Travel Articles Directory: 2015

Tuesday 26 May 2015

Visit Portugal: Road Trip Itinerary for Traveling North of Lisbon!

Portugal is an ideal vacation destination. The country is full of gorgeous beaches along the rugged coastline, charming little towns seeped in history, grand churches, castles, and cathedrals making skylines, and there's even sunny weather nearly all year long! Are you thinking of traveling to Portugal and wondering what are some of the top recommended cities to visit? Let me tell you, that is a very hard question to answer! Having lived in Portugal for the past year and a half, visiting the biggest cities, as well as the nearby charming little villages, I've become furthermore enchanted by the country. Regardless, I've decided to put together this list to give some guidance to someone planning a trip to the magical country.

I recommend that you rent a car to explore beautiful Portugal on your own time and take in the surrounding. I've gone ahead and put together an itinerary for you to consider - one that will allow you to explore the best of the entire country! I've decided to split the itinerary between two regions of Portugal - North of Lisbon and South of Lisbon. This hub is about planning a road up North.

Top 5 Cities to Visit in Central / North Portugal - Road Trip Itinerary

As you drive up north, you will need to take either Highway A1 or Highway A8. I prefer Highway A8 since that road winds its way right along the gorgeous coast. The major cities I recommend for you to visit on your road trip are:

Lisbon - Lisbon, Lisboa in Portuguese is where your trip will most likely begin. You will need a couple of days to explore Lisbon and nearby fabulous towns.
Obidos - Make your way up north by driving one hour to the lovely walled city of Obidos.
Coimbra - Next, travel north about one hour (70 miles) to the medieval town of Coimbra.
Aveiro - Following Coimbra, drive just about 40 miles up north to Aveiro, the town nicknamed the "Venice of Portugal".
Porto - Finish off your road trip in Porto, Oporto in Portuguese - Portugal's 2nd largest city.

Macau

Source: lady rain

Macau is the first European settlement in the Far East. It was colonised by the Portuguese in the 16th century, during the great era of Portuguese exploration initiated by Prince Henry the Navigator.

The Portuguese used Macau as a staging port and as a base for introducing Christianity to China and Japan. Other European countries plotted to seize Macau from Portugal, the Dutch tried to invade the city in 1622 but failed. The Portugese ruled for over 400 years before Macau was returned to China as a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China on December 20, 1999. The official languages of Macau are Chinese and Portuguese.

When the Portuguese settled in Macau to spread Christianity, the first priests immediately started to build Catholic churches. The early churches were made of wood and matting. By the mid 17th century, plaster and stone were used in the construction of these buildings. Aside from the famous Ruins of St Paul's, many churches, squares and religious buildings constructed by the Portuguese are still standing throughout the city and are listed as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Macau.

First time climbing the Tree? Here's the beta.

Whether you are coming to Joshua Tree to rock climb, hike, go bird-watching, plant-gazing, or to work(it's a great photographer's location), a little bit of info goes a long way in making the trip more pleasurable.

This guide, though geared toward rock climbing, contains plenty of tips for other park users, much of it that will not be found in commercial tour books. So - even if you could care less how they get the rope up there, or think those crazy climbers are all gonna die - read on!

Welcome To Joshua Tree - Start Your Trip Here

Do You Have to do Shore Excursions on a Cruise?

Shore excursions are optional and are not inclusive in your cruise fare. You can either join the shore excursions organized by Star Cruises Superstar Libra or do it on your own.

If you choose to remain on the ship, there are many activities on board that will keep you occupied. Or you can take advantage of the discounts offered for massage, hair and beauty treatment. This is usually offered when the ship is in port.

Go on the Superstar Libra shore excursion and enjoy what Phuket has to offer

Source: greatstuff

The decision to travel

With the summer here and the kids busy with their own lives the decision about what to do for vacation comes up. Husband tells me to pick any place I would like to go ALONE. Why alone I ask. Husband says that with the new employees in our store he doesn't feel comfortable leaving them alone. But I should go ahead, have a good time, relax. Now I have to let you know that I am no wilting flower, I have travelled alone before. In fact I do most of my travelling alone, so this time I was looking forward to travelling with my family. I ask my mother, she can't go, just came back from the Keys. My sister can't go. Best Friend can't go. Wait? Best friend. Let's think about that one. I have a human best friend and I have a fuzzy best friend. And if I say he can go then he can go, right? I am the human in this relationship. So I asked Ivan where he wanted to go and told him to get packed. Fortunately he packs light.

Where to go?

With so many choices I had a hard time deciding where to go. I asked a few people and they had some good ideas (Australia, New Zealand) but with the decision to travel with Ivan I felt perhaps I shouldn't travel internationally. I hit the net. Sooooooooo many options. How to narrow them. And the answer was actually very simple. I clicked accepts pets to narrow my search results. What a great tool! (palm to the forehead) And since I was staying a week I searched sites like airbnb to find somewhere I could cook a few meals and truly be comfortable. A few scrolls and a few clicks later I found a beautiful little apartment in Nevada near Lake Tahoe that accepted pets and was in my price range! My sister was jealous at this point, all she had to say was "That dog gets a better vacation than me!"

Huay Tung Tao Lake in North Thailand: A Visitors' Guide

Located in Chiang Mai Province just a few miles north of Chiang Mai City in north Thailand, Huay Tung Tao Lake and Park is a popular place to visit and enjoy swimming, walking around or just relaxing in your own temporary little bamboo hut by the water's edge while ordering food and drink from the nearby staffed kitchen area. The huts, which are actually just a raised platform with low table and thatched roof, are free to use provided you order at least $10 worth of food and/ or drink. Alternatively, you can sit on the grass somewhere, (mat hire is available, too) but most people don't relish the idea of sitting under the tropical sun for any longer than they have to.

Huay Tung Tao Lake and bamboo huts

Source: chasmac

Looking out over Avra Valley from a prominent vantage point at the Museum.

Source: Aaron Landing

The Acropolis - Ek Balam, Yucatan

Source: (c) Jeff Fromm

Visiting Ek Balam Through the Years

As I was standing on top of the Acropolis, the tallest building in Ek Balam, my first thought was "I stood on top of it when it was just a pile of rocks, covered with vegetation". I happened to mention this to other visitors, and immediately I was the center of attention, people asking me what the place has looked like years ago.

I visited Ek Balam for the first time in 1995. We were on the way to Chichen Itza from Coba, on the old road. After we passed the town of Valladolid, a dirt road led to this small site that we wanted to just stop at. It was called Ek Balam, Night Jaguar. It was a very hot day, and after driving on a dirt road that seemed to be in the middle of nowhere and lead to nowhere, we spotted a small palapa hut. It was the ticket booth, and by it we met the Mayan caretaker of the site. It was midday, the air was still, with no breeze, hot and humid. I didn't really feel like even getting out of the car, but the excitement of seeing a new site motivated me to finally get going. The site was barely excavated, and it was deserted. Alone with the ancient ruins, we felt like true explorers. There were lots of trees, so most of the walk was shaded.

As I got used to walking in clothes dripping with sweat, I started feeling better. Especially when I spotted the few structures that were standing. Most of the buildings were overgrown with vegetation, and some were just a pile of rubble. We climbed on every mound and knew that under the rubble there was a pyramid, or another structure.

We knew that the tallest pile of rubble, overgrown with trees, was a nice size pyramid. We climbed to its top, on a trail that was barely there. It was a challenge for me, but on the top I was rewarded with a great view. We noticed big pieces of cut stones, that we recognized as part of a building. We were on top of the Acropolis, indeed the biggest structure at this site.

After getting off that mound, we kept walking through the small site. I noticed a pile of uniformly cut rectangular stones, most of them numbered, like pieces of a puzzle. It was such an exciting discovery for me! It was a sign the work of archaeologists. We knew that they were in the process of reconstructing some of the buildings.

Years later, I stood on top of the same tall mound, but this time we climbed it on a stairway, stopping along the way to marvel at the statues on its sides. The view from the top was pretty much the same, though there were a lot more structures standing.

We were definitely not alone at the site this time. The site had a different feel this time. I enjoyed seeing the buildings in their entirety. The fact that I've sen them overgrown and deserted made it so much more magical for me.

The 21st Century "City of Lights"

When most people decide to visit the fabled city of “Whatever-Happens-In-Vegas-Stays-In-Vegas,” they usually have one (or more) of several ideas foremost in their minds, those being gambling, unbridled sex, binge drinking (for the Spring Break crowd) or stage shows (for the more sophisticated). For most people who have never been to Las Vegas, even for those who are regulars, Las Vegas represents a virtual playground for adults. For these reasons and more, vast numbers of people coming to Las Vegas for the first time think they know what they are going to see and experience. They have formed preconceived ideas from movies and television shows, but I personally don’t think even preconceived ideas of Las Vegas prepare the first-timer for the total sensory overload they are going to experience from the minute they set foot off the plane. Las Vegas is truly unlike any other city in the world, and it has really become the 21st Century’s “City of Lights.” Once you see the sunset in Las Vegas, when the subtle glow of all of those glamorous and enticing lights begins to transform the already exciting to the “out-of-this-world” extraordinary, a person will experience the reason I say that night time in Las Vegas is the best time to see the city. The night skyline in Vegas is a virtual artist’s palette with each hotel, each casino, even each fast food joint, competing for your attention, and they have hired the best of the best, the geniuses of advertising and color and art to produce the world’s most attention-grabbing displays, going beyond normal to supernormal in their expressions. No one anywhere can beat the light extravaganza, the light show, that is Las Vegas at night. There is so much to see in Las Vegas by day, and there is equally so much to see when night falls. Here’s a photo guide of a few of my favorites for you...and they’re all free to see.

Vegas Architecture Pushes The Limits In Design

A Tale of Bonnie and Clyde: The Bank Robbery at Poteau, Oklahoma

After a long string of petty thefts that began in 1926, Clyde Chestnut Barrow was sent to the Eastham Prison Farm in April 1930. The Eastham Prison Farm was the first maximum-security prison in Texas. Because of its grueling work assignments, the treacherous conditions, and the difficulty of escaping the unit, even hard-core criminals dreaded being sent to this facility.

For Clyde Barrow, incarceration at the Eastham Prison Farm marked the beginning of life of rampage and destruction across the Midwest. While in prison, he was sexually assaulted repeatedly for over a year by a dominant inmate. Having had enough, Clyde fractured the man’s skull with a length of pipe, which lead to his death. This was Clyde Barrow's first killing.

His time in the Eastham Prison Farm also marked the beginning of the end for him, as well as for Bonnie Elizabeth Parker. The two met just four months before Clyde was arrested and sent to prison. According to old stories, Bonnie and Clyde met in January 1930 at a friend's house. Bonnie, who was only 19 at the time, was staying in West Dallas to assist a friend with her broken arm. Clyde dropped by the girl's house while Bonnie was supposedly in the kitchen making hot chocolate.

As they say, it was love at first sight. They were immediately attracted to one another, and over the course of the next few weeks, Bonnie became smitten with Clyde’s roguish behavior and charming demeanor. Throughout their crime spree and violent death, the two remained nearly inseparable.

Paroled in February 1932 from the Eastham Prison Farm, Clyde emerged a hardened and bitter criminal. Ralph Fults, an inmate that knew Clyde well, said he watched him "change from a schoolboy to a rattlesnake." In the "public enemy era" that ran between 1931 and 1934, Bonnie and Clyde quickly joined the ranks of John Dillinger and Pretty Boy Floyd.

After Clyde was released from the Eastham Prison Farm, he immediately began recruiting a gang. His initial thought was to form a gang in order to storm the Eastham Prison, free all of the prisoners, and kill the guards that had assaulted him. He first recruited a close friend of his, an 18-year-old fugitive named Raymond Hamilton. While Raymond initially agreed to help Clyde, he was in it more for the money that could be made. Raymond worked with Clyde on most of their jobs, but once he had “earned” enough, he would leave the gang and go off on his own.

For the next two years, Bonnie and Clyde, along with other members of the “Barrow Gang” terrorized the Midwest. In all, twelve people would be murdered in cold blood during their crime spree, along with countless others who were injured or shot along the way. It seemed that the Barrow Gang was unstoppable. Every time the police thought they had the group cornered, Clyde would always find a seemingly easy escape.

Venice, Canal - Venice is full of hidden gems. Learn how to avoid the tourist traps and discover the best the Italian city has to offer.

Source: Robie Benve

My Favorite Things to Do in Venice

Venice is a dream destination for many people, I know because every time I mention I am from Venice, I get lots of “awwws” and “ahhhs” - not to mention how perfect strangers feel entitled to share with me their Italian travel experiences, but that’s another story.

A lot has been said and written about Venice, I’m sure you already know that it is a wonderful city, and it has so much to offer and be seen; you could spend a full month in Venice, and still not be able to see it all.

In this article I tell you my favorite things to do in Venice, which are beyond the usual tours and landmarks of the city. By all means do, see, and try all the top typical touristic things in Venice that are not listed here.

Once you are in Venice, here is my list of non-touristy things you should definitely find the time to do, because they are worth it.

Witch's Castle (Witches Wall) in Palm Beach, Florida

Life in the Palm Beaches: Folklore, History, and Tourism

The Witch's Castle, Also Called The Witch's Wall

When I was growing up in Palm Beach County in the 1970’s, everybody knew what the “Witch’s Castle” was. It was a stretch of spooky road carved out of a hill on the north end of the island of Palm Beach. The road was always very dark except for the one street light across from the cage in the wall. It was a common place where teenage boys would take their dates and scare the girl into his arms.

As he approaches the area, the teenage boy begins to tell his date the story of Witch’s Castle. “There’s a really rich guy that lives in the house above the dungeon. He keeps his crazy mother down in that dungeon. The only thing of value she has is a window in the wall with bars on it”, he tells her. As he slowly drives the car around the hairpin curve before the spooky road, he starts messing with the gas pedal, and says, “Oh no; I think we’re running out of gas!” When he arrives at the cage in the wall, he abruptly stops the car and screams! This is the way a Palm Beach County boy gets a girl in his arms!

Hawai'i and Native Hawaiians - What You May Not Know

Many think of Hawai’i as the 50^th state of the United States where the weather is sunny all year long, we have hula dancers and surfers, and a TV show called Hawaii 5-0. Besides that though, the relationship between the U.S., Hawai’i and its native people is a complicated one that a majority of people may not know about.

Native Hawaiians are a race of people

Hawaiians are not named for the state (Californians, New Yorkers, Texans, etc.) The state is named for the people.

Native Hawaiians, known also as kanaka maoli, are the indigenous people (and their descendants) of the Hawaiian islands. Their ancestors were the original Polynesians who sailed to Hawai’i and settled the islands around the 5^th Century A.D.

“Native Hawaiian” is a racial classification recognized by the United States. In the 2010 Census: 527,077 people reported that they are Native Hawaiian alone or mixed race including Native Hawaiian. There may be as few as 8,000 pure-blood Native Hawaiians remaining in the world.

Air Asia planes at Low Cost Terminal LCCT at Kuala Lumpur International Airport KLIA

Source: greatstuff

Air Asia Meals on AK Flights

Low cost airline Air Asia in-flight meals are optional and not included in your ticket price. You can buy your meal either on board or buy them in advance, online. If you buy them online, you get discounts of up to 20% plus a free drink.

If you buy them on board the flight, you may not get the meal of your choice as they carry limited stock on the flight. The choice of menu is also limited.

For flights shorter than 75 minutes, you cannot buy hot meals on board the flight. They served only to passengers that had purchased meals online.

I traveled almost every week between Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu, a 2.5-hour flight and have eaten most of their hot meals. Some are good, some are so-so.

For this article I will share with you what are good choices and what are not, based on feedback from my friends and from my own personal experiences.

Food on AirAsia AK Flights

This review will cover foods served on AK flights only, i.e. flights operated by Air Asia Malaysia and not meals served on flights operated by their subsidiary companies, Air Asia Indonesia, Thailand, Japan and the Philippines.

However, some of these foods served on AK flights are available on these flights as well.

By the way, Air Asia practices the 'no outside food' policy hence, you have to buy hot meals from them. In spite of this, I have seen many passengers discreetly sneaked in their own food (not hot meals though) and ate them quietly!

My Three Year Expat Anniversary

In a few days, I will embark on my three year anniversary living in Costa Rica. I can honestly say that I am just as enamored with this country as I was when I first got here.

Living in Costa Rica has been the most rewarding and rich experience for myself and my children. We have all learned so much and grown in so many ways. I knew when we started this journey that living in another culture would be good for us, but words can't express how much I love the people of Costa Rica and how thankful I am for what they have taught me.

I'm not going to write about the things that I would have listed if I had written this article a year or two ago. Of course I love the exotic wildlife, the gorgeous beaches, magnificent sunsets, volcanoes, waterfalls and all the other amazing things this country has to offer. You already knew that.Instead I'm going to write about some of the day to day, living as an expat things. Things that are totally Costa Rican. Some of them are things that at one time frustrated me, some of them are things that I just get a kick out of and some of them just refreshing changes from the culture that I use to live in.

Things in Costa Rica are very different from the States and that contrast is what I love most about it.

So without further ado, here is my list of 10 Things I Love About Living In Costa Rica.

What You Need To Know Before Booking Your Maui Vacation

The Hawaiian Island of Maui is one of the most popular beach vacation destinations. With it's world class snorkeling and diving, stunning jungle, 10,000 foot volcano, easy access to Lanai, and dozens of beach front high end resorts, Maui has something for every taste.

A colorful guide to Maui

Source: Jennifer Arnett

White Stork, Emblem of Alsace

Stand to Attention! Time to Muster

Source: awillis c/o annart.hubpages.com

A Room with a View

We looked out of our Munster hotel bedroom window in wonder. Atop a tree was a large concoction of twigs at least a metre wide and standing in the middle, on one leg, was a huge, red-billed, mainly white bird. The wing-tips, folded down, were black and his leg (I presumed the other also) matched the bill.

He stood, an elegant statue, motionless for at least ten minutes, the feathers below his long neck an impressive cream ruff. He and his mate had not long returned to Alsace from a nine month sojourn in North Africa . He had come back in early Spring, to rebuild the family nest, then she had followed later, to lay eggs. Together they would soon be caring for their offspring, usually four, who would migrate in early Autumn and the parents would follow some time later. An amazing instinct enables them to then find their offspring and they care for their young for a long time.

A second tree in the hotel garden supported two more nests. The oddest thing of all was the structure which contained the fourth nest. It was a man-made support, a concrete telegraph pole to all intent, with a circular, wire, low-rimmed basket at its summit. Into this bowl a couple of storks had woven twigs and the like to create their own home on this fabricated ‘tree’ and the female sat therein.

Why would man build such a thing for these birds? The answer lies in their history.

Welcome to the "Other" Washington

Nestled in the northwest corner of the “lower 48” is Washington State which is:

where you will find Mount Rainier
home of the Space Needle
the mecca for software companies
location of the original Starbucks
the birthplace of grunge music
the backdrop for the Twilight series
location of the 2015 U.S. Open.

…and where you will find Pike Place Market.

The Simple Facts

Established in 1907, Pike Place Market is a year-round farmers’ market in the heart of the Seattle waterfront. Within this nine-acre historic area you will find produce stands, fish markets, butcher shops, owner-operated bakeries, and crafts markets—over 200 unique owner-operated shops. In addition there are over 80 restaurants, everything from casual take-out to the finest in dining. There is definitely something for everyone.

How a Major Category 3 Hurricane Would Affect New York City

After Hurricane Irene made landfall in southern New Jersey as a Category 1 Hurricane and in Brooklyn, New York as a strong Tropical Storm in August 2012, it is important to consider how a major Category 3 Hurricane would affect New York City upon making landfall in the New York City area, and what such a hurricane would do to the large coastal city and its surrounding areas.

It should be noted that while not unprecedented, a hurricane striking New York City or even within 50 miles of New York City is a rare event. The high level winds that normally blow generally from west to east over the New York City area (known as the westerlies) act as a protector of the city against direct landfalls from coastal storms, including hurricanes. However, the protective westerlies are not always present, or are sometimes tied into a knot and blow from the south or even the southeast. It is at these times that the New York City area is vulnerable to a direct hit from a hurricane. Since hurricanes rarely make it to the latitude that New York City is located at and the westerlies are usually present and strong enough to push storms to the east, statistically, a direct hurricane landfall in New York City a very small probability. An even smaller probability is a direct landfall in New York City by a major Category 3 hurricane, since these monster storms are even rarer than their less powerful cousins and rarely survive the trip to the latitude that New York City is located. But historically, major Category 3 hurricanes have made landfall in or near New York City every 70 to 90 years, with the last Category 3 hurricane impact in the New York City area being the 1938 Long Island Express hurricane that made landfall in western Suffolk County, Long Island, New York. While a very small possibility, New York City could actually take a direct hit from a major Category 3 hurricane.

While this scenario outlines the devastating effects a major Category 3 hurricane making landfall in the New York City area would have, it could apply to any major city along the east coast of the United States from Washington, DC to Boston. However, unlike other major cities on the east coast of the United States, which are protected by land masses that stand between them and the Atlantic ocean, New York City is more susceptible to a major hurricane landfall since it is situated on and very close to the Atlantic Ocean.

How a Major Category 3 Hurricane Would Affect New York City: Hurricane Impacts

Once hurricanes pass North Carolina, they lose the 80 degrees Fahrenheit and warmer water that they require to maintain their strength, and start to slowly dissipate. For a hurricane to strike New York City as a major Category 3 hurricane, the storm must have adequate strength of at least Category 3 when it passes North Carolina and it must be moving quickly at 30 miles per hour or more to make the 450 mile trip from the North Carolina coastal waters to New York City before the hurricane loses its Category 3 strength. While a fast moving hurricane causes a shorter duration of hurricane conditions over a given area, the hurricane effects can be enhanced by the fast movement of the storm, with winds and storm surges more intense, as the fast motion of the storm increases winds on the east side of the storm and build a fast moving wall of water, which is known as the storm surge.

The worst case scenario for New York City, is a fast moving Category 3 hurricane that moves into the city from Atlantic ocean from a south-southeast direction, crossing the boroughs of Brooklyn and Staten Island and then proceeding to move up New York Harbor and the Hudson River and nearby parts of New Jersey, just west of the city. This scenario would put most of New York City, including Manhattan, in the most damaging northeast quadrant of the Category 3 hurricane’s eyewall, with sustained winds between 111 and 130 miles per hour and gusts to over 150 miles per hour. The buildings in the city may even funnel the winds and increase their speeds. Needless to say, winds of this magnitude for any length of time would do major damage to many structures in the city. The streets would be filled with fast moving deadly debris, as windows burst and pieces of buildings are torn off. Perhaps the larger buildings in Manhattan would only suffer blown out windows and some wind and water damage, but many homes and buildings in the surrounding boroughs could sustain serious damage and even roof failures. Wind damage throughout the New York City area, including the suburban areas to the north and west and Long Island to the east, would be considerable. Power would be knocked out for millions of people, perhaps for weeks.

Wind would only be one of the extremely damaging effects a major Category 3 hurricane would have on New York City. An enormous storm surge of 20 feet or more would inundate low lying parts of New York City, including coastal parts of Brooklyn and Queens where JFK and LaGuardia airports are located and lower Manhattan, including the financial district. Many car and train tunnels, including major parts of the New York City subway system, would be flooded with corrosive seawater. Major highways that parallel the water, such as the East Side Drive in Manhattan, would be under water. Low lying buildings and homes in all five boroughs of New York City would be flooded and severely damaged. The wall of seawater would flood low lying parts of New Jersey along the Hudson River and low lying points north of New York City along the banks of the Hudson River (the Hudson is a tidal river all the way to Troy, New York, 160 miles north of the city). Long Island would endure a considerable storm surge, as the winds on the east side of the hurricane hurtle water over the barrier islands and into low lying parts of Long Island.

Inland from New York City, the greatest impacts from a major Category 3 hurricane would be extensive wind damage and excessive rainfall that would result in power outages and flash flooding, and possible river flooding. Even as the hurricane loses strength as it moves inland, the wind damage would be considerable, with many trees and branches knocked down and many buildings damaged. The flooding impacts from the hurricane would depend upon the speed of the storm and whether it slows down at all once it makes its way inland. But even a relatively short duration rainfall event from a fast moving hurricane can drop five to ten inches of rain in a few hours. A major Category 3 hurricane holds more moisture than less powerful hurricanes, and once that moisture starts interacting with the hilly terrain north and west of New York City, rainfall rates could increase with torrential rains filling creeks and rivers, which would cause considerable flooding and damage to roadways and buildings.

The New Jersey coastal areas, especially northern parts of the coastal areas that would be closer to the eye of the hurricane, would see significant impacts from wind, rain, and storm surge. However, the winds along the New Jersey coastal areas would blow out of the west due to their proximity to the center of the storm, which would lessen the impacts of storm surge, and the winds would not be as intense as they would be further north in the New York City area.

After the major Category 3 hurricane has passed, travel in and around New York City would be impossible in many areas, with roads blocked by fallen trees and debris or flooded, and mass transit inoperable. In the days afterwards, major river flooding could ensue inland. It would likely take weeks for mass transit networks to return to a semblance of normalcy. Parts of the New York City subway system may have to be substantially rebuilt, as corrosive seawater damages subway equipment and tunnels. Commuter rail lines may need to have much of their overhead wiring replaced. Roadways would be impacted from fallen trees and flooding that may require major repairs.

12 Interesting & Fun Facts About Portugal

Portugal is a fascinating country with a proud history that can be felt all throughout the country - from its capital, down to each tiny, picture-perfect village. I've been living in Portugal for over a year now and have learned loads of fascinating facts about the charming country, which I’m eager to share with you!

Are you planning on visiting this westernmost country in Europe soon? Or maybe you have Portuguese roots and want to learn more about your ancestors. In any case, below are twelve facts that are bound to impress anyone about Portugal.

1. Half of the "New World" once belonged to Portugal

In 1494, the Treaty of Tordesillas was signed which essentially gave Portugal the eastern half of the "New Word", including Brazil, Africa, and Asia. The Portuguese Empire was actually the first global empire in history! It was also one of the longest-lived colonial powers, lasting for almost six centuries from when Ceuta was captured in 1415, until Macau (now China) was handed-over in 1999. In 1808, the King of Portugal, Dom João moved to Brazil and proclaimed a single state which included Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves. The single state was called the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves, which was effective from 1815-1822. The new capital of the kingdom was Rio de Janeiro. The kingdom was disestablished in 1822 after the King returned to Portugal in 1821, leaving his son, Prince Dom Pedro to rule Brazil who in turn declared independence from Portugal.

Residents of lower Puna on the Big Island can’t wait until Wednesday! It’s the day of the night farmers market at Uncle Robert’s at the south end of the Red Road, near the new Kaimu black sand beach. Uncle Robert Keli'iho'omalu is the legendary and beloved patriarch of the old Kalapana village and his family compound is where the market is located. Normally it’s a quiet neighborhood of quaint beach shacks and lush coconut groves, but on Wednesday night, it transforms into a huge open air market with some 700-800 people showing up for fresh produce, tasty food and live music entertainment. It’s a lively market, with wonderful sound, sight and smell - and lots of friendly aloha spirit - for the entire community.

Source: By AEMoreira042281, CC-BY-SA-3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Quest for a Cheap Mode of Transporation from NYC to DC

I recently started working in DC but with my boyfriend, friends and family in NYC, I find myself going up to the city that never sleeps nearly every weekend. I quickly realized that my weekly trips to and from New York can quickly burn my budget if I use conventional modes of transportation such as car or train so I needed another cheap alternative ASAP. Thankfully, I found the Chinatown bus.

I've taken several different low cost buses between New York and Washington, DC since August, including the Eastern Shuttle, Mega Bus, Bolt, and the Washington Deluxe and of those, the Eastern Shuttle has become my bus of choice. Keep reading to find out the reason why, pros and cons of this bus service, and some tips.

Unique Rock Formations as Tourists Attractions

Nature is great and humans enjoy natural resources in different forms. It may be mighty mountains, roaring waterfalls, thick forests, changes in weather or beautiful beaches, we all yearn to spend some time with nature. Tourists have often been attracted by rocks which look unique. The uniqueness of rocks may lie in their shapes, components, locations and beautiful landscapes they represent. Many rocks are huge and viewing them is breath-taking. Many of these are ancient occurrences and their beauty is amazing and energising. This Hub is an endeavour to showcase 20 most incredible rocks attracting tourists in different parts of the world. "On earth there is no heaven, but there are pieces of it." - Jules Renard

#1. Aphrodite Rocks, Cyprus

Source: Wikimedia Commons - Photo credit: Bartcockx (Public Domain)

Monks walking through the Pongua falls in Vietnam

Source: http://bbcicecream.com

Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria, Germany

Source: http://theamazingpics.com

I am very fond of beautiful things. I always capture beautiful places, beautiful faces and buy beautiful things within my means. Nature has always been my subject because nothing and no one can ever compare to the beauty of nature. There are so many amazing things in the world that really exist and that which are not easily captured. So many places that we thought only exist in fairy tale books and fantasies...Some are bizarre, some are exotic,most are magical and beautiful, others are horrifying and a good portion are awe-inspiring...Well not anymore because this hub will show you that mystic and magical places do exist in real life...And once again, I would like to believe that dreams are fragments of reality.

Should I Go on This Cruise?

You love to travel and a sea cruise sounds fun. But you don't gamble and hates the idea of sitting by the pool all day long.

You looked around and the Star Cruises Superstar Libra 4D3N Penang-Phuket-Krabi-Penang cruise looks affordable. But you are not sure if it will be worth going.

Don't worry. I was on this trip before and I will share with you my experience. I will list out the activities and entertainment that are free that you can take part. These will keep you occupied right into the wee hours of the night. Free, because it is already included in your cruise fare and you don't have to pay a single cent more. There are also activities that you have to pay such as the spa and adult show etc. I will cover this in a separate article.

For now, let's check out the free activities.

Superstar Libra Cruise Ship

Clockwise from top left: Royal guard at Gyeongbokgung Palace, Jogyesa Temple, One Pillar Gate, Gyeonghoeru lake pavilion, Korean cuisine, Insadong Street storefronts

You’ve just arrived at one of the busiest airports in the world: Incheon International Airport, South Korea. It’s only 6:50 in the morning. Your connecting flight is at 8:00 this evening. What to do the next 13 hours? You’ve never been to Seoul before, why not take this opportunity to get out of the airport and do some sightseeing? To make it easier, Incheon International Airport offers Free Transit Tours – guided tours to visit some of the most popular tourist destinations in Seoul – specifically geared toward travelers with long airport layover. There are several tour options, varying from 1 to 5 hours, and you can book a tour at any of the Transit Tour Desks located inside the airport.

The Night Bazaar of Chiang Mai, Thailand

Thailand's northern city of Chiang Mai has many shopping areas throughout the city. The best known to tourists is the Night Bazaar, mainly because it's featured in every guide book about Thailand sold worldwide. It's actually composed of two independent Bazaars across the road from each other: Chiang Mai Night Bazaar and Kalare Night Bazaar, but it's always considered singly as 'The Night Bazaar". It's very much a tourist venue with tourist prices, and the only Thais you're likely to see here are those who work at the Night Bazaar.

Chiang Mai Night Bazaar

Source: chasmac

8 Free Things to Do in Tokyo on a Rainy Day

Rainy days in Tokyo can be boring, but we got you covered.

view of Tokyo at night from the Shinjuku Government building

Source: 木更津乃風, CC- BY, via Wikicommons

Frugal Fun for Families in Georgia

If you are on a budget, you can still have a lot of fun and experience many of the hidden treasures of the great state of Georgia. All of the ideas that are included in this article are free to experience. However, there will be times where you may want to upgrade your visit or contribute a donation so that these venues will be available to many other families for years to come. These instances are noted in each of the special considerations. Enjoy!

1) Georgia Museum of Art

A young artist uses a palette to create vivid works of art.

Source: Image courtesy of phanlop88 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

This is the view from my hotel in Luanda. See the little strip of land across the water? There are little homes there which people take boats to get to daily and some even walk across since it's shallow

Source: Anna (Global-Chica)

"How about we move to Angola for a few months?", asked my boyfriend after getting an assignment there in early January. I jumped at the opportunity to live for a short time in Africa and after all, an emerging and exciting country at that. I couldn't imagine a better time for me to live abroad than during the time that I was writing my Master's Thesis. At the end, a few months turned into eight months as an expat living in Angola and here I am, sharing my experience with you!

I have mixed feelings about being an American expat in Luanda, Angola. I realize that I lived in the city during a very transient time. The civil war that tore the country apart right after the war for independence from Portugal had just ended a decade earlier. The bullet holes in building in the city center haven't been mended yet and the millions of landmines that litter the countryside haven't been deactivated yet. The country though is optimistic and in it's favor, it's rich in natural resources. Hungry for Western expertise, expats are flocking from places like Portugal, Brazil, and oil experts from Texas. There are lots of opportunities and corporations are eager to get a piece of it. And that’s what brought me to Sub-Saran Africa. My boyfriend works for an international corporation and was asked to work on an assignment there and I agreed to come along since I had the opportunity to as I was in the second year of my Masters and needed to research and complete my Master’s Thesis.

During our first week, we stayed at Hotel Baia. While my boyfriend would go to work, I spent my days e-mailing my Thesis Supervisor for reading material, reading academic articles about corporate sustainability, Facetiming my friends and family, working out at the rooftop gym with an amazing view (and a personal trainer), looking out the window and contemplating going outside. I seemed to be the only ‘significant other’ at the hotel as I only saw men in suits (assumingly) talking on the phone or in front of their laptops. I practiced my Portuguese with the personal trainer at the gym who I had all to myself and the waitors as I ordered my $5 Coca-cocals and $27 burgers. I got the courage to go outside for a run once along the water but turned back after about ten minutes of tolerating the stench from the water and humidity. One day as I looked out the window, I didn’t quite understand what was going on because I just saw trucks driving by filled with furniture and various what looks like personal objects. I asked my boyfriend about it that night and he said it was people getting ‘relocated from the ‘mussulos’ nearby. After a week at the Baha, we moved into the newly opened Epic Sana.

Epic Sana is a gorgeous hotel which I called home for the rest of my time in Luanda. It has three restaurants, an indoor and outside pool, a sauna, gym, etc. The 20 floor hotel was my home and I was confined to the vertical space, going from my hotel room to the restaurant, lounge area and pool. When I needed to go somewhere, we’d call one of our two drivers During following months in Angola, I contacted multiple organizations and the embassy to see if I can volunteer somewhere but apparently no efforts were going on in Luana. I wanted to organize a beach clean up but it couldn’t find anyone to join my effort. So my life was confined to the hotel and going to restaurants for dinner.

Luanda, Angola is a very unusual place, to say the least. Just last year, it was considered the most expensive city in the world, yet it's filled with poverty and is too dangerous to wander around alone (I learned this the hard way after getting mugged in broad daylight). We lived in a hotel in the city center where daily rates are pricier than the most trendy hotel in New York City, but the surroundings confine me to the hotel or getting a driver in order to even take a step outside.

As you read this, please don't take offense because I don't intend to offend anyone but just to share my personal experience.

The Colosseum

Source: Bill DeGiulio

I’m pretty sure I could come up with at least a hundred different reasons my one should visit Italy. This is not a difficult list to come up with, and for the sake of space and brevity I limited the list to ten really good reasons to visit.

It seems as though visiting Italy is a bucket list entry for a lot of folks and my job here is to convince you to go so you can cross this one off of your list. Italy certainly does have much to offer; great cities, ancient ruins, wonderful museums, soaring mountains, great beaches, and beautiful natural scenery. But so does any number of other European countries, so we need uncover what makes Italy so unique and worthy of your hard earned dollars.

4D3N Penang-Phuket-Krabi Cruise Ship Vacation

Sail Date: September, 28th - October 1st, 2014

I have always dreamed of going on a cruise ship. I want to enjoy the sounds and scenes of the ocean. See the sunset over shimmering blue horizon. Or simply relax and enjoy the fun and excitement of the sea cruise.

Recently, that dream finally comes true. Unfortunately, it was not on the spectacular Queen Mary 2.

It was on the Star Cruise Superstar Libra 4D3N Penang-Phuket-Krabi vacation. The ship was recently refurbished and it was like being in a brand new ship. So it wasn't that bad.

Now, if you are thinking of doing the same thing, read here for my tips and comments. With any luck, you will soon know what to do and what not to do on this cruise.

Star Cruise SuperStar Libra Cruise Ship

Source: greatstuff

Star Cruises Superstar Libra Shore Excursion to Krabi on the 4D3N Penang Phuket Krabi Cruise Package

If you missed out on the island tour during the shore excursion in Phuket, then you must do it in Krabi.

Krabi is not only famous for its cave temples and national parks, but is also the gateway to several exotic and beautiful islands, perfect for diving and snorkeling.

Krabi is a great destination for snorkeling and diving

The Notre Dame Cathedral of Bayeux

Source: Bill DeGiulio

If you are planning a visit to the D-Day beaches along the coast of Normandy you will have a few options available to you for how to go about it. Many visitors simply make a daytrip from Paris on the train. This involves taking an early departure from Paris to either Caen or Bayeux, having your tour guide meet you at the train station, and reversing the entire process at the end of the day. While this is certainly doable, it makes for a very long and tiring day. The train from Paris to Bayeux is over two hours. While there are a few direct trains to Bayeux most of the early departures require a transfer in Caen. Check the train schedule as it changes depending on the time of year.

The picture-perfect town of Hallstatt in Austria

Source: Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Who said that vacations need to involve beach and sun? Some European destinations are best explored in the chill of winter.

Winters in Europe can be magical. Snow covered monuments have their own charm. It's less crowded and not as expensive.

With the five destinations listed below, you'll find exactly what you're looking for, whether it's Northern Lights, reindeer sledding, a Santa village, major landmarks, fun, skiing, or just some peace and quite in a tiny picture-perfect town.

Which type of winter destination do you prefer?

Mt Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples from the hills above Sorrento.

Source: Bill DeGiulio

Just across the Bay from Naples lies the Sorrentine Peninsula, perhaps the most beautiful stretch of coastline anywhere in the world. With its beautiful location on the north coast of the peninsula, the small community of Sorrento is perfectly situated looking out over the Bay of Naples, Mount Vesuvius, and the Isle of Capri. It is hard to imagine a more perfect setting than this.

A Great Way to See the Highlights of the Park

The first national park east of the Mississippi River, Acadia National Park (ANP) in Maine is one of the top 10 most visited national parks. On the east coast, it is second only to Smokey Mountain National Park in attendance. Spread out on Mount Desert Island (MDI), Schoodic Peninsula, and Isle-Au-Haut, the majority of the tourists visit MDI.

These are 6 kid-friendly fun and easy hikes in and around Acadia National Park. Enjoy the hikes, the nearby attractions and you will have hit many of the highlights of the area.

While not handicapped accessible, the hikes are suitable for hikers of almost every ability. Adults requiring assistance with walking may not be able to use every trail, but most of these trails will easily accommodate a stroller.

The Beautiful Stanley Park Rose Garden in Vancouver BC

Visiting Stanley Park is a highlight of a trip to Vancouver, British Columbia. The park is a 988 acre oasis of coastal rainforest and green areas right next to downtown and the ocean. Much of the landscape consists of forest, but there are also large lawns, flower gardens, a lagoon, a lake and beaches. One of my favorite areas is a beautiful rose garden, which I love to photograph.

Stanley Park is located on a peninsula that extends into Burrard Inlet. A path travels along the seawall around the perimeter of the park. Walkers, runners, cyclists and inline skaters enjoy travelling on this very popular path. There are also trails through the forest.

The park offers many different activities and contains many interesting tourist attractions, including the Vancouver Aquarium. The area is a wonderful destination for photographers, naturalists, tourists, local families and everyone else. It's my favorite place to visit in Vancouver.

There is so much to see in Stanley Park that it would take many articles to describe the area completely. For this article I've chosen to focus on the lovely rose garden and its nearby surroundings.

The Rose Garden

The Stanley Park rose garden was established in 1920 by the Kiwanis Club, a service orgnization. It contains over 3,500 rose bushes, which are arranged in flower beds and also climb over an arbor. Other cultivated plants and flowers surround the rose garden.

The rose garden is divided into two sections, which are located on either side of a road. One of the joys of entering the garden is the glorious splash of colors that appears. The other is the beautiful fragrance that is carried on the breeze.

The flower beds are surrounded by a lawn. Visitors can walk on the grass so that they can get a close-up view of the roses and other flowers. The roses bloom in summer, but there are also colorful flowers to see in the spring and fall.

The rose garden is a popular place for summer wedding photographs. In fact, almost every time that I visit the garden in summer I see a bride in her beautiful white gown.

In winter there isn't as much color in the garden, but the beautiful evergreen shrubs and trees make the garden a pleasant place to visit. Winter has its own attractions in Stanley Park, including the presence of a wide variety of water birds.

The Best Things About Living In Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo is the most well-known city in Asia, and one of the biggest cities in the world. Clocking in at over 13 million people, this Japanese district is an icon in both history and pop culture. It's a popular vacation spot for Westerners, but some Westerners go further than that. With Japan ranking the third biggest economy in the world, Tokyo is a commercial metropolis, and the number of immigrants and foreigners living there continues to go. So, from a western (in my case, American) viewpoint, what makes Tokyo a great place to live?

1. Tokyo is surprisingly clean. Whether Japanese people tend to litter less, or janitors simply work efficiently, you will be shocked at how free of trash and graffiti Tokyo is compared to many other big cities. People are encouraged to keep their garbage with them and throw it out at home - not too hard to do when there are few public trash cans.

2. For what garbage there is, people recycle. Most public trash bin areas are divided into cans, plastics, non-combustibles and combustibles, and recycling becomes easy even for the lazy. If you live in Japan, you will also be required to recycle, and must keep an eye on the garbage collection schedule - combustibles on Tuesdays and Fridays, maybe, PET bottles on Wednesday, and so on. Trying to figure out what bin your old toothbrush or used can of hairspray goes in can be a pain, but you'll feel much better about your waste when you take the step to be greener.

3. Public transportation is excellent. Trains and buses are usually the vehicle of choice. Some train lines run every four minutes or less. And the trains go about everywhere! The Yamanote line circles around most of Tokyo's most popular spots, like Shinjuku, Shibuya, Harajuku and Akihabara. The Chuo line will take you through the whole prefecture (and then some). Buses usually come within a minute or two of the designated time. There are few advantages to having a car in Tokyo, when you can use public transportation so easily.

4. Even in busy Tokyo, there are shrines and temples everywhere. The religious spots of Shinto and Buddhism, and they are best suited in secluded nature areas. It's amazing what you can find down a small alleyway in the middle of big city areas. One famous shrine, Meiji-Jingu, is in the heart of noise Harajuku, but once you take a walk in the forested park to get there, you might think you were in the middle of the country. Tiny shrines can also be found next to convenience stores, hidden between apartment buildings, almost anywhere.

KLIA2: View of the Main Terminal Building from the Satellite Building with the 300m Sky Bridge on the left

Source: malaysia airports holding

KLIA2, Too Much Walking

KLIA2, the new low cost terminal that replaced the old LCCT, started operations on May 2nd, 2014 and designed to handle up to 45 million passengers a year. Measuring almost 2.76m sq. ft. (257,000 sq. m), which is about the size of 24 football fields, it is currently the world's largest purpose-built terminal for budget and low cost carriers. Hence, expect to do a lot of walking.

With several different floor levels depending on whether you arrived through the main entrance, or by bus, taxi or the express train; you will be walking up and down ramps, stairs, and escalators. Likewise when you arrived by plane, you will be walking up the sloped ramp from the plane to the terminal building, and up and down the escalators.

Montauk Point Light sits on the easternmost point of Long Island

My friend insisted that the same island which held Brooklyn and Queens had remote and sunny beaches and a romantic, windswept lighthouse on its opposite side. I said that was crazy.

“If there’s a romantic lighthouse on Long Island,” I said, “it’s an abandoned smokestack with a cell phone tower planted on top of it.”

My friend then assumed a look of defiant determination.

“If I’m right,” she told me, “I want you to promise to kiss my….”

“I’ll kiss it,” I said before she even finished the sentence. Of course I knew I wouldn’t be kissing anything. It didn’t matter what sort of creative anatomical ending she put there. My lips were safe with me.

At LaGuardia airport a clerk at a cheap rental car counter took thirty minutes to locate a car. Then there was a fire across the street on 23^rd Avenue and several buildings were quickly turning into piles of ash. The road was shut down and news of a massive wreck on the Long Island Expressway necessitated a long head-scratching study of the maps on my phone. I turned on several avenues in Queens until I came to an expressway that actually had moving traffic on it, and I moved in exactly the opposite direction from the one I needed to go in until traffic came to a standstill. A highway overpass had been shut down and there were sirens. Apparently a body had just been chucked out of the side of a van, over the bridge and gotten splattered on several windshields.

“I won’t be kissing anything any time soon,” I informed my defeated friend.

Rugged but beautiful mountains at Wadi al Jinn in Madinah Magnetic Hills

Source: greatstuff

Mysterious Spot in Madinah

During my recent trip to Madinah, Saudi Arabia, the tour guide informed us that we would be taken to this mysterious spot where water can flow uphill. Even vehicle put on neutral gear can travel uphill.

I have never seen these before and it sound exciting. The basic laws of science and gravity that I know do not support these claims, so I looked forward to the trip.

I found out later, phenomenon like this is not only unique to Madinah, Saudi Arabia, but in many places all over the world (see the listing below). It is also known by various names; Magnet Hill, Magnetic Hill, Magnet Mountain, Gravity Hill, Mysterious Spot and Mystery Hill.

The world's largest spruce tree is one of the best kept secrets of the Quinault Rainforest in western Washington.

Source: Copyright: Becca Young

There's Something For Everyone In Western Washington

Being a western Washington native myself, I have to admit that I'm a little bias and truly believe that it is one of the most beautiful places on earth, but even if you aren't the outdoorsy type, you won't be disappointed by all the exciting activities that western Washington has to offer.

Having moved away, I love to go back and pretend to be a tourist from time to time. Sometimes I visit some of my favorite places from my childhood, and a lot of times I like to check out something totally new.

This is a list of some of my favorite adventures as well as some that I haven't tried yet. I hope that it will be useful to you.

I've included links to informational websites for as many of these places and activities as possible to make this list more user friendly.

In order to make this list a little bit easier to navigate, I'll give you an idea of what order the activities and locations will be listed in to get you started. some of these categories do overlap a little bit. For example, the list of waterfalls may include some hiking.

Also, I've included the locations where these activities can be found to make planning a little bit easier for you.

Hiking (1-26)
Puget Sound Beaches (27-33)
Ocean Beaches (34-40)
Waterfalls (41-51)
Caves (52)
Mountain Biking (53-63)
Animals and Wildlife (64-71)
Sports (72-78)
Seattle Tourist Attractions (79-87)
Museums (88-105)
Ferries, Cruises, Water Adventures (106-111)

I hope this list will be useful to you. Now go out there and enjoy all of the awesomeness that western Washington has to offer!

If you have been to some of these places, I'd love for you to vote on some of my polls about which places and activities are the best. That way other people who read this hub can easily figure out which tourist attractions are the tried and true favorites.

Thanks for your help!

The Things I will Miss and Not Miss about Living in Argentina

I came to the southernmost country of South America in February 2010 and lived in Argentina for three years. Being German and used to things being organized, on time and regulated, it was not easy, not easy at all. But I remember I was yearning for an adventure in 2010. I wanted to escape the rainy everyday life in Germany and the moodiness of the people. I wanted to be in a warm, friendly country where I could be somebody else and become somebody else. I did become somebody else indeed. And I learned to appreciate my home country and everything we have which I was complaining about before.

Unlike most foreigners, I don’t live in the capital of Buenos Aires. I live in the province of Gran Buenos Aires and I can tell you the differences are extraordinary. The province of Buenos Aires is nothing like the capital. It is like two worlds co-existing next to each other. The Americans and Europeans coming to Argentina don't cross the borders of the capital. There are basically no Germans or any other foreigners living in the province. According to native Argentineans living in the capital, the province is an extremely dangerous place and should be avoided at all times. Frankly, nothing has ever happened to me in the province apart from an ATM swallowing my money. They money was debited from my German bank account although there had been no payout. I am still trying to solve that issue with my bank but I am pretty sure I will not get my money back. Apart from this issue, I have been safe though (Knock on wood!). The thing is I don’t like big cities. This is why I decided to live in the province of Buenos Aires after suffering 4 months in Palermo, which is an expensive neighborhood in downtown Buenos Aires. I could hear ambulances at night and I had trouble sleeping. I think it is a good thing that I don't like big cities though, otherwise I would never have come to know Argentina the way I did. After having lived in the province for more than 2 years, I really got to know life in the land of the Gauchos. I was not enjoying the nice pubs and bars in Palermo and hanging out in Recoleta and Puerto Madero and the top tourist locations of Buenos Aires. I was living in a real Argentina province, where tourists don't dare to go.

Outdoor Sport 80L Waterproof Travel Hiking Camping Luggage Backpack Rucksack Bag

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Source: Maks Karochkin

I've always known that my country, the Philippines, is a piece of paradise on earth. But it was only a few years ago when I started working and earning my own money that I realized that my home country is truly unlike any other place. The more I traveled, the more I discovered the beauty of the Philippines.

The Philippines is made up of 7,107 islands (only 2000 are inhabited), each one offering a rich biodiversity ranging from tropical rain forests, mangroves, and coral reefs to mountain ranges, world-class beaches, beautiful islands and a diverse range of flora and fauna. Conservation International identified it as one of 17 megadiverse countries in 1998.

The country also offers one of the longest white sand coastlines in the world, one of its many tourist attractions. So, if you’re looking for a tropical getaway and still don’t have a destination in mind, odds are you’ll find something you like in the Philippines.

Here is my list of the Philippines' best beaches.

Do You Have to Pay for Activities On a Cruise?

Your cruise fare is inclusive of all major expenses; room, entertainment, activities and meals. But there are also items that are optional and not included in the cruise fare.

These items can quickly add up to your vacation expenditures. If you are on a budget, get to know these incidental costs and set aside some money for it. Or just stick to the all-inclusive items only.

Not all facilities are all inclusive in your Star Cruises Superstar Libra cruise fare

Source: greatstuff

Source: (c) davitydave / Flickr

You're on a long-haul flight. The meal is over. The lights are being dimmed for those wishing to sleep or watch the in-flight entertainment. You begin to think about that drive on unfamiliar roads in a foreign country at the end of your journey. Or maybe you start to worry about that morning meeting where you need to be as sharp as possible. A little music to relax you would be nice. A spell of sleep would be even better. If only you had some way of blocking out the roar of the engines and the chatter of the other passengers.

Your thoughts turn to those noise-canceling headphones you saw earlier in the duty-free shop. What exactly are they? Do they actually work? Are they really worth the high price? Should you get a set for the return flight?

Timeshare presentations use dreamy vacation images to convince people to buy.

Source: Pixabay

A timeshare is a method of owning a vacation property that is shared with others. Timeshare organizations such as Wyndham or Westgate make a profit by selling credits or points that hold a value in using a time share in the future. These points allow the time share holder to schedule a vacation at certain time share locations.

Lexington, Kentucky is bursting with activity and things to do in the summer. People come out in droves for free movies, free concerts, and a variety of events and festivals around town. The cold weather is gone and the kids are out of school, so many residents are looking to spend time outdoors. Some residents plan summer weekend trips to Kings Island in Mason, Ohio and Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana, but most residents know that enjoying the summer in Lexington can be just as fun if you know where to go

Source: Kentucky.com

Summers can really heat up in Lexington, Kentucky. As the sun beats down on the city, residents often look for ways to cool off and beat the scorching heat. What better way to do so than to take a swim. Luckily, Lexington, Kentucky is in no short supply when it comes to pools open to the public. Even still, there are several private pools across the city to buy a membership to, as well.

Hidden Pinyon Trail

Source: Copyright: Becca Young

There's an Adventure for Everyone in Utah

Each year that I spend living in Utah I discover new places and fun adventures that I've never experienced before. I'm always looking for more fun things to do on a day off or even for a few days during the summer.

I've spent a lot of time researching popular destinations and activities in Utah, and I thought that it would be nice to share the fruits of my labor with the rest of the world so that there is a place where people can find a lot of ideas in one spot instead of having to hop all over the web trying to find something to do.

This is a list of some of my favorite Utah adventures as well as some that I've heard are popular that I haven't personally tried yet. I hope that it will be useful to you.

I've included links to informational websites for as many of these places and activities as possible to make this list more user friendly.

Also, as you get into the meat of my hub, you will notice that I've included the locations where these activities can be found to make planning a little bit easier for you.

In order to make this list a little bit easier to navigate, I'll give you an idea of what order the activities will be listed in.

Some of the categories overlap a bit. For example, a lot of caves and waterfalls require a bit of a hike to get to them, so you might want to keep that in mind.

Hikes 1-20
Canyoneering 21-34
Caves 35-38
Mountain Biking 39-50
Waterfalls 51-63
Swimming Beaches 64-70
White Water Rafting 71-75
Skiing/Snowboarding 76-86
Zip Lining 87-92
Outdoor Theaters 93-100
FREE splash pads 101-113
Museums 114-121
Things to do in Salt Lake 122-130
Animal Adventures 131-136
Sports 137-140

I hope this list will be useful to you. Now go out there and enjoy all of the awesomeness that Utah has to offer!

Thanks for your help!

How To Choose Noise-Canceling Headphones

Source: (c) davitydave / Flickr

Swimming

Lexington has so many affordable options when it comes to swimming each summer. There are several family aquatic centers, neighborhood pools, swim lessons, and swim teams to choose from. Daily admission ranges from $3 to $5 depending upon age and location. Swim lessons for children are only $25.00. Youth swim team registration is only $35.00, which is cheaper than other sports team fees. Swimming is the number one way residents, young and old, in Lexington choose to beat the heat each summer.

City Parks

Residents enjoy spending time at several city parks within the Lexington city limits. With 104 city parks to choose from, there is a city park within walking distance from almost every neighborhood. Depending upon the park, there are various amenities to choose from. Some of these include paved walking trails, playgrounds, swimming, fishing, paddle boats, dog parks, open fields, horse shoes, baseball, basketball, volleyball, tennis, golf, restrooms, and so much more. Some of the more popular parks residents enjoy include Jacobson Park, Kirklevington Park, Shillito Park, Southland Park, Veterans Park, and Woodland Park.

Thursday Night Live Concerts

Every Thursday evening, from April to October, residents head down to the Fifth Third Bank Pavilion in Cheapside Park to enjoy live music.It is free to attend this event each week.Thursday Night Live last from 4:30pm to 7:30pm. Worried about missing dinner? No problem. There are several food and beverage booths available to satisfy any hunger after a long day of work. For more information on the current band lineup, be sure to visit the event's website.

Click thumbnail to view full-size

Thursday Night Live

Source: Downtown LEX

Free Movies in Triangle Park

Fountain Films, as it is more commonly called, is where residents can bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit back and enjoy a free movie in Triangle Park. These free movies in Triangle Park take place on selected Fridays throughout the summer. Movies start around 8:45pm. What movie would be complete without refreshments? There will be vendors on hand for residents to purchase drinks, popcorn, and other snacks to eat while enjoying the movie. For an updated list of dates and scheduled movies, visit the Fountain Films website.

Lexington Legends

Lexington, Kentucky is known for UK basketball but during the summer they are also home to the Lexington Legends minor league baseball team. Affiliated with the Houston Astros, residents spend many summer nights enjoying one of the Lexington Legends' baseball games. Ticket prices range from $4.00 to $23.00 depending on your preferred seating. Check the website for game schedule, special promotions, giveaways, and fireworks schedule.

Keeneland

Just because the Kentucky Derby is over, doesn't mean the horse racing industry takes a break. If you are an early riser, consider heading over to Keenland watch the horses train. It is free admission from 6:00am to 10:00am. Also, check out special events during the summer months. For an up to date list of special events, be sure to visit their website.

Kentucky Horse Park

The Kentucky Horse Park has a variety of events and activities to offer year round, but during the summer months the Kentucky Horse Park is the place to be for family fun and horse enthusiasts. Aside from being home to the Kentucky Horse Museum, the Kentucky Horse Park offers camping, horseback riding, farm tours, and horse-drawn tours. There are also several events and festivals that happen throughout the summer, such as the Festival of the Bluegrass in June, and Breyerfest in July. Among these events include horse shows, horse jumping competitions, and much more. For more information on upcoming events, check out the Kentucky Horse Park website.

Summer Events and Festivals

In addition to things to do on an everyday to every week basis, there are a variety of events and festivals across the city throughout the summer. Some of these include Cosmic Invasion, Festival of the Bluegrass, Woodland Arts Festival, Big Bands and Jazz, Southland Jamboree, and so much more. To learn more about these events and others scheduled this summer visit this website.

Lexington, Kentucky is always busting at the seams with activities for the whole family. Summer is a great time to enjoy what Lexington has to offer with family and friends. With so many activities and events available throughout the summer in Lexington, who has time to plan a vacation somewhere else?

Tuesday 26 May 2015

Top 5 Cities to Visit in Central / North Portugal - Road Trip Itinerary

First time climbing the Tree? Here's the beta.

Welcome To Joshua Tree - Start Your Trip Here

Do You Have to do Shore Excursions on a Cruise?

The decision to travel

Where to go?

Visiting Ek Balam Through the Years

The 21st Century "City of Lights"

Vegas Architecture Pushes The Limits In Design

My Favorite Things to Do in Venice

Monday 25 May 2015

Life in the Palm Beaches: Folklore, History, and Tourism

The Witch's Castle, Also Called The Witch's Wall

Native Hawaiians are a race of people

Air Asia Meals on AK Flights

Food on AirAsia AK Flights

My Three Year Expat Anniversary

White Stork, Emblem of Alsace

A Room with a View

Welcome to the "Other" Washington

The Simple Facts

How a Major Category 3 Hurricane Would Affect New York City: Hurricane Impacts

1. Half of the "New World" once belonged to Portugal

Quest for a Cheap Mode of Transporation from NYC to DC

Unique Rock Formations as Tourists Attractions

#1. Aphrodite Rocks, Cyprus

Should I Go on This Cruise?

Frugal Fun for Families in Georgia

1) Georgia Museum of Art

4D3N Penang-Phuket-Krabi Cruise Ship Vacation

Sunday 24 May 2015

A Great Way to See the Highlights of the Park

The Rose Garden

KLIA2, Too Much Walking

Mysterious Spot in Madinah

There's Something For Everyone In Western Washington

Do You Have to Pay for Activities On a Cruise?

There's an Adventure for Everyone in Utah

Saturday 23 May 2015

Swimming

City Parks

Thursday Night Live Concerts

Free Movies in Triangle Park

Lexington Legends

Keeneland

Kentucky Horse Park

Summer Events and Festivals

Lexington, Kentucky