Thursday, May 9, 2013

Namibia, a Stunning Vacation Area for Photographers

By Stacey Parker


There are only a few places worldwide that can offer the visual impact that Namibia can provide. You have seascapes, colonial cities, wildlife and sand-dunes all in one trip! Namibia is a country with wide open areas where you can truly enjoy Africa at its best. It is not touristy and you will really find a kinship to "mother earth" that it is tough to find elsewhere.

Namibia is divided into 4 major regions. To the north you have your Kavango and Caprivi regions which are the less dry areas of the country. Here you will discover dense woodlands. The Himba people stay in the nearby Kaokoland in their typical way and it is possible to locate their little settlement and talk to them to find out about their religious beliefs, their food and their marriage ceremonies. The precise location of the settlement changes as they "relocate camp" quite frequently. Usually, the Himba tribe is rather tolerant of the travelers and allow photographs to be taken.

To the West you have your Namib Desert and Coastal plains. You should not miss out on the dune fields in the Namib-Naukluft Park and also the Sand Dunes in Sossusvlei, which are amongst the highest worldwide. It is really a wonderful experience to be able to see, and take pictures of, these monochromatic wide open areas with a gentle orange and red shade to them. In stark contrast to the dunes, the African sky is a deep turquoise color. The coastal areas are just as impressive and have stunning, untouched coastlines. You can stop in for the day in Swakopmund, which is a charming little seaside town. Here you can get terrific snaps of the lively faces at the out door market. You can likewise see the Museum and the aquarium or go fishing or quad-biking over the desert dunes or, if you are particularly adventurous, you can take a microlight flight over the desert to take some memorable Pictures.

Namibia holidays are not complete without a visit to the Eastward sloping central plateau, where you will encounter the Etosha Pan bordered by the Etosha National Park, which is said to be one of the world's grandest national parks. The Etosha Pan is a salt pan that is fifty kilometers wide and 130km long. The park is dotted with perennial springs and waterholes so there is lots of wildlife. Many of the animals have adjusted to residing in Namibia, so there are numerous special types of animals to be found, not excluding a unique breed of lion. Game drives are available on open jeeps, escorted by rangers.

To the South you will come across the Kalahari desert, which extends across the confining nations of South Africa and Botswana. Maybe this is the least intriguing area of the country, but if you happen to be there sometime around September and October, you may wish to learn if there are any flower shows. In these months, sometimes the desert is transformed into an unbelievable array of color as wild desert flowers bloom all at once and cover the arid surface as far as the eye can see.

You can then drive inland and go to Windhoek, which is essentially the economical heart of the country. It is situated in the central highlands. Also you should not miss driving up Namibia's highest mountain, called Brandberg, which is two thousand five hundred and seventy three meters tall.

Namibia is really a surprising country. For photography fans, it is a chance to take pictures in some of the rarest locations you might ever see. Immersed in the sand and sun of this lonesome and immense land, you will almost feel as if you come from another planet completely!




About the Author:



Read More »

Useful Strategies On How To Develop And Manage A Money-making Resort Business

By Billy Zane


Becoming the owner of your own vacation and wellness accommodations business is one of the best ways to do something you love every day while actually making money. Explore all of your options before you begin. You'll need an effective approach to your new business, and then you'll be running a successful travel accommodations business before you know it. Read on to learn how to get started.

Make sure to collect payment from every customer. Some will do their best to get out of the payment they owe you. Have a plan for getting money from people who will try to take advantage of you.

When a customer visits your resort or your outlet, a horde of sleepy and reluctant workers all over the place will send all the wrong signals about what your work culture is. It is in fact a big turn off for any potential vacation and wellness accommodations business you may be getting. To keep revived the interest in work and to keep your staff from taking work as drudgery make an effort to put them through some drill or exercises to perk them up every morning. It heightens energy levels and that reflects in your service.

Every successful vacation and wellness accommodations business should be aware of follow-ups and their importance. It's simple! When someone calls, show up at their office. This is a great method to show customers you care about their business and it is also an effective way to create a relationship with customers creating future sales.

Once a vacation and wellness accommodations business reaches a certain size, it becomes essential for it to have a strong human resources department. The HR department will make sure that current employees stay happy and efficient and that new hires will meet the high quality standards of the resort.

Getting a prompt entry into some elite online directories may need time, but you've also got to try some of the free online directory services. Enter that list and see what a difference it'll make to your vacation and wellness accommodations business and very soon with your competence and good business sense you'll definitely enter the more renowned listing.

You must construct a general plan if you want your vacation and wellness accommodations business to thrive. Create a plan for the future to ensure the stability and success of your resort.

If your vacation and wellness accommodations business takes off and expands quickly, you'll have to find zealous workers who will take it to another high. The hiring and the training of the personnel is one of the major investments for your future success, which you'll have to look into seriously. Make sure they are on the same page when it comes to understanding the level and quality of work.

When you hire employees, make sure that they are helpful by nature; if not, train them the way you think is best. You can look for online instructions for guiding your employees. This will definitely increase your product sales.




About the Author:



Read More »

Birding In Yaxha

By Linda Patterson


One of the most significant cities during the Mayan civilization is Yaxha. This city is a part of the Yaxha-Nakum-Naranjo National Park. The well preserved forest and the Yaxha lagoon are its pride. The lagoon is considered to be Maya Biosphere's most important water systems.

Yaxha As An Archaeological Site

This site is known as the third largest archaeological site after Tikal and El Mirador. 40 stalae, 13 altars, 2 ball courts, 9 temple pyramids and a series of sacbe'ob or causeways, connecting the east, north and central acropolis, comprises its more than 500 ancient structures. One can climb the 9 pyramids because the wooden stairs are well built and safe. You will see a breathtaking view of the jungles, the pyramids and the lakes once you are at the top of the partially restored Temple 216. The sound of the birds and Howler monkeys can also be heard.

There are still other interesting attractions and they are the Maler Group, the North Acropolis and the unnamed astronomical observation structure. The North Acropolis is bordered by 3 temples. The Maler Group features a twin temple which is similar to the twin Temples in Tikal. The observatory structure is not yet named but is very popular.

A Perfect Place To Go Bird Watching

This ancient Mayan city serves as a wonderful destination for nature lovers, bird watchers and those who are interested in archaeology. It is one of the main ancient Mayan civilizations and was rediscovered in 1904 through continuous excavation. Located in the southeast part of the Tikal National Park, it is also a part of the National Park of Yaxha-Nakum-Naranjo. A tropical rainforest which is abundant with Neotropical varieties of plant life encloses the Yaxha lagoon which is magically carved in limestone.

This birding destination offers more wonderful bird watching experiences as there is less human traffic and there are a lot of exotic bird species. Flocks of beautiful White-crowned parrot, Red-lored parrot, and White-fronted parrot can be seen at the observatory pyramid. The lagoon also offers a great place to see a lot of birds especially the rare Jabiru especially if you go there during the Nearctic shorebirds' migration season. The lagoon can be inviting but swimming is not allowed due to the presence of crocodiles.

In the forest of Yaxha, you will be able to see a lot of bird species such as Tawny-crowned Greenlet, Pale-billed Woodpecker, Sulphur-rumped Flycatcher, Crane Hawk, Short-billed Pigeon, Brown-hooded Parrot, Killed-billed Toucan, Bat Falcon, Plain Chachalaca, Brown Jay, Slaty-tailed trogon and Blue Bunting.

For bird watching enthusiasts, Yaxha is the place to be as it is less crowded and offers the best birding opportunities.




About the Author:



Read More »

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

How To Get A Cruise Vacation From Southampton When You're On A Budget

By Cab Serene


At present, the opportunities to go on a vacation with your family are few and far between. And as such when the rare opportunity comes, you have to make sure that you put your best foot forward. But even if this is true, this should not cause you to spend heftily for it.

And as such if you think going on a cruise from Southampton is the ideal vacation for your family, then you should be in pursuit of cheap Cruises from Southampton. But how would you deal with this? Following are some tips you can consider when sourcing out cheap cruise packages.

One is to book early or book late. If you are after the best prices, consider booking in advance as the rates tend to increase as the sail dates come closer. Aside from this you can avail of early bird discounts, which some cruise could offer.

You should be aware too, however, that booking late - last minute, that is, you could probably take advantage of last-minute cancellations that could give you access to bargain. Having said that, if you can be flexible with your schedule, then you could make more savings. Next, explore the possibility of booking online. Many things have been written about making a purchase online but above all these, when it comes to finding cheap buys, the online shops make a good option.

You have to keep in mind though that there are many online cruise providers, which necessitate that you shop around. In this case, you should check first the cruise holidays at Cruiseo or the cruise packages from other providers to be able to compare well. This could also help you get introduced to the cheapest ships. But as always you have to be reminded of the fact that cheapest deals are not good deals all the time. And as such, you have to pay attention to getting the best value.

Getting the best value for your travel money could lead to the other strategy which pertains to calculating all your travel costs before booking. You need to check which are included in the cruise package and which are not. To begin with, you can head to Cruiseo. Browse though the site for the cheap cruises and never leave it unless you have obtained important details such as the cost and the inclusions. Unless you have accomplished this step, you wouldn't be able to choose which cheap cruise is worth the money you would pay for it.




About the Author:



Read More »

What You Can Do To Look For Budget-friendly Cruises To Alaska

By Candy Coller


If you have plans to go to Alaska on a cruise there is no need for you to spend a lot of money, especially when there are a number of tips that can help you find easy to afford cruise vacations. Determining exactly how much you can afford to spend on this cruise to Alaska is among the first things you need to do. And there are a couple of reasons why you should.

By setting a specific price range, you not only find low-priced Alaska Cruises, you also save time since you narrow down the number of options you can choose from. This is a great way to get the cruise vacation you want without spending a lot of time and effort.

Doing an online search is by far the most convenient and easiest way to find these easy to afford cruise vacations. It is easy to browse through sites such as Cheap Cruises to find cruise vacation deals that fit your budget. You are going to find a lot of people that choose to make their travel arrangements on the internet since doing so saves a lot of time and effort.

This is possible because you can access a lot of information on the internet within a short period of time. It is also possible to visit several websites at the same time so you can easily compare three or more cruise vacation packages with each other until you find the best deals available. It is also possible to learn more about the cruise package deals you are interested in before you decide to make travel arrangements to be sure you are going to get the vacation you like.

You also need to remember that shopping around for cruise package deals take time. Meaning, you must attend to your travel details in advance to get enough time to compare various offers with each other until you find one that would work for your budget. About six to twelve months ahead of time is the time-frame you need to find the best Princess Cruises that are affordable. This also leaves you with enough time to prepare travel documents and other travel requirements.

You also need to take some time to learn more about the travel companies that offer these package deals to avoid hassles or delays. Study all your available options before choosing cruise packages and travel companies.




About the Author:



Read More »

I Firmly Believe That Falken Tires Are The Very Best Tires Available

By Kayleigh N. Lueilwitz


I take a lot of pride in my car, and want to always keep it in tip top shape, so I am always very particular about the parts and equipment I select to use on my car, and it is for this reason, I always buy Falken tires for my car. It may sound humorous, but the way I really came to value these tires so much was when I had a terrifying run in with an enormous dog that allowed me to really see and examine up close, the amazing quality of these tires.

I have worked as a claims adjuster for the past ten years, and as part of my job I often have to go out and inspect mobile homes for weather damage claims, which is what I was doing on this specific day, and as I crawled under the mobile home, I felt almost certain that the whole things was going to collapse on top of me. The area underneath the mobile home was filled with spiders and droppings from some sort of tiny woodland mammal, but what was worse was when a vicious attack dog suddenly appeared and attacked me.

I got out from under there in record time and started making a mad dash towards my car, but I soon realized I would not make it in time, so I decided instead to dive under a nearby car. The car was sort of a junker, but what really impressed me as I lay under the car were the new tires on the car which were labeled as Falken tires and they were absolutely incredible.

As I lay there wishing for my life, I observed that these tires were of very high quality, and that the tread had an interesting pattern that looked like it would certainly give a good secure grip on the asphalt. I was trapped under this car for quite a long time as this vicious dog snarled and snapped at me, but luckily I was just out of reach, but it gave me plenty of time to thoroughly inspect these tires.

After a long time, someone came home and saw my dilemma and they put the dog back behind the fence, so I was able to crawl out and reluctantly do the rest of my inspection, even though I really just wanted to flee from the whole mess. A couple weeks after this experience I noticed the tires on my own car were looking worn and bald, and I remembered how impressive those Falken tires were, so I went down to the tire shop and bought some for my car, and I have not been disappointed with the way they perform, especially as I drive down terrible rural roads in search of more out of the way mobile homes to inspect.




About the Author:



Read More »

Explore Brooklyn, Beginning with Park Slope and Cobble Hill

By Peter Lim


If you are thinking about the best things to do in New york city but going through Manhattan-fatigue, look no further than Cobble Hill. Cobble Hill is among Brooklyn's eldest communities, originally settled by the Dutch during the 1600s, and taking its name from the cobblestones that used to cover its thoroughfares. Unfortunately for pedestrians, those cobblestones are no longer there. Happily for drivers, those cobblestones are no longer there. (Spend an afternoon driving through Red Hook to grasp what I'm saying.)

At any rate, here's why you ought to care: Brooklyn boasts a range of these "postcard" neighborhoods - Park Slope, Brooklyn Heights, and even Bedford Stuyvesant to a degree - each having its own quality. Strolling the tree lined thoroughfares of Cobble Hill (we propose Bergen or Pacific between Smith and Hoyt streets to help get the idea - see map underneath) instills a comparable zenlike serenity to that of Park Slope's rows of brownstones, but architecture devotees will notice slight stylistic differences between the two neighborhoods' houses and lots. Begin with the Carroll Gardens side (F to Carroll), and you will see the neighborhood's special element - real front yards. Saunter down President Street from Smith to Bond to get the archetypal Carroll Gardens sightseeing experience.

The beauty of these locations is more than skin deep. The shops, restaurants and bars that dot Court, Smith, and Henry Streets will take your breath away. Should you be feeling bold, try what's arguably Brooklyn's best Sushi eaterie (among tough competitors), Ki Sushi. On the other side of the spectrum, both geographically and stylistically, is just one of Brooklyn's very best New American (yelp's phrase for "chef-driven, artisanal") places to eat, Buttermilk Channel. Somewhere between is an eclectic combination of retailers that features anything from family-owned-generations-old salami stores to upstart cheese shops, and a lot of craft and style. If you're looking for boutiques, you can find a few on Smith Street, though hardly the density you'd see in Williamsburg or next door along Atlantic Avenue. Here, it's specialty food oddities (often tinged with Carroll Gardens' Italian American heritage) and kitsch that rules the day.

A ride on the F train to 7th Ave puts you within the thick of postcard Park Slope. Why would you worry about this area? If you're looking at this website it's probably because you're either completely disinterested in Times Square and the Empire State Building or have experienced them before.

Do you know what makes New York distinctive from Dallas or Dubai?

The centuries-old pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods. I could easily write all day, but once you step off the train at 7th ave and 9th Street you'll get it. The slope adjoins Prospect Park on its west side, and falls gently in elevation down to 3rd Avenue. For this excursion, we've stuck to between 6th ave and Propect Park West, and between Grand Army Plaza and Park Circle.




About the Author:



Read More »

The Famous Ancient Ruler Of The Ancient Mayan City Of Palenque

By Frank D. Gardner


It would take 15 minutes for a traveler to arrive the Palenque archaeological site from the town of Palenque in the Chiapas State of Mexico. In this archaeological site, impressive structures and many archaeological finds can be found, making this ancient city very interesting for those who want to know more about this ancient civilization. Moreover, thi is the city that was ruled by The Great King Pakal II who was one of the most recognized Mayan rulers.

Taking A Tour To This Ancient Maya City

This very old city is now a National Park and there are great tours offered to this place. There is a museum that can be visited wherein one can see a number of treasures that are on display. If you are done visiting the museum, one can opt to explore the jungle and cross the hanging bridge that will lead you to 'The Queen's Bath', which is a well known sweet water creek. You may also go to 'The Temple of the Cross', 'The Palace', and the 'Temple of the Inscriptions' which is the most remarkable and also the most important ancient structure dominating the plaza where the Tumba real or grave of King Pakal (K'nich Kan B'alam) is found.

The Museum Of Palenque

Treasures such as statues of Kan B'alam taken from the Temple Of The Cross can be found in the museum. One of the statues is a full statue and the other is a stucco head. The museum also displays the beautifully restored throne which was taken from The Palace. Other archaeological remains are found in this museum.

The Palace Found In The Ancient City Of Palenque

The extraordinary palace in the ancient city of Palenque is composed of great structures and an extensive building structure with long rooms and corridors. This is where the ruler of the city resides and where they conduct rituals. In nearly all of the rooms, ornate benches can be found which served as thrones for the rulers. The walls have holes which were thought to be used for pegs that held tapestries, which covered up the doorways and also split up the rooms. The entire Palace was constructed at several different stages. The structures are built at different times and the Tower was last to be built by the Mayans before they abandoned the ancient city. Courtyards, buildings and houses comprised the impressive city.

The Temple Of The Cross Complex

To celebrate the significant dates in King Pakal II's life up to his accession to the throne is the reason why the Temple Of The Cross was built. There are actually rumors that the King might be really buried here and not on the tomb situated on the Temple of the Inscriptions. This is also one other structure in pyramid form. The statue of Kan B'alam with his father, King Pakal I in a smaller figure and in front can be found on the top part. Several other researches deemed that the two figures could possibly be both Kan B'alam, one illustrating him as a young man plus the other as the king. The entrance to the otherworld is represented by The Tree or the Holy Ceiba which stands between the figures.

The Significant Temple of the Inscriptions

This temple is deemed to be among the most significant discoveries during the Mesoamerican era. Although, this pyramid is not as majestic and dominating compared to others yet it is very significant owing to the fact that it holds the tomb of one of the most well known ancient Mayan rulers, The Great Kan B'alam II. For 68 years, the king ruled over the city and he was just 12 years of age when he was enthroned. This made his tomb the most popular among the Maya ruins. A 5 ton richly decorated sculptured sarcophagus lid, measuring 12 by 7 feet covers the tomb stylishly. The tomb was undisturbed during the time it was discovered. The cover was considerably and meticulously etched with the elegantly dressed king descending into the otherworld.

Tours to this National Park takes more than one day. The area can be explored for two to three days. This would enable one to really discover and enjoy its beauty and wonder of the ancient Maya civilization.




About the Author:



Read More »

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Catering Services: How Should You Go About Choosing The Best One?

By Jasmine Blacker


In any events which are significant in its size such as a business function or a birthday party, there'll be many guests which have to be fed. There could well be hundreds of individuals who are going to the big event and therefore, utilizing a catering service will likely be vital. Because these huge events are constantly being hosted, the particular demand for catering services is usually quite high. Because of this, tons of catering companies have been set up and the choices which are available to you will be tremendous indeed. It would be fairly challenging to make the appropriate choice without some advice.

Prior to hiring virtually any catering services for the big event, you should first consider a number of key elements. The most important factor would be the company's reputation. If the company 's been around long enough, it's likely that there will be reviews of them which you can typically find on the web. Through the evaluation of its testimonials, you can have a general idea on the quality of the services. For instance, the prior clients of the catering company would usually comment on the food quality, which should also be your primary consideration since that is really what the catering service is all about. Furthermore, you'll also have a few waiters who'll be provided as part of the service. It really is highly important that these waiters be efficient and also friendly whenever they're on the job. It wouldn't be good have waiters who will just stand around a corner and have conversations amongst themselves instead of looking after the guests. All of these will most likely be part of the actual reviews that you could find online.

One more thing you have to bear in mind would be the price of it. Depending on the type of function you're hosting as well as the magnitude of it, the cost of the services will vary appropriately too. Nevertheless, regardless of the forms of services which you plan to utilize, the costs should always be sensible. In the event that you're unsure of just how much a reasonable price will be like because you're unfamiliar with these things, there's a couple of ways to find out about this. A solution to this is to make a comparison between every one of the catering companies that are available in your area. By taking these prices and determining the average, you may then use this as a standard amount of cost. Of course, if you would like to get premium services for the grander events such as a massive corporate meeting or possibly a wedding, you should expect to pay a lot more.

You should also take note of the fact that you will have several catering services which have a particular specialization pertaining to the particular occasions that they provide their services for. Some of them may only supply services for wedding events, for example. Often, you'll find that these specialized services are much more efficient and effective. This is because they will have catered for a lot of weddings before and they'd know better just what the guests usually want with regard to the food and drinks. By making use of these kinds of services, you will not need to bother about the suitability as well as adequacy of the food and drinks for the big event. Most of the time, the food catering business itself would have the very best choices set for you depending on their experience.

Whatever the type of companies you're deciding to retain the services of, it would be smart to do a little analysis first. Otherwise, in the event the services of the caterers you hire are bad in terms of their quality, you would seriously tarnish whatever goal the event is hosted for.




About the Author:



Read More »

Exciting Accommodations in Costa Rica

By Burl Schempp


The exquisitely beautiful country of Costa Rica is located between Panama and Nicaragua in Central America. It is bordered by the Pacific Ocean on the West and the Caribbean Sea on the East. The people are friendly and outgoing and the country is one of the most progressive in Central or South America. Are you thinking of vacationing in Costa Rica? Narrow your search for that perfect hotel by taking the following possibilities into consideration. Costa Rica is one of the most popular vacation destinations in Central America. There are an abundance of hotels available in the most popular sightseeing areas, such as Tamarindo, San Jose, Tortuguero and Monteverde. Your decision may be to stay in a traditional villa, a modern hotel, a jungle lodge or a mountaintop retreat.

For example, at Cala Luna resort in Tamarindo there are villas where you can stay that have several rooms which accommodate two to six people. Enjoy the lush vegetation including hibiscus and silver palms while you sip exotic drinks by your private pool. After deep-sea fishing, an evening swim and a sunset cruise, prepare local dishes in your kitchen and dine in air-conditioned comfort. If a traditional hotel is more to your liking, Hotel Alta is the perfect choice. It is tucked into the hills just above San Jose, the lovely capital city. From here you can enjoy all the sights, sounds and adventures of the city of San Jose. Shop and dine on the nearby Escaz's Golden Mile, enjoy a butterfly farm and historical landmarks by day and the exciting nightlife of the city in the evening.

If you want to hide away while you are in Costa Rica, the Monteverde region may be the place for you. Charming lodges are nestled away in the mountains, affording you a breathtaking view of the Gulf of Nicoya and the cloud forest. Enjoy the bustling city of San Jose. Accommodations can be found right in the heart of the city, or higher up in the mountains where you can view everything. Here in the city you can take a thrilling white water rafting ride down the Sarapiqui River. Take a boat ride to Tortuga Island or go high class and take the Punta Coral tour aboard a fancy yacht.

While in the San Jose area, take the hour trip to La Paz Waterfall Gardens. This is home to five natural waterfalls and features paved trails and viewing platforms. La Paz is home to the largest butterfly observatory and has a hummingbird and orchid garden. Visit the exciting Irazu or Poaz Volcanos. The views are stunning and it's thrilling to see them on a clear day when you may be treated to some actual volcanic activity!

Tortuguero is the place for a taste of the Caribben and lush jungles and canals. Hotels include the Manatus Hotel and the Mawamba Lodge. A very popular Caribbean hotel is the Almonds and Corals Hotel. This is only a small sampling of amazing and diverse hotels in Costa Rica. Choosing a region and planning vacation activities first will help narrow down the right hotel for a memorable and exciting Costa Rican vacation.




About the Author:



Read More »
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...