10
Holiday at Aldgate
Published by admin, under Anything sporty. No Comments.
Morven and I recently stayed a night at Aldgate Creek Cottage. We were recommended it by a friend, and would like to recommend it to our friends! It’s only a few minutes up the freeway, right in the heart of Aldgate. The creek is literally only metres away from the cottage, surrounded by a beautiful lush garden - and apparently we went at the worst time of year to see the garden!
We enjoyed sitting on the upper balcony sampling some tasty cheeses that Morven had selected and sipping Piper-Heidsieck, overlooking the lush garden.
We then cranked up the methylated spirits fireplace, and watched a ridiculous movie called Blackball. After the movie, we went for dinner at the Mercure Grosvenor at Mt Lofty so that Morven could scope the place out for some wedding that she’s planning. We had a quick meal and went back to the cottage to crank up the awesome fireplace. I ate the majority of the truffles that Morven made (she’s going through a truffle making phase - and I’m trying to encourage her with this inspiration she has for as long as possible).
Everything about the cottage is so cute, it is really new and stylish with very well thought out highlights such as an old ladder that holds the kitchen utensils over the kitchen sink which is mounted in wood.
The next day we went for a hike on the Eastern side of Mt Lofty, down party of the Heysen trail that I’ve never been on before and always wondered where it went. It took us to the Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens, and we walked around the Gardens and back up to the summit. The walk was less than 7km but very steep, so we were both a little tired by the end. What a great way to spend a couple days of leave.
The rest of my leave has been spent mountain biking, finding two pairs of jeans that both look good, fit, AND feel comfortable enough to wear without creating a hernia, AND only cost $99… for both! (This is extremely cheap considering I was nearly convinced to buy one pair of Hugo Boss jeans that cost $229 (it is rare for me to find jeans that fit well). Also have visited a financial planner for the first time (I’ll try almost anything at least once), and been catching up on a bit of blogging, making pesto for Morven only to remember that she was going out for dinner (which I should have remembered about since I was invited as well, but couldn’t go because I wasn’t keen on the vegetarian options offered) and coating truffles in chocolate for Morven.
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Shortly after the founding of the nation was held in the city, it was named the capital between 1790 and 1800, before he moved to his current Washington DC Philly is now a major metropolis, home to around 6.2 million people from almost all nationalities.
07
Utilizing A Safe Travel Guide For Your Travel Benefit
Published by admin, under General Advice. No Comments.
Unfamiliar locations, when we are on vacation for instance, seem to be the most likely times when things will start to go wrong. The trouble is when this happens it leaves you with bad memories of what should have been a happy vacation. Or worse still, a situation that sees you locking yourself in your hotel room, afraid to go out, or even spending time at the local Police station. Common sense is still the single most important tool for traveling safely when you’re in a foreign land, meeting new people, walking down strange roads, eating and drinking new things.
No matter what the situation is, trust what your instincts tell you as they are very rarely wrong. It is a common mistake for many travelers to carry all of their valuables with them in the belief they are safer, this could not be further from the truth. Expensive and necessary items like identification tickets for example should be left at the hotel in their safe or the room safe if you have one; it is much easier to recover your vacation if you only lose a few important belongings instead of all of them.
A handy tip is to place a small amount of money in a number of locations like bags or pockets then if you happen to lose a bag, visa card or money, you will still have something there to keep you going until it can be resolved.
A follow on to this tip is to carry two separate credit cards instead of two from a joint account as this adds an extra security measure should one be stolen; this travel safely tip means this way you are not without a credit card. Some of the easiest possessions to steal are bags and cameras owing to the way people carry them without even recognizing that they are an easy target for thieves; ensure the straps are over the head and across the chest if you want to hold on to them.
Always avoid letting something hang from your shoulder next to the road as it is easy to grab something from the back of a motorbike as it passes you. Everyone has heard the stories of different confidence tricks that have happened to vacationers because they are relaxed and let their guard down but the truth is these people do this sort of thing for a living.
It is often our arrogance that lets us become victims of theft and other deceptions because we do not believe that anyone will pull the wool over our eyes but this is how the criminals earn their living. If you carry a bag of any kind, buy yourself a small padlock or combination lock as the few dollars you spend will be well worth it as it will deter the majority of sneak thieves. To prevent you losing your keys, trying using a small D-Shackle, like they use in rock climbing and while it doesn’t lock it acts as a deterrent for unwanted hands getting into your bag.
Most guys (and some girls) will place their wallets in the back pocket of their jeans or shorts making them an easy target for pick pockets; so change your habit and place wallets in the front pockets or perhaps buy a bum bag or money belt. Many of the problems outlined above happen only when people let their guard down; traveling safely does not mean you have to be paranoid, just prepared and use common sense and you will have an enjoyable vacation.
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06
Labor Day weekend camping trip
Published by admin, under Bicycling. No Comments.
Sarah and I tried an experiment this weekend. We did a camping trip, with a twist. I rode to the campsite, and she met me there with the car. And the next day we went further, me on my bicycle and her driving. It was almost like a supported tour.
We had mixed results. I didn’t plan well enough, and we both had poor to nonexistent cell phone reception, so we had a little trouble connecting in Brownstown, IN. Also, what I intended to be a way for me to get some riding in while allowing us to spend a lot of time together became a little more complicated and bike-centric than I intended. Sarah was very patient and we had a great time together, but in the end it felt a little selfish. If we do something like this again, I’ll need to plan things out a lot better. It was also really hot, which effectively meant that by the time we got anywhere, it was too hot to want to do very much.
I plan to write about this trip in three parts:
- Riding from Bloomington to Brownstown and Jackson-Washington State Forest
- Hiking at Jackson-Washington State Forest
- Riding from Jackson-Washington State Forest to Clark State Forest and Henryville
05
French Cycling Holidays
Published by admin, under Cycling Holidays. No Comments.
For the cyclist, France has everything - spectacular scenery, long smooth roads and breathtaking climbs. The French people have embraced cycling for generations and consider the Tour de France one of the most important sports events of the year. So your desire to cycle the country will be understood and welcomed.
French Cycling Holidays have been the cream of the crop for many years now. Created by an avid Scottish cyclist, they offer a mix of successful holiday cycling experiences, suitable to different levels of fitness.
The easiest routes ride through the Loire Valley or Bordeaux. If you’re comfortable riding 250 km a week or so, you may prefer the Dordogne, Provence, Burgundy or Languedoc tours. Hard core cyclists with years of experience in their legs can take on the Classic Cols Tour or Etappé. The climbs are challenging, even for seasoned veterans, but they’re not races. And you always have the minibus for back-up if you need it.
Since most rides finish early enough to give you a leisurely afternoon, soaking up the French ambience, FCT provides guides for additional routes, if you want to add a few more kilometres.
The tourist aspects of the tours are every bit as appealing as the rides themselves. In the Dordogne Tour, for example, you’ll visit the Cromagnon caves of Lascaux, with some of the finest examples of pre-historic art. Because England and France fought over the beautiful Périgord region during the hundred years war, you’ll cycling through charming bastides (fortified villages) and Medieval stone churches as you go.
The landscape is rich with rivers, cliffs, hills and endless fields of sunflowers or tobacco. You’ll get to sample the sumptuous cuisine of the region, famous for its duck and goose dishes, including fois gras, as well as its truffles and its cheeses, not to mention its own Bergerac, Pecharmont and Cahors wines.
Weekly tours run from May through September and cost an average of 945 GBP (1650 USD). Airport transfers, hotels and breakfast are included. On all but the advanced tours, a lightweight alloy framed Trek hybrid touring bike with 24 indexed gears is provided and equipped with a lock, pump and toolkit. Guides are always present to fix punctures and minor mechanical problems. And a bus carries the luggage and any stragglers from one location to the next.
It’s not unusual for these tours to sell-out, so if you’re ready, book it now. For the Etappé, you may even need to book a year ahead.
03
Why You Need The Services Of A Tour Operator On Your Next Tour To China
Published by admin, under Startups. No Comments.
Why You Need The Services Of A Tour Operator On Your Next Tour To China
By Lola Adewoyin
If you have garnered courage to go to China, then I d say Bravo! For a country like China, you need to go there to see it to experience it, live it and finally love it. People come and go to China returning back with good and bad stories, but you can make your own story a positive one as long as you engage in the services of a trustworthy tour operator in China to guide you through your stay.
Many tour operators in China offer packaged tours as well as customized tours to suit the traveling pleasure of their customers. A packaged tour is usually a list of tours to see based on a theme it may be a cultural theme, or sports and adventure theme or even tours to highlight major tourist spots in 2 or more cities.
A very popular package tour which many travelers like to enjoy is the Beijing-Xian-Shanghai tour. This package tour covers a variety of themes and showcases the historical city of Beijing, the cultural city of Xian and lastly, the fast paced commercial city of Shanghai.
A packaged tour which has a cultural theme is the Yunnan tour package or Tibet tour package. This tour allows you to see the real China and spend some peaceful time with the local minorities. If you happen to choose the Tibet tour, then expect to have a sacred time in many of the Buddhist temples in Tibet as well as doing some local shopping in small Tibet cities like Lhassa and Barkhor.
For Adventure tours, you can get to visit cities like Guilin and Yangshuo. These areas are known for their karsts landscapes and hills which many climbers and hikers love. Climbing the Mount Huangshan, one of the sacred mountains in China is also an adventure tour which many tourists love to enjoy.
Do not forget the river cruises. China boasts of many rivers with wonderful sceneries. The Yangtze River Cruise is a popular river cruise tour. This cruise extends across many regions of China allowing you to appreciate nature at its best.
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Another popular river cruise is the Li River cruise. This river passes through 5 different regions showcasing the wonderful landscape of Guilin and Yangshuo.
With all these interesting places to see and the enthusiasm to visit China, you would need the services of a local tour operator in order to enjoy your trip. They would arrange everything for you from the local guides to the hotels to a selection of places you wish to visit. Some people prefer customized tour packages, there by creating their own tours, while some people prefer group tours whichever suits you, make sure you let the tour operating company assist you in planning your itinerary.
Your trip to China would be indeed an unforgettable experience of a lifetime.
For comments and inquiries about the article visit China Tours and Travel.
Lola writes for Passport to China. An inbound tour operating company serving as your gateway to Tours in China
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lola_Adewoyin
http://EzineArticles.com/?Why-You-Need-The-Services-Of-A-Tour-Operator-On-Your-Next-Tour-To-China&id=419589
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02
Road Trip Itinerary v2.0
Published by admin, under Guide Information Provide Travel. No Comments.
Itinerary v2.0
Our trip is shaping up and here is the updated trip itinerary. Instead of cleaning the house Sonja and I have been hammering out some of the last changes in what we want to see. It looks like we are going to skip out on the petrified forest, maybe next time. Instead we are going to visit some places in south Arizona that look interesting some Indian ruins and the infamous Tombstone. Preparations are going well, we have most of our stuff packed, we have a renter who is a good family friend, and the housing people at Fuller are being really great and working with us on getting a place.
-Zach
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As a couple searching for romantic travel destinations, it can be hard to agree on something you both will enjoy. You can narrow down your list by finding out what each of you enjoys the most, then putting your lists together to agree upon a final destination you both love. After trying these simple steps, you should find the planning to go a lot smoother.
Here are some simple questions you can ask yourselves to narrow down your list..
* Are you interested in travelling to famous landmarks? There are some amazing historic monuments and museums that some couples find very romantic.
* Are you looking to relax in a tropical setting? Some popular destinations are Mexico and the Caribbean. (For a complete list, check out the website below).
* Do you want to do any extreme sports while your there? Skydiving, snowboarding, para-sailing…there are tons of them you may want to look in to.
* Are you looking to go somewhere that has a lot of fun activities to keep you busy? Some examples are scuba diving, going to concerts or taking day trips.
* Are you looking for a trip that is all inclusive? There are many websites that can offer you great deals if you book a package deal. These are usually flight + hotel + meals. Some also may include transportation or activities. (If you book your trip during a low season, or book a last minute deal, you can save huge amounts of money)
* Would you prefer joining tour groups, or doing things on your own? Many European trip companies offer tour groups. Many people enjoy these because it gives them an opportunity to meet different people and they may feel more safety as a group.
* Do you enjoy nature? Would you like to go somewhere that you can ‘take it all in’? There are so many beautiful countries filled with waterfalls, mountains, rivers and majestic scenery. Do some research to find the perfect on for you and your partner.
*Are you looking to stay in one place or would you enjoy a cruise to several different locations? Cruise bring more variety which many people like. However, you must adhere to the cruise’s time schedule.
Try going over these questions with your partner to narrow down you list. Answering them will hopefully help you identify a romantic adult getaway you both will enjoy.
Good Luck!
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Factory Butte, Utah - Protecting The Winkler and Wright fishhook cacti
Published by admin, under Road Trip. No Comments.
There currently is lots of controversy about access to Factory Butte. Located near Capitol Reef National Park, it has been a magnet for years for off highway vehicles. It is many times described as a barren moonscape, or a towering monolith. For years people have had almost unlimited access, until now!
Bob Therrien is a travel writer and has traveled all over North America. He currently operates the website at http://www.adventurezonetours.com
Author: Bob Therrien
http://www.factorybutteutah.com
Factory Butte Recreational Area, Utah is near Capital Reef National Park in Wayne County, Utah and seen off of highway 24. Currently there is much discussion on how to protect its unique badlands. Much of the discussion is on how to control erosion from ORV’s (off road vehicles). The concern is damage to the crust of the Mancos shale. The BLM announced fall of 2006 that it was limiting some motorized travel to designated routes while keeping a popular off-highway recreational area open to cross-country travel.
The area offers opportunity for hiking, canyoneering, camping, cycling in addition to the ATV’s and 4WD vehicles. The lands are administered by the BLM. The BLM has noted the rare species of fishhook cactus growing in the San Rafael Swell in the north to east of the Waterpocket Fold in the south. Unique formations include Mancos Shale, Morrison, Dakota, Carmel, Entrada, Moenkopi and Curtis.
The Richfield, Utah Bureau of Land Management announced in Sept, 2006 that some limiting of the area was now in place to protect two endangered species of cacti from recreational impacts. The BLM also announced that there were still lots of fun area, from challenging terrain to easy-riding scenic loops to the 2,600-acre “open play area” at Swing Arm City.
OHV riders will be able to access points throughout the 148,500-acre Factory Butte area on the extensive network of designated routes that run from the Emery County line in the north to the Garfield County line to the south, and from Capitol Reef National Park on the west to Skyline Rim on the east. Other motorized opportunities exist at Factory Butte for everything from passenger car touring to single-track motorcycling.
Many locals and people from surrounding states who are avid off-roaders who worship Factory Butte’s wide-open terrain are angry about the new rules. It’s easy to see why. These wide open badlands are well suited for dirt bikes, and ATV’s. The out of this world landscape is one draw. It’s one of the largest, most spectacular badlands on the Colorado plateau. There are miles and miles of rolling hills that the wind shaped the Mancos shale soil into a rider’s paradise.
Utah is one of the last Western states still largely wide-open for travel on public lands. The BLM controls nearly half of Utah, and offers more than 70,000 miles of dirt roads, tracks and trails.
Research, read and share trip reports and pics here.
Activities to Enjoy: |
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| Hiking | Golf | ATVs | Boating |
| Camping | Ice Skating | Biking | Rafting |
| Hunting | Wildlife | Fall Colors | Scenic Drives |
| Museums | Lakes/Rivers | Snowmobiling | Dog Sledding |
| Horseback Riding | Fresh Water Fishing | ||
| Climbing/Canyoneering | Festivals/State Fairs | ||
| Alpine & Nordic Skiing/Snowboarding | |||
National Parks, State Parks, National Monuments, and Wilderness Areas, All in One Website!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT OUR NATIONAL PARKS -
On AdventureZoneTOURS.com
Cedar City, UT (February 27, 2007) The good news is that the United States of America has protected some of the most unique and incredible places to see on earth, and to encourage visitors, AdventureZoneTOURS.com brings all the parks, monuments, and wilderness areas into one online message board where people can share information about these fantastic outdoors resources.
The bad news is that the National Parks face a budget crisis. Struggling to protect the historic, cultural and natural resources, the parks are short of funds for operating facilities, repairs to roads, bridges, trails and buildings. In 2006, a $814 million shortfall was reported. With the National Park Service covering almost 400 protected areas, NPS has fewer employees to service the growing number of visitors per year. Over 273,000,000 people visited the National Parks in 2005, with reports of declining visitors. AdventureZoneTOURS.com fills in the gap where information on locations and services are currently lacking. Instead of contacting a variety of parks or wilderness areas to compile your trip, now planning and previewing a vacation or adventure is just a click away on AdventureZoneTOURS.COM.
In a recent trend, volunteering has become very popular with more people willing to offer their time or vacation in assisting the parks and outdoor organizations with clean up, rebuilding trails and other important tasks. AdventureZoneTOURS.com not only features a message board for each region of every state but under the category Special Interests members are invited to post messages for volunteer opportunities or find links to the volunteer opportunity just right for them.
Bob Therrien, President of TrainingPASS Sales, Inc., creator of AdventureZoneTOURS.com, outdoor writer, and constant traveler commented, “Over the years, the hardest part for me has been the research about which parks, hikes, climbs, guides I want to visit with my family and friends. Exploring site after site, then mapping the distance from each area of interest is inefficient and many times lacking in information. To solve that inefficiency we (AdventureZoneTOURS.com) have collected all the basic information about our parks, wilderness areas and national monuments into one website. We’re still working on the mapping solution right now, so that a visitor can visually see just a region of a state and distances between multiple areas of interest. AdventureZoneTOURS.com is an outdoors recreation message board that now needs real trip reports from people who love these parks and are willing to share information on their special places.”
The Outdoor Adventure Message Board opens up to reveal historic park photos and a listing of U.S. States separated into travel regions. Click on search to find your park or any state region and there are sub forums for all the parks, monuments and wilderness areas in that region. You’ll find links to park maps, webcams and several interesting choices to pick from within a state region. Choose just the park to visit or check special interest message boards for posts on volunteer opportunities and travel for women only, men, training retreats, or shuttle posts.
For the activity-specific minded, AdventureZoneTOURS.com encourages users to share trip reports for a variety of outdoor activities from hiking, climbing, canyoneering, geo exploring, photography, ghost towns, mines, and cave to water sports such as boating, fishing, jet and water skiing, tubing, rafting, and scuba. Winter travel sports locations for snowmobiling, skiing and snowboarding are featured. Hunting locations, ATV and horseback trails as well as the most scenic areas for outdoor photography are also available as individual topic posts. To research or share your favorite adventure travel location, and for more information, log on to www.AdventureZoneTOURS.com.
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Key Largo is not only full of wildlife and underwater creatures, but there are tons of different shopping places to find some great souvenirs to take home and show your friends and family. Key Largo also holds some of the best hotels and restaurants for families or for romance. If you are more into the wild side of life and having fun, there are also many clubs and bars that you can go to so you cut loose and have fun with your friends. Therefore, if any of these awesome adventures is you are looking for to do, then make sure to visit Key Largo for the time of your life. Pago Galas Food can be outrageously expensive at Walt Disney World and sometimes, of poor quality. There are also great things with Disney World, like a great way to get rejuvenated and re-energized for the next busy day is to take advantage of one of the luxurious spas that are located at the deluxe resorts from Walt Disney World. Those are actually the only products of his prodigious and rich creativity. Get married in the Disney World but for real. A custom wedding with a more flexible package and with more than 10 guests, ceremony and personalized reception will cost you from $7,500. Not cheap but why not start your marriage in the world of fantasy. You can also start your day early at the Magic Kingdom as each morning one of Disneys theme parks opens an hour early only for guests staying at a Disney resort. If you are a registered guest of a Disney resort, you can drop off the kids at one of their child care centers for around $10 an hour per child where they are given dinner along with classic Disney movies, arts and crafts, and video games.
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