ballintempo lies to the east of Enniskillen towards Boho.Through conifer forest you will also pass many small lakes. Just over 12 kilometers. Belmore Forest In the midst of Fermanagh s cave country, you will pass a quarry where there is an impressive waterfall which has gouged out a pothole known locally as hole of the Doves . Just over 7 kilometers. Florence Court This walk takes in the grounds of the National Trust property Florence Court, former home of the Earl of Enniskillen and his family. This circular walk takes in some interesting terrain and views of Topped Mountain and the Clogher Valley. Just over 6 kilometers. Crom Estate A beautiful walk around the Crom Estate the grounds of which is the property of the National Trust. It is an important conservation site as well as giving the walker some valuable historical information about the estate and surrounding area. The walk includes woodland, wetland and lakeland as it borders Upper Lough Erne. Just under 5 kilometers. The Cuilcag Mountain Way An impressive and important walk through Cuilcagh Mountain Park, close to Marble Arch. The park was awarded Global Geopark status in 2004. A great deal of restoration of bog and peatland has been carried out and part of the walk will take you over a special floating road over the restored bogland. This walk, because of the length and terrain is recommended only for experienced walkers or at least walkers with good walking shoes and relatively good health. Just over 15 kilometers. In Ireland as a whole the best known walking trail and certainly the longest at 560 miles, is the Ulster Way. This famous circular path, now largely waymarked, runs all round Northern Ireland and has other trails coming in to join it, notably from Donegal and Cavan. Elaine is a business skills trainer as well as a professional coach. Both she and her husband Ken built a house in the beautiful countryside of Brookeborough , County Fermanagh. In 2007 they decided to offer Bed and Breakfast accommodation and are keen to welcome visitors from all over the world to Fermanagh. They would like to share with visitors the diversity of the lovely county as well as the broader beauty of Ireland. For more information have a look at aislinghousefermanagh.com

Goodbye Garden of Eden!

Our local rag reported on the Conservation International expedition to the Foja Mountains in New Guinea in December 2005. It was the fulfillment of a 30 year dream for Bruce Beehler, the co-leader of the team. He had wanted to go there since his graduate student days at Princeton University. As soon as the team got off the helicopter, they spotted a new bird species, the first in 60 years on New Guinea. They gave it no name in our newspaper so we may as well call it the Newest New Guinea Honeyeater or the Taylor Jonesâ€"the Hack Writerâ€"Honeyeater until they come up with some more appropriate name. Here are some excerpts from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honeyeater: “The honeyeaters are a large and diverse family of small to medium sized birds most common in Australia and New Guinea, but also found in New Zealand, the Pacific islands as far east as Hawaii, and the islands to the north and west of New Guinea known as Wallacia. Bali, on the other side of the Wallace Line, has a single species. “Honeyeaters and the closely related Australian chats make up the family Meliphagidae. In total there are 182 species in 42 genera, roughly half of them native to Australia, many of the remainder occupying New Guinea. Like their closest relatives, the Maluridae (Australian wrens), Pardalotidae (pardalotes and thornbills), and Petroicidae (Australian robins), they originated as part of the great corvid radiation in Australia-New Guinea (which were joined in a single landmass until quite recent geological times).” Beehler is an ornithologist so he knows this: Kingdom: Animalia; Phylum: Chordata; Class: Aves; Order: Passeriformes; Family: Meliphagidae. He has the following Genera to choose from or he can make up his own: Anthochaera, Acanthagenys, Plectorhyncha, Philemon, Xanthornyzma, Entomyzon, Manorina, Xanthotis, Meliphaga, Lichenostomus, Melithreptus, Notiomystis, Glycichaera, Lichmera, Trichodere, Grantiella, Phylidonyris, Ramsayornis, Conopophila, Acanthorhynchus, Certhionyx, Myzomela, Anthornis, Prosthemadera, Epthianura, Ashbyia. My computer spell checker asked if I would like to switch to the Spanish Dictionary right after I typed in Xanthotis. I said that I didn’t. I don’t know if these Genera are spelled correctly. Neither does my spell checker. Hell, let’s just call it the Foja Mountain Honeyearter. Beechler is a fine looking fellow. Read about him at nmnh.si.edu/vert/birds/bmb.html. He reminds me of the gentlemen that taught me about birds after he got home from New Guinia after WW II. That was Thayer D. “Turk” Evans the famous Utah bird artist. I have a couple of his prints above my desk, one of Mule Deer and the other of Snowy Owls. I have an original of a Peregrine Falcon still packed away in the garage. Turk told me about the Japanese, the jungle, and the birds of New Zealand and Australia. When I was a teenager my friend and I found the first “nesting” starling in Utah and Turk verified the find. We had seen a zillion of them on the Christmas Bird Count but not yet nesting. Of course they were nesting somewhere. You can’t have that many birds without something going on. A bad species was moving in to drive out the song birds that survived the English Sparrow infiltration. Well, I miss Turk so I’m glad to meet Bruce Beehler. My new friend Bruce wrote an article with A. Mack called Constraints to Characterizing Spatial Heterogeneity in a Lowland Forest Avifauna in New Guinea so he knows what he is talking about. (Don’t e-mail me asking me to explain this. It must be obvious. Well then, call Bruce. His number is on the site.) This article (the one you are reading) has a point as indicated by the title. Look at it this way: Nobody could get to the top of Mount Everest until Sir Edmund Hillary from New Zealand and his Serpa guide, Tenzing Norgay, did it in 1953. Now the slopes of Everest look like a Boy Scout jamboree, people climbing up Everest thinking it must be easy with all the new equipment and technology, some tumbling falling down to their death or nursing where there fingers and toes use to be. I wonder who picks up the candy bar wrappers. Incidently, I learned while attending the Yeti Confutation in Tibet that the Yeti have been driven out of Tibet by mountain climbers and they were heading for Foja Mountain as soon as they complete their extended-duration levitation and long-distance swimming lessons. You can read my report on the Confutation at ezinearticles.com/?UFO:-I-Chat-with-Big-Footandid=124808. Turk Evans took me to a Great Blue Heron rookery when I was a teenager. It was pretty well isolated from the populace. You had to enjoy tromping through swamps as we did. Still, we could see that people had been in the area and we were disturbing the parents of the half-grown chicks just by being near. I believe that if it were not for bird sanctuaries the bird populations would be reduced worse then they are. Where we once counted 139 bird species and thousands of individuals along the Jordan River in Salt Lake City, Utah, recent census have shown only a few species have survived. Developers could have easily preserved the habitat along the banks of the river. Maybe they would have if someone had told them they needed to do that. An old man that lived near my house told me before World War II that when he was a boy that the Jordan River was a beautiful stream full of trout and other wildlife. By the time I swam in the slime of the river it was a polluted death trap, unknowingly killing two of my friends while my grandfather played his accordion to a crowd that had gathered in Riverside Park. Still even a polluted river supports wildlife. Bruce Beehler said of the Foja Mountains, “It’s a spectacularly beautiful Garden of Eden.” I’m afraid that first the environmentalist will go into the Foja Mountains in large numbers, then the public, then the unwanted species. Soon we will have to say “Goodbye” to the Garden of Eden just like we had to say goodbye to a large number of bird species on Guam after the Brown Snakes moved in. Oh, they had fun playing with a Golden-mantled Tree Kangaroo. Well, yes. We wildlife loves are part of the problem. John T. Jones, Ph.D. (tjbooks@hotmail.com, a retired VP of RandD for Lenox China, is author of detective and western novels, nonfiction (business, scientific, engineering, humor), poetry, etc. Former editor of Ceramic Industry Magazine. He calls himself Taylor Jones, the hack writer. More info: tjbooks.com Business web site: dumbincome.com .

Angelina of Glastonbury: the Headman s Axe

Angelina of Glastonbury: the Headman s Axe II [A.D. 1215] [End Chapter] Mom said: “I don’t know what happened, but I do know he is done with drink.” And she added I remember, ‘there are worse things than killing men,’ and I asked: what? And mom said: “Being killed, or loving something fine, and doing nothing about it, yet knowing you could have.” Mom had looked at meâ€"in a way she never had beforeâ€"I didn’t know back then what it meant, now I do I supposeâ€"she looked to meâ€"to be at that given moment, likened to a symbol of the ancient and eternal snakeâ€"and I realized between those who can, should, do, for those who cannot, or will not, suffer otherwise, endlessly. Then we both seemed to be free; I didn’t understand but I knew by that look, someday I’d understand. In the boat I saw her glance at me with that inscrutable look, looking at me. I was young back then, strong, a hard body for a boy of my age, like my father. Richard, my brother was a ting more discernible, he didn’t lack courage, and he was just unsure of it he had any, or so that is how I perceived it. At that time, my mother had changed little, in a decade, still slender from what everyone in the town said of her. The soldier who was killed, he had an implacable pointed head, with savagely chopped hair, and crazed eyes; he did know what happened, he just died. I know my mother is not safe when in that day-dreaming mode of hers, so history has told me so. She was like a loaded cross-bow, with a hair-trigger. She told me: “He was a drunkard, and it was too late for him to stop what he had set his mind to do; a drunkard reaches a point where it is too late for him to stop, he may believe he will, but experience has taught me he will not (they both had reached this stage and conclusion), and that is what I figured trigger me, and I did what you said I’d had done.” Advance: it was a time before Beowulf was written but after Sherborn Abbey in Dorset Roman book of Catholic prayer was written. With a green and black waxed seal attached to a vellum strip at the bottom a charter was written (A.D. 1215)â€"King John enthroned now holding his scepter. It was written this year of 1215 with gall-based ink. It was called the Magna Charta, perhaps the first of its kind, a ‘Charter of Liberties,’ many copies were made, and one sent to Glastonbury, badly damaged by fire, yet it was displayed in the village nonetheless, to the populace; amongst them, Angelina and her husband, known a decade before as the Green Knight. The eloquence of those historic sentences, the nobility and idealism, they expressed warmed the hearts of Glastonbury, especially Angelina’s, saying: “No free man shall be taken or imprisoned or deprived or outlawed or exiled or in any way ruined…” Need I say moreâ€" it was revered as the founding stone of modern freedom, and in time the world over would recognize this; and to Angelina now with two sons and two daughters, regarded this as a romantic and formative piece of British legislation. This was also the time when the Crusades were a part of the fabric of the day, and much talk of it in the village of Glastonbury; for that matter, all of Europe. It was a time when Jerusalem had been conquered by the Muslim leader, Saladinâ€"in fact, it was a bloody struggle, for all three faiths, that looked upon Jerusalem as sacred ground. It was the time period St. Francis of Assisi formed an order of monks; when Pope Innocent III, was in Rome, an ablest pope indeed. And let it not be said too loud, King John of England and Pope Innocent quarreled like two attacking Grendel’s. If we were to go beyond Europe at this particular time in history we’d see Genghis Khan capture Peking, and break through the Great Wall of China, and conquer with his Mongols all in sight, much like the Vikings of their era. And although Angelina was a good mother and wife, she kept abreast of current events, as they drifted into Glastonbury, as well she could. For the most part, her little township was quiet, and their little business, sedate. â€"But these were trying times for King John, to say the least; and it would only get worse. He would die a year later, in A.D. 1216, after the loss of the French dominions, along with his disputes with Rome, his over taxation of the nobility, which would prove to have a hand in the civil warâ€"I reiterate: ending up in John’s death. To be frank, Angelina, liked King Richard I, more than John, who had been captured during the Crusading; even thought England scarcely saw him for ten-years, the extent of his reign of England; she saw him likened to King Arthur, of times past. Chapter One The Baron’s of war (A.D. 1215, John meets in Runnymede, agrees to the declarations set down in the Magna Carta) In the heart of Glastonbury, Summerset England, if one is to look up, from the village, almost at any point they will see the Great Tor, it is a manmade mound, and on its summit is an abbey (now only a tower remains, burnt down years ago). It was this year King John came looking for soldiers to recruit to fight his war with the Baron’s of England, who had gotten support form France, in particular, Prince Louis (who would on one year’s time capture the Tower of London; A.D. 1216; but of course I am jumping ahead of our story, for we are still in 1215). This year for Angelina would be a most trying year, actually it will consume eighteen-months, and the rest of this story must be extracted from her diary. (Diary of Angelina) “King John came with many soldiers into Glastonbury today. He knew of my husband’s reputation, of his fighting in the Crusades, everyone knew of course, and he asked my husband, personally asked him: too kindly join his army against the rich-barons of England, who were trying to dethrone him. Evidently, he did not wish to go according to the Magna Carta, the very one he signed. He even quoted the man he so hated, the Pope, who had decreed John did not, or was not bound by this decree, and now it is of course history. Thus, John took my husbandâ€"as if he was a criminalâ€"and tied him to a rope, held by one of the soldiers on horseback. “He tried to explain to the King, I was with child, and he’d join his army right after the child was born, but would not be of much use, being gone, and thinking about his wife and child. The king took this as an insult, and there was no more to say. He begged the king to let him stay; I had never seen my husband in such a distraught form. “It was a sad day indeed, for I knew they’d take him to London, perhaps the Tower, and torture him. But let me tell you what I did, and perhaps it was stupid, I ran to my husband, told him I’d find him, wherever he was, and the soldier kicked me, kicked me right in my belly, I had tears, I tried not to cry, to show them, but I couldn’t, my belly hurt so much, I was on the ground holding my belly, I think it was…how sad a knight can do such a thing, King John’s knights are like him; and my grandfather used to say: ‘…give a dog a new name and you don’t need to hang him.’ I wish King Richard was here, he had the name before John took the good name after his death. Now he thinks he is untouchable. “As I laid there in the dirt by our little shop, I watched the king dragging my husband out of the city as he grabbed several potential young men to become soldiers in his army (the civil war was started and Angelina knew this was a small part of it, but resistance breeds resistance, and her mind shifted back to King Arthur, her hero of heroes, and King Richard the Lion Heart: and what laid dormant in her heart was awakened: a little lion with big teeth.)” Chapter Two Tower of London It was a shame for Angelina’s husband, he being a knight, being dragged out of Glastonbury like a thief, a dishonor indeed. For in many cases knights were appointed as sheriffs and representatives of the people in shires in parliament. Angelina had felt helpless, and now she had lost her child a most horrid time for her, as she puts it in her diary: “It has been three months now, since I lost my child; and my husband is someplace in the Tower of London, so I’ve been told by Prince Louis, who has sent word to me on this matter. “I know now the Tames runs along side of the Tower, I’ve never been in London so it’s all new for me, but this map is a good one, the Prince sent me, although over a hundred years old, but he has modified it to how it looked fifteen-years ago, I doubt thinks have changed that much in those years. “There seems to be a number of towers on this map: let me describe it: an odd looking square bigger at one corner than the other, and there I see the River, it goes by the Bell Tower, and inside this odd square is the Outer word, and to the back of the main tower is the Inner word, and there are three towers, one called the wardrobe tower; inside this odd square is the main area they call the Tower of London, and it has three towers to it also, a torture chamber. I have to make it to the Bell Tower: I think. And there is gateway also. Map reading is not my specialty, so I hope I do not get this wrong, but I must now develop a plan.” Chapter Three The Tower, Wolf and Axe “I must get my husband out of the tower before he is tortured to death. I’m sure King John will not live though another year of his madness, to rule England like a tyrant, like a slave camp, but that helps me little, should I wait for his death, it will not come soon enough to save my husband. I have gone over the map a hundred times now.” She went down the Thames River, it was dark, and it was the beginning of wither; the air was chilled, a wind almost freezing, you could see your breath. She could see the Tower now: her wolf by her side in the boat, her two sons, Phillip, the elder, and Richard, the younger (eleven and twelve). She had her plan, her gold and silver to bribe, and hoping it would be enough to get through the gateway, and escorted to the Bell Tower: she had sold everything she could, business, house, everything: and had fourteen gold pieces, and several silver coins: she was penniless, if this didn’t work, then it was certain death. They had docked the boat, walked up to the gateway entrance: (Diary) “With my gold in hand I bribed the first two guard’s to let me in and try to talk with the authorities to see my husband, if only for a minute. And they saw no harm in it, and figured I’d get turned back before I got to the Bell Tower anyway, so they had nothing to lose. Phillip was with me, and my wolf (she had the old wolf for fifteen years now, it was one she had purchased and, well one today it came back to here after it had run off someplace; most of the wolfs teeth were missing but he had a mean growl, was faithful, and still had several teeth in place, if need for whatever teeth are used for), was already by the Bell Tower waiting, and Richard was in the boat, guarding it. “Thus, I had everything in place, but I knew something would go wrong, doesn’t it always, and if so, I would have to resort to another plan, but to be honest, I had no other one. But my son tells me I created one quickly. Anyhow, we walked slowly down the Great Hall, quietly pat the Royal Residence, up high to the Gallery level. I think they were running me around in circles, because the Bell Tower was outside on the other end of the Inner Ward. I was paying every guard a piece of gold, everyone wanted to be bribed. Then one guard pointed to the Bell Tower, saying: ‘…that is the Bell Tower, that your husband is in, save, if he is still alive, he was tortured pretty bad.’ “I had given him my last silver coin and now I was standing below the Bell Tower steps, and huge fat old guard came down, the old man knew what I wanted, but I had no coins left, and I told him so. He was half drunk, slobbering allover the young guard next to me, and my son, and myself. “I was hoping the young guard, who was kind enough to stop the charade back inside the main tower, would convince his comrade I had paid dearly to get to these steps, but he was silent. “I could see the door, it was slightly opened, this man must have been kicking my husband, and his footwear was bloody. ‘How much silver do you have left,’ he asked me, bluntly, this old solider who could hardly stand, his liquor had gotten the best of him. ‘I have none left,’ I told him, none whatsoever. And he didn’t like that one bit. “Then with the force of a bear, I felt like a twig in his grip, he pulled me over to him, thrust his hand down my to my breast and had his pleasure with me for that moment. I was taken by surprise, and when he pulled out his hand….” [Phillip] That is all my mother can remember, so I will have to fill in the spaces. When he pulled his hand out, of the upper part of my mothers robe, she was froze, I had noticedâ€"perhaps with terror, or perhaps with anger, I don’t know. When we had passed the torture room at the main tower, I remember my mother picking up something, an axe, I didn’t see much, and I was horrified to see the man on the rack being stretched out of his joints. But the Headsman’s block axe was there when I first seen it, and I noticed my mother touching it, and when I looked aback to see how sharp it was, it was gone. Again I must say, that guy on the rack, whose limbs were being pulled to god-knows were, blocked all other things out of my mind, but here is what followed, what I remember: When the huge and heavy soldier pulled his hand out of my mothers robe, out came the axe, she had hidden it under her cloths, thus his hand dropped like a mug of ale on the floor; then off came his head, his eyes still in shock looking at his hand, now his head was at collapsing body, and next looking into a cavity called a neck, he even blinked his eyes, couldn’t believe he was headless. Funny, how long you can live neck-less. The young soldier was in shock, he was frozen to where he stood, stone-still like the Pillars of Hercules. I suppose, now that I look back, it was most appropriate for this to take place, especially in the tower area, for is it not the place of executions. Mom simply took the plan B, into action, the plan she didn’t have until the guards tried to scare her by bringing her around in circles, and by the torture room. Aye, yes, the young soldier was still in shock, piss running down his leg onto the floor. Chapter Four Escape All my mother had on was a robe, and there was reason for this: coiled around her was a rope, where she had tucked in that headsman’s axe, and so carefully and swiftly, pulled it out to save the day. She had brought a tunic and left it in the boat, I wasn’t sure why, she never said, but now I knew. We were in the Bell Tower, father was on the floor, weak, and beaten pretty bad, but once he saw mother, he got up, then said, “Angelina! Angelina! …is it really you.” And they kissed. With no adue (or time to waste), she undressed, and unwound the rope around her body, and tied it to a bare in the window: the bars were separated wide enough that we did not have to dig out, thank goodness. As we climbed down the rope, mom’s wolf was faithfully waiting, but we also saw that young guard now running around, out the gateway to us, he had gotten his composure back. When he had caught up to us, but twenty feet in front of mom, the old wolf, with half its teeth gone, jumped like a hawk onto that soldier, and mauled his face up bad, a tooth imprint here and there: he will never again I fear, find favor with young maidens. Next we had all run to the boat, and Richard quickly pushed us all out into the river. More guards were now running out of the gate entrance, and mom’s wolf jumped into the boat as we were now clear of the bank. [Diary Entry: Phillip] King John is dead, and my the has returned to Glastonbury, after hiding in the Abbey on the Tor. Mom stopped writing in the Diary on this matter, so I took it upon myself to fill in the spaces of time. King Henry III came into power, which was in October of 1216. He would out live my father and die in 1272, which was two years ago. Now I am old, and Edward I, will out live me. But who cares, let him be a crowned crusader, like my Great Grandfather. Mom would have lived him though, he’s kind of a warrior, like dad was, and Arthur, and King Richard. The wolf died in 1217, she had her adventures with mom I suppose. That’s all I got to say. The End Note: Dedicated to Benjamin Szumskyj; written 1/15/06, at the BN-café, Roseville, Minnesota See Dennis web site: dennissiluk.tripod.com See Dennis books at alldirect.com or booksprice.com

Fantasy Uniforms - Make a Sexy Career Change!

Nurse lingerie is the most popular of all fantasy lingerie. Nurse uniforms say I m naughty but nice and here to cater to your needs! A nurse costume is a super-sexy version of the classic nurse s uniform. The tops are low-cut and the skirts are short and snug. You can buy a nurse costume that s either a mini-dress or a two-piece with a separate top and skirt. For private, special occasions, select a bra and panty set. Lots of nurse lingerie is satin, but vinyl and leather are also becoming popular choices. The best nurse lingerie pays attention to details. No nurse costume is complete without a stethoscope. You ll hear your special someone s heart beat racing! There s no need to rush out to the local medical supply store. Almost all nurse costumes include a stethoscope. Some even include an over-sized needle. Perhaps for a shot of love? You ll also want that famous little nurse s cap. With nurse uniforms, white is the classic color that comes to mind. But you can break with tradition and wear a red, black, or pink nurse costume. In fact, some nurse costumes even come in the unmistakable scrub green color. Don t worry, though. No loose-fitting cotton tops and pants here. Only leather mini-skirts and tight button-up tops. If you select a nurse costume that s sexy but more PG-13 rated, you can even wear it to a Halloween party. A lot of women enjoy showing off their fabulous figure in a costume that s provocative, but still appropriate for most costume parties. Another of the most popular fantasy costumes is the french maid. French maids wear lots of ruffles. Wear a ruffled white petticoat underneath for a look that s extra flirty. You can even buy little white ruffled panties to wear underneath! A little bit of modesty can be very tantalizing. And a white apron is another must-have. Of course, a feather duster is an absolute essential. Most french maid costumes come readily equipped with one. A little cap is another nice touch. To top it off, how about trying your hand at a French accent? Oui and monsieur are all you need to know! Since your french maid costume is black and white, white thigh-highs and black patent leather heels are a fabulous footwear choice. Depending on how daring you want to go, you can buy a one-piece, two-piece, or bra and panty set. French maid costumes come in many styles. You can pick the one you like best: cap sleeves, lace-up corsets, spaghetti straps, or off-the-shoulder. Fantasy uniforms are just that: occupation-related uniforms that bring fantasies to life. With fantasy uniforms, Halloween can be a year-round event. No spooky ghosts and witches, only flirtatious french maids and nicely naughty nurses for these costumes! A bit of role-playing can be quite fun. Ask your special someone what his favorite fantasy uniform is. Fantasy lingerie is a wide departure from your typical teddies and nighties. Why not mix it up - buy both a french maid and a nurse costume? Different occasions call for different occupations, after all. Adrian Jones has been involved in the erotic lingerie uk market for many years. This article outlines the benefits of women wearing fantasy lingerie as if that needed much explaining! Please include this credit if you use this article.

You Don t Have To Spend A Fortune To Go To Disney

You Don t Have To Spend A Fortune To Go To Disney Going to Disney World is the dream of millions of people. I remember the first time that I went to Disney, I wasn t little. I was actually seventeen years old and it was a dream come true. At the time I was living in New York and my family was not very familiar with Florida. Going to Disney was pretty much out of the picture for us. We didn t have the income to spend a fortune at Disney, we thought. One of my close friends decided to move to Florida and began to work in Disney. As an employee he received a certain amount of tickets that he was able to give away and he gave it to my family. That was the first time that I went to Disney. A year later my family and I moved to Florida. I have been living in Florida for the last six years and one thing that I have learned is that you don t have to spend so much money to go to Disney. I have family that come to Florida every year and they stay at a timeshare resort near Disney every year. Maintenance fees alone for the resorts range from $200 and up. Many others spend over $200 per day to stay on Disney resorts. Disney has deluxe resorts going for $2,700 for six days and 7 nights. That is $215 per day. That s not counting the plane tickets, food, gifts, and Disney tickets for the whole family. No wonder I thought it was impossible to go to Disney. There are millions of people that think that you have to spend this kind of money to stay at resorts near Disney. If you have income to spare, it s okay, but for those who don t have so much income spending this kind of money will have them waiting ten more years to go on another vacation. I am currently focusing on helping people stay near Disney resorts that go for as low $37 per day. These are not Disney resorts but they are just as near to Disney as their own resorts and many of them are 5 star resorts. Purchasing a timeshare, staying at Disney resorts, staying at a motel, and staying at a hotel is not the most economic way to stay near Disney. Timeshares have yearly fees, maintenance fees, and exchange fees that you have to pay every year. Disney resort prices are out of control. The most economic way to stay at resorts near Disney is by joining a private travel membership that has resorts priced at wholesale prices. This particular membership requires customers to pay a one time fee of $2,995 that is good for the rest of their life. Members never have to pay maintenance fees, yearly fees, or exchange fees. This membership not only has resorts near Disney, they have resorts worldwide. Unlike a timeshare you can travel the whole world and never pay more than $100 a day to stay at 4 and 5 star resorts. There is a special section in the membership that has all resorts priced at 37 dollars a day. The last time that I logged into the membership there were about 5 of these resorts within a few miles near Disney. These packages are for 8 days and 7 nights. That is $298 for the whole week. That s a pretty good way to save a couple thousand dollars on your Disney vacations. Members receive three guest passes per year that they can give to friends and family and even get deals for cruises starting at $190. If you want to go to Disney every year or take a vacation to different locations world wide every year, this is a great option. Sure, you would have to pay a one time fee of $2,995 but the membership is good for the rest of your life. Some Disney resorts will charge you over $2,000 for a few days in their resorts every year. Another thing to keep in mind is that Florida is famous for being a tourist state. You can buy Disney gifts every where. It doesn t have to be in Disney. This alone can save you a couple of hundred dollars. If you have never gone to Disney and you think that you have to spend a fortune, cheer up, it s not that bad if you do your research and use some of the options that I mentioned. Benjamin Scott helps people find wholesale resorts near Disney by offering access to a private travel membership. For more information on this membership visit his blog at: resortsmaniac.com