Archive for June, 2007
Safety Tips for Budget Travelers in Foreign Countries
Stuart S. Travel asked:
There are many things to keep in mind when traveling, whether you are a budget traveler or not. You obviously want to keep what money you have for your trip rather than lose it or have it stolen. You also want to keep yourself and traveling companions safe from harm. Here are some tips to follow to ensure your trip is safe and enjoyable in a foreign country.
1. Have a valid passport and all visas required for your trip. Make two copies of your passport. Keep one in a separate part of your travel luggage and the other leave with someone at home.
2. Be aware of any travel warnings for the country you are visiting. Find out about security and safety conditions in your destination.
3. Secure travel insurance!
4. Ensure you have been vaccinated against any infectious diseases prominent in the area you will be traveling to.
5. To make sure you can be contacted in case of an emergency, make a copy of your itinerary and leave it with someone at home.
6. Travel light and don’t pack valuables that you wouldn’t want to lose. Leave your jewelry at home but take an extra pair of glasses if you can’t live without them.
7. Remember you are a foreigner when you travel. You are a guest in their country and therefore should abide by their laws, and to a certain extent, their customs. For example, if you are a female traveling in an Islamic state, be considerate of your dress.
8. Try not to bring too much attention to yourself when traveling. Don’t go out looking like a tourist with a flashy camera and expensive clothes. Try to blend into the scenery.
9. Travel in a group where possible and in well known areas. There will be times you want to get off the tourist track, so make sure you always have a traveling companion with you.
10. Only carry small amounts of cash on you. Your credit card and travelers checks will pay for most things.
11. Watch out for pickpockets! Wear a money belt and keep your purse/wallet in the front of your body. Report any loss or theft immediately to the local authorities.
12. Don’t leave your luggage unattended. Apart from having it stolen or items from it taken, you could also become an unsuspecting drug courier.
13. If traveling with a partner, pack half your clothes in their luggage and vice versa. This way if one of you loses your luggage, you will still have some clothes.
14. Lock your luggage and label everything.
15. Lock your hotel room. Keep money and valuables with you, not left unattended in your room.
16. When using public transport be aware of possible theft. If you are traveling overnight, secure your luggage and sleep on top of it if possible. It is not uncommon for tourists to be drugged while on trains and buses so don’t accept gifts of food or drink from strangers on public transport.
If at any time you feel unsafe, whether it is on the streets or in your accommodation, get out. Follow your instincts. Stay safe when you travel by being aware of the dangers and obeying the laws of the country you are visiting.
This article is brought to you by: Stuart S. Travel – Your Online Travel Guru
www.stuartstravel.com
There are many things to keep in mind when traveling, whether you are a budget traveler or not. You obviously want to keep what money you have for your trip rather than lose it or have it stolen. You also want to keep yourself and traveling companions safe from harm. Here are some tips to follow to ensure your trip is safe and enjoyable in a foreign country.
1. Have a valid passport and all visas required for your trip. Make two copies of your passport. Keep one in a separate part of your travel luggage and the other leave with someone at home.
2. Be aware of any travel warnings for the country you are visiting. Find out about security and safety conditions in your destination.
3. Secure travel insurance!
4. Ensure you have been vaccinated against any infectious diseases prominent in the area you will be traveling to.
5. To make sure you can be contacted in case of an emergency, make a copy of your itinerary and leave it with someone at home.
6. Travel light and don’t pack valuables that you wouldn’t want to lose. Leave your jewelry at home but take an extra pair of glasses if you can’t live without them.
7. Remember you are a foreigner when you travel. You are a guest in their country and therefore should abide by their laws, and to a certain extent, their customs. For example, if you are a female traveling in an Islamic state, be considerate of your dress.
8. Try not to bring too much attention to yourself when traveling. Don’t go out looking like a tourist with a flashy camera and expensive clothes. Try to blend into the scenery.
9. Travel in a group where possible and in well known areas. There will be times you want to get off the tourist track, so make sure you always have a traveling companion with you.
10. Only carry small amounts of cash on you. Your credit card and travelers checks will pay for most things.
11. Watch out for pickpockets! Wear a money belt and keep your purse/wallet in the front of your body. Report any loss or theft immediately to the local authorities.
12. Don’t leave your luggage unattended. Apart from having it stolen or items from it taken, you could also become an unsuspecting drug courier.
13. If traveling with a partner, pack half your clothes in their luggage and vice versa. This way if one of you loses your luggage, you will still have some clothes.
14. Lock your luggage and label everything.
15. Lock your hotel room. Keep money and valuables with you, not left unattended in your room.
16. When using public transport be aware of possible theft. If you are traveling overnight, secure your luggage and sleep on top of it if possible. It is not uncommon for tourists to be drugged while on trains and buses so don’t accept gifts of food or drink from strangers on public transport.
If at any time you feel unsafe, whether it is on the streets or in your accommodation, get out. Follow your instincts. Stay safe when you travel by being aware of the dangers and obeying the laws of the country you are visiting.
This article is brought to you by: Stuart S. Travel – Your Online Travel Guru
www.stuartstravel.com
Airplane Safety When Traveling With Babies or Toddlers
Caroline Miller asked:
Traveling with an infant doesn’t have to be the stuff of nightmares. You don’t have to be the mom or dad that everybody glares at mid air, when your child is throwing a tantrum. Flying with a baby requires a lot more planning and foresight than flying with preschoolers or older kids. Plan accordingly, make sure your carry on luggage includes a few essentials and you can have a relatively hassle free flight without going hysterical.
First, take your car seat along. The American Academy of Pediatric recommends that children below the age of 2 years be strapped to a child seat on flight. This makes it easier for you, because you won’t be left holding the baby uncomfortably on your lap. Your baby is also likely to feel more comfortable in a familiar car seat, and therefore less cranky. Remember to book your child’s eat in advance, and take care of seating assignments. Car seats are normally allowed for window seats, or at the center of a row in between aisles.
If you balk at the thought of purchasing another ticket for your baby, remember some parents will give you a free seat for your baby during off season times when planes tend to be not so full. While making reservations, confirm with your travel agent that the airline is open to giving you an available free seat for your baby.
Some airlines will also allow you to book a baby bassinet or cot, although your child will have to be lesser than 8 months old to take advantage of this.
Your carry on bag should contain disposable bibs for meal times, a bowl and spoon, and feeding bottles. Make sure you take along a small tin of baby food – although crew might offer you baby food, it might not be the one you’re baby’s used to eating. Take along a bottle of pre boiled water which you can then ask the crew to warm up again if you need.
A good idea for breastfeeding moms – Ask for a window seat. Take a small blanket or thick sheet and use a couple of pins to attach it to your seat and the seat in front, to create a privacy screen for you. If you don’t have a window seat, ask other passengers if they can trade. Put on your most helpless look, add a pleading tone to your voice and no one will say no!
Traveling with an infant doesn’t have to be the stuff of nightmares. You don’t have to be the mom or dad that everybody glares at mid air, when your child is throwing a tantrum. Flying with a baby requires a lot more planning and foresight than flying with preschoolers or older kids. Plan accordingly, make sure your carry on luggage includes a few essentials and you can have a relatively hassle free flight without going hysterical.
First, take your car seat along. The American Academy of Pediatric recommends that children below the age of 2 years be strapped to a child seat on flight. This makes it easier for you, because you won’t be left holding the baby uncomfortably on your lap. Your baby is also likely to feel more comfortable in a familiar car seat, and therefore less cranky. Remember to book your child’s eat in advance, and take care of seating assignments. Car seats are normally allowed for window seats, or at the center of a row in between aisles.
If you balk at the thought of purchasing another ticket for your baby, remember some parents will give you a free seat for your baby during off season times when planes tend to be not so full. While making reservations, confirm with your travel agent that the airline is open to giving you an available free seat for your baby.
Some airlines will also allow you to book a baby bassinet or cot, although your child will have to be lesser than 8 months old to take advantage of this.
Your carry on bag should contain disposable bibs for meal times, a bowl and spoon, and feeding bottles. Make sure you take along a small tin of baby food – although crew might offer you baby food, it might not be the one you’re baby’s used to eating. Take along a bottle of pre boiled water which you can then ask the crew to warm up again if you need.
A good idea for breastfeeding moms – Ask for a window seat. Take a small blanket or thick sheet and use a couple of pins to attach it to your seat and the seat in front, to create a privacy screen for you. If you don’t have a window seat, ask other passengers if they can trade. Put on your most helpless look, add a pleading tone to your voice and no one will say no!
Hermanus Whale Capital of the world
Wouter Olwagen asked:
Yearly this beautiful small town in the Western Cape province of Southern Africa gets “visited” by mammals of the blue sea. Whale species flock to the area to reproduce, in the beautiful surroundings of our little whale capital of the world – Hermanus, previously named Hermanuspietersfontein. The yearly arrival of the whales is a major tourist attraction which boosts the local economy enormously one just have to notice the word “whale” in almost every second local company name to realise the impact our big ocean friends has made. Restaurants, hotels and self-catering accommodation establishments are the ones that really thrives during holiday season.
Together with the swift arrival of the whales you’ll likely notice the buzz in town as the town centre get ready for the arrival of tourists from all over the continent. September month is when the festivity reaches climax when the now, weekly Whale Festival takes place. The festival offers many fun filled activities for young and old. Various artists perform here during the course of the week and the street markets do their fair share to ensure something for everyone. From a tourist point of view the best time to do some whale watching is from April to December. Our long stretched beaches along the coast line also attracts many inland visitors. With the beautiful surroundings, fun filled activities and attractions even the whales realise Hermanus is a destination to revisit.
Enjoy the sun, champagne air, friendly people and beautiful surroundings; truly a visit to refresh the spirit. Hermanus offer the holiday seeker long stretched white sand beaches which has been awarded blue flag status year after year. Night life in Hermanus proves to be very popular among the younger generations with a wide variety of restaurants and pubs to choose from. I lived in Hermanus for seven years and the “closeness” of the town is one of a kind, Hermanus is a very supportive community and offers excellent schools and sport facilities. Most sporting activities takes place at the Hermanus cricket club, with frequent cricket touring sides playing against a local team and the yearly Sir De Villiers graaf event is great fun with a yearly celebrity team. A few musical concerts that took place at the cricket club was a great success. Hermanus truely offers something for everyone, beauty, nature, sport facilities, awesome beaches, excellent people and did i mention whales. Take my word it’s my favorite holiday destination.
Wouter Olwagen
http://www.cape-town-travel.co.za
http://www.tvchat.co.za
Yearly this beautiful small town in the Western Cape province of Southern Africa gets “visited” by mammals of the blue sea. Whale species flock to the area to reproduce, in the beautiful surroundings of our little whale capital of the world – Hermanus, previously named Hermanuspietersfontein. The yearly arrival of the whales is a major tourist attraction which boosts the local economy enormously one just have to notice the word “whale” in almost every second local company name to realise the impact our big ocean friends has made. Restaurants, hotels and self-catering accommodation establishments are the ones that really thrives during holiday season.
Together with the swift arrival of the whales you’ll likely notice the buzz in town as the town centre get ready for the arrival of tourists from all over the continent. September month is when the festivity reaches climax when the now, weekly Whale Festival takes place. The festival offers many fun filled activities for young and old. Various artists perform here during the course of the week and the street markets do their fair share to ensure something for everyone. From a tourist point of view the best time to do some whale watching is from April to December. Our long stretched beaches along the coast line also attracts many inland visitors. With the beautiful surroundings, fun filled activities and attractions even the whales realise Hermanus is a destination to revisit.
Enjoy the sun, champagne air, friendly people and beautiful surroundings; truly a visit to refresh the spirit. Hermanus offer the holiday seeker long stretched white sand beaches which has been awarded blue flag status year after year. Night life in Hermanus proves to be very popular among the younger generations with a wide variety of restaurants and pubs to choose from. I lived in Hermanus for seven years and the “closeness” of the town is one of a kind, Hermanus is a very supportive community and offers excellent schools and sport facilities. Most sporting activities takes place at the Hermanus cricket club, with frequent cricket touring sides playing against a local team and the yearly Sir De Villiers graaf event is great fun with a yearly celebrity team. A few musical concerts that took place at the cricket club was a great success. Hermanus truely offers something for everyone, beauty, nature, sport facilities, awesome beaches, excellent people and did i mention whales. Take my word it’s my favorite holiday destination.
Wouter Olwagen
http://www.cape-town-travel.co.za
http://www.tvchat.co.za
Window Blinds And Curtains
Linden J. Walhard asked:
Window blinds are versatile home design elements. They come in a variety of materials, fabrics and style to suit your tastes. We’ll look at several materials.
1) Metal. These are the original blinds. For many years, aluminum was the predominant metal used in blinds. It’s durable, affordable, cleanable and flexible. The slats come in a variety of lengths and widths to fit any space or taste.
2) Wood. This is a popular choice for window coverings for the warm touch it gives to a room. It’s not a great choice when the room is prone to humidity, such as in a bathroom or a kitchen. They’re not good choices in humid geographic areas either. Wood can warp, crack or swell, rendering them useless when they won’t open or close correctly, or the louvers won’t move. Wood is used in Venetian blinds and woven blinds.
3) Cane. You’ll see this in woven blinds. The slats are very thin, and they’re only adjustable as an entire unit, not by a single slat. Light filters into the room through the thin slats, that are usually tied together with rope. They add a very natural look to a room.
4) Vinyl. This is the most popular material for blinds. It can take on the look of wood, but it’s also very low-maintenance. It won’t crack or warp like wood, and it doesn’t attract dust like wood blinds do. Miniblinds are most often vinyl. They’re among the most popular type of blind, due to their thin slat and their versatility.
5) Fabric. Sometimes you’ll see fabric backed with a stiff material to create slats. These are exceptionally nice when they complement the d
Window blinds are versatile home design elements. They come in a variety of materials, fabrics and style to suit your tastes. We’ll look at several materials.
1) Metal. These are the original blinds. For many years, aluminum was the predominant metal used in blinds. It’s durable, affordable, cleanable and flexible. The slats come in a variety of lengths and widths to fit any space or taste.
2) Wood. This is a popular choice for window coverings for the warm touch it gives to a room. It’s not a great choice when the room is prone to humidity, such as in a bathroom or a kitchen. They’re not good choices in humid geographic areas either. Wood can warp, crack or swell, rendering them useless when they won’t open or close correctly, or the louvers won’t move. Wood is used in Venetian blinds and woven blinds.
3) Cane. You’ll see this in woven blinds. The slats are very thin, and they’re only adjustable as an entire unit, not by a single slat. Light filters into the room through the thin slats, that are usually tied together with rope. They add a very natural look to a room.
4) Vinyl. This is the most popular material for blinds. It can take on the look of wood, but it’s also very low-maintenance. It won’t crack or warp like wood, and it doesn’t attract dust like wood blinds do. Miniblinds are most often vinyl. They’re among the most popular type of blind, due to their thin slat and their versatility.
5) Fabric. Sometimes you’ll see fabric backed with a stiff material to create slats. These are exceptionally nice when they complement the d
Why Retire In Panama
Ammi St. Paul asked:
If you are thinking about retiring, you should put Panama City on your short list. No, not Panama City, Florida. I mean Panama City, Panama. The AARP’s magazine, Modern Maturity, ranks Panama as the #1 place in the Americas for retirement. Fortune and International Living placed Panama in their top five, and Conde Nast Traveler selected Panama as one of the six best places for a second home in the Americas. All based their findings on safety, cost of living, infrastructure attractions, beauty and climate.
The best part of retiring to Panama is not just that it’s great place to live, and inexpensive, but the government actually encourages foreign retirees to come live here! Qualifying for a retiree visa is easy. If you can prove a monthly income of $500, pass a basic health check, and pass a police background check, you’re eligible.
On top of that, the government offers what some call the best retiree benefit program in the world. Retirees, both Panamanian and expatriate, are entitled to 15-50% discounts on a variety of goods and services ranging from movies and concerts to domestic and international airline tickets to medical and dental services.
The U.S. Social Security system still pays retirement benefits, which count toward the earnings requirement, if you choose to live here. If you averaged yearly earnings of $9152, you are entitled to a $500 per month benefit at “full retirement age.” For the early benefit, at age 62, you would need $12,203. In reality, almost anyone drawing benefits meets the income qualification to retire here. With a little planning, you can live tax-free.
Healthcare is always a concern for retirees. The majority of local doctors and dentists were educated in the U.S. Both health insurance and health care are very inexpensive. The quality is excellent with the latest in diagnostic testing and services. Unfortunately, Medicare benefits do not cover local services. Just buy a small policy to cover that, but if you return to the States for treatment, Medicare coverage will apply.
While Panama has its own Caribbean culture, you will feel at home. Panama has always been an international business crossroads and has a welcoming attitude. Restaurants, entertainment and shopping accommodations are all first class. But if you get a little home sick, the States are only a short flight away via Tocumen International Airport.
A legacy of the U.S. involvement in the Canal is a modern American-style infrastructure. You can drink the water. Transportation and roads are reliable. Telecommunications and Internet systems are world class. Banking systems and ATMs are readily available, and the dollar is accepted as currency – no need to exchange.
Panama has a variety of climates. There are wonderful beaches, cosmopolitan Panama City, mountains, and lush tropical areas. You can find a suitable locale here. Choose a beachfront home or condo on the Pacific or Caribbean shore. The mountain areas offer perfect all-year-round spring weather. Foreigners who buy property enjoy all the same rights and protections as Panamanians.
I am sure you will think of “Panama City” and retirement in a new way from now on.
If you are thinking about retiring, you should put Panama City on your short list. No, not Panama City, Florida. I mean Panama City, Panama. The AARP’s magazine, Modern Maturity, ranks Panama as the #1 place in the Americas for retirement. Fortune and International Living placed Panama in their top five, and Conde Nast Traveler selected Panama as one of the six best places for a second home in the Americas. All based their findings on safety, cost of living, infrastructure attractions, beauty and climate.
The best part of retiring to Panama is not just that it’s great place to live, and inexpensive, but the government actually encourages foreign retirees to come live here! Qualifying for a retiree visa is easy. If you can prove a monthly income of $500, pass a basic health check, and pass a police background check, you’re eligible.
On top of that, the government offers what some call the best retiree benefit program in the world. Retirees, both Panamanian and expatriate, are entitled to 15-50% discounts on a variety of goods and services ranging from movies and concerts to domestic and international airline tickets to medical and dental services.
The U.S. Social Security system still pays retirement benefits, which count toward the earnings requirement, if you choose to live here. If you averaged yearly earnings of $9152, you are entitled to a $500 per month benefit at “full retirement age.” For the early benefit, at age 62, you would need $12,203. In reality, almost anyone drawing benefits meets the income qualification to retire here. With a little planning, you can live tax-free.
Healthcare is always a concern for retirees. The majority of local doctors and dentists were educated in the U.S. Both health insurance and health care are very inexpensive. The quality is excellent with the latest in diagnostic testing and services. Unfortunately, Medicare benefits do not cover local services. Just buy a small policy to cover that, but if you return to the States for treatment, Medicare coverage will apply.
While Panama has its own Caribbean culture, you will feel at home. Panama has always been an international business crossroads and has a welcoming attitude. Restaurants, entertainment and shopping accommodations are all first class. But if you get a little home sick, the States are only a short flight away via Tocumen International Airport.
A legacy of the U.S. involvement in the Canal is a modern American-style infrastructure. You can drink the water. Transportation and roads are reliable. Telecommunications and Internet systems are world class. Banking systems and ATMs are readily available, and the dollar is accepted as currency – no need to exchange.
Panama has a variety of climates. There are wonderful beaches, cosmopolitan Panama City, mountains, and lush tropical areas. You can find a suitable locale here. Choose a beachfront home or condo on the Pacific or Caribbean shore. The mountain areas offer perfect all-year-round spring weather. Foreigners who buy property enjoy all the same rights and protections as Panamanians.
I am sure you will think of “Panama City” and retirement in a new way from now on.
Does Pdr Work ?
Steven Magill asked:
PDR stands for paintless dent repair. It’s a craft that you can learn and it will, once you have mastered the skill, be a way for you to earn a very nice income. You will be able to remove those dings from car doors, and other small dents that you will find around the automobile. This doesn’t take long if you are experienced at doing it. It normally takes 10 to 20 minutes and is very inexpensive, since there is no product to buy. PDR is becoming the alternative to body shops.
The biggest reason people are choosing this method over a body shop is the time that it takes at a body shop to repair a dent, and also the money they are spending to get it fixed. With PDR, not only will the time your vehicle is being repaired be shorter, but also it will cost you so much less money. It’s a new way of fixing dents and dings that is putting the car repair world at notice!
How exactly does paintless dent repair work? A person who has been trained at PDR will use metal rods and picks in order to massage out dents and dings from the finish of the car. This will be done by the expert working from the inside of the car or panel, depending on where the dent or ding is. In essence, the dings and dents are being pushed out. A normal repair from beginning to end will last about 10 to 20 minutes.
If you want to try and do this as a living all you need is to purchase the tools, get the training, and offer a service where you will go to people and fix the dents and dings, or get a shop and do the service from there. This is a very high-demand service that many people are looking to have done now. It depends on where the dent or ding is in the vehicle and how you will access it. Here are some of the more common areas and how to go about accessing it.
Doors: You will need to roll down the window, and access the area by the window ledge opening. There may be an existing opening in the door jam. Access through this spot. Take the panel off the door, or even drill a hole in the door. You can finish this off by putting a silicone plug into the hole to prevent any corrosion, and to make the door look good.
Rear quarter panels: There should be an opening or even a vent in the rear door area. Access through this spot. Go through the trunk, or through a tail light assembly. You can access the dent through the wheel well, or drill a hole through the rear door. Of course, you will need to plug it when finished.
Roof: simply remove or lower the headliner.
Front fender: go through the engine compartment, or through a headlight assembly. Again you could access this from the inner wheel well too.
Hood: remove the covering from the inside of the hood and access the ding or dent this way.
While doing these repairs, it should not require the technician to drill any holes.
PDR stands for paintless dent repair. It’s a craft that you can learn and it will, once you have mastered the skill, be a way for you to earn a very nice income. You will be able to remove those dings from car doors, and other small dents that you will find around the automobile. This doesn’t take long if you are experienced at doing it. It normally takes 10 to 20 minutes and is very inexpensive, since there is no product to buy. PDR is becoming the alternative to body shops.
The biggest reason people are choosing this method over a body shop is the time that it takes at a body shop to repair a dent, and also the money they are spending to get it fixed. With PDR, not only will the time your vehicle is being repaired be shorter, but also it will cost you so much less money. It’s a new way of fixing dents and dings that is putting the car repair world at notice!
How exactly does paintless dent repair work? A person who has been trained at PDR will use metal rods and picks in order to massage out dents and dings from the finish of the car. This will be done by the expert working from the inside of the car or panel, depending on where the dent or ding is. In essence, the dings and dents are being pushed out. A normal repair from beginning to end will last about 10 to 20 minutes.
If you want to try and do this as a living all you need is to purchase the tools, get the training, and offer a service where you will go to people and fix the dents and dings, or get a shop and do the service from there. This is a very high-demand service that many people are looking to have done now. It depends on where the dent or ding is in the vehicle and how you will access it. Here are some of the more common areas and how to go about accessing it.
Doors: You will need to roll down the window, and access the area by the window ledge opening. There may be an existing opening in the door jam. Access through this spot. Take the panel off the door, or even drill a hole in the door. You can finish this off by putting a silicone plug into the hole to prevent any corrosion, and to make the door look good.
Rear quarter panels: There should be an opening or even a vent in the rear door area. Access through this spot. Go through the trunk, or through a tail light assembly. You can access the dent through the wheel well, or drill a hole through the rear door. Of course, you will need to plug it when finished.
Roof: simply remove or lower the headliner.
Front fender: go through the engine compartment, or through a headlight assembly. Again you could access this from the inner wheel well too.
Hood: remove the covering from the inside of the hood and access the ding or dent this way.
While doing these repairs, it should not require the technician to drill any holes.