Rabu, 16 Juli 2008

Mount Chimborazo: Climbing Glaciers Near The Equator

The climb up the glaciers to the summit of Mount Chimborazo in Ecuador isn't considered highly technical. Technically, it is mountaineering, but how hard could it be, considering that I went to 20,600 feet the first time I used crampons and an ice axe? Okay, I had used them once for practice, on a sledding hill near my house. I climbed almost forty feet while people walked by with their sleds, warning their kids to stay away from me.

Driving Up Mount Chimborazo

It is easier to climb a mountain when the guide drives you to 15,000 feet. Don't get me wrong. Climbing that last 5,600 feet was one of the most difficult things I've done, but not for the skill required. The fact that the air was missing half of its oxygen is what had me quitting twenty or thirty times on the way up Chimborazo. It just gets difficult to move up there.

The Graveyard

The little monuments near the first refuge weren't for climbers without skill. The graveyard is a testament to the unpredictability of all high places. Chimborazo is very high, it randomly drops large rocks on you, and has weather that changes by the minute. Even as we were hiking to the second refuge, we could hear the rocks and pieces of ice falling somewhere above.

El Refugio Edward Whymper is a simple, unheated hut at 16,000 feet, named after the English climber who first made it to the summit of the mountain. Okay, it isn't entirely unheated. There is a fireplace, and when somebody feels like carrying wood up to 5000 meters, the fire might raise the temperature in the hut by 3 degrees.

We had "mate de coca" a tea made of coca leaves, which are also known for another product made from them--one that is taken up the nose. Then we went hiking for a short while. That was my acclimatization. We ate, and I slept for at least an hour before starting the ascent at eleven that night.

A Little About Mount Chimborazo

Chimborazo is in Ecuador, not far from the Equator (100 miles south). The elevation in the center of the country, and the moderating effect of the Humboldt Current, which runs along the west side of South America, gives the country near perfect weather. A bit hot along the coast and lowlands, but spring--like in Quito (the capital) , with daily highs in the sixties to low seventies year--round. Wonderful weather almost everywhere--until you get high enough.

Chimborazo, at it's peak, is the furthest point from the center of the Earth. Our planet bulges at the equator, making Mount Chimborazo even futher out there than Everest. It has the distinction of being the closest point to the sun on the planet, and yet still the coldest place in Ecuador.

Climbing Chimborazo

Paco, my guide, didn't like the lightweight part of this mountain climbing adventure. He frowned when he saw my sleeping bag, which packed up smaller than a football, and weighed a pound. My frameless backpack didn't seem to impress him either (13 ounces). In any case, although it did get below freezing in the hut, just as he said it would, I stayed warm--as I said I would. No problems so far.

Unfortunately, Paco didn't speak a word of English, and I was just learning Spanish. Since our whole group consisted of him and me, we did have some communication problems. I thought, for example, that the $11 fee for the "night" (a few hours) in the hut was included in the $130 guide fee. He thought that I was a mountain climber.

I think he was saying that he didn't like the papery rainsuit I was using as a shell, and he frowned at my homemade 1--ounce ski mask. When he saw me putting on my insulating vest, a feathery piece of poly batting with a hole cut in it for my head...well, I just pretended not to understand what he was saying.

I hadn't intended to go climb up Mount Chimborazo with such lightweight gear, but I had come to Ecuador on a courier flight, and could bring only carry-on luggage. Since I had only 12 pounds in the pack to begin with, by the time I put on all my clothes that night, the weight on my back was irrelevant. The weight of my body, however, wasn't irrelevant. Paco had to coax me up that mountain.

Hiking On Glaciers

The glaciers start a short walk from the hut, and hiking soon became mountaineering. I put on crampons for the second time in my life (there was that sledding hill). During one of my many breaks ("Demasiado" - too many, which I pretended not to understand when Paco explained in Spanish), I noticed that the tiny, cheap thermometer I carried had bottomed out at 5 degrees fahrenheit. I wasn't cold, but I was exhausted at times--the times when I moved. When I sat still I felt like I could run right up that mountain.

We struggled (okay, I struggled) up Mount Chimborazo, hiking, climbing, jumping over crevasses, until I finally quit at 20,000 feet. Of course I had quit at 19,000 feet, and at 18,000 feet. Quitting had become my routine. Lying had become Paco's, so he told me straight--faced that the summit was just fifty feet higher. Maybe I wanted to believe him, or maybe the lack of oxygen had scrambled my brain. In any case, I started up the ice again.

On Top Of Mount Chimborazo

We stumbled onto the summit at dawn. Well, okay, I stumbled. Paco, who seemed somewhat frail down at the refuge, was in his element at 20,600 feet. Dirtbag Joe, the nineteen-year-old kid from California with ten dollars in his pocket, borrowed equipment, and my Ramen noodles in his stomach, was waiting for us with a smile.

The sky was a stunning shade of blue that you actually can never see at lower elevations. Cotapaxi, a classic snow-covered volcano to the north, was clearly visible 70 or 80 miles away. Handshakes all around, and it was time to get off the mountain. I was told you don't want to be on Mount Chimborazo when she wakes up. She wakes up at nine a.m.

Paco kept looking at his watch and frowning. He told me to hurry, then he got further and further ahead. I thought he was going to abandon me on the mountain. When I finally caught up to him at the hut at nine a.m., I began to hear the rocks fall out of the ice above as the sun warmed it. Now I understood his concern with time. We really did need to get down to the refuge by nine. A thousand feet lower and my mountain climbing adventure ended with a photograph that mercifully doesn't show my shaking knees.

NOTES:

If you want to climb Mount Chimborazo, it is cheapest to wait until you get to Ecuador to make arrangements. Talk to almost any hotel owner or manager in Riobamba, and he or she will find a guide for you. It will be cheaper if you are part of a group, of course.


By Steve Gillman


Three Places to Interact with Dolphins in Hawaii

Visitors to Hawaii frequently see dolphins from shore or on a whale-watching cruise or fishing boat. Visitors sometimes happen to be in the water snorkeling or kayaking when a pod of dolphins swims by. Some visitors even seek out dolphins, either by frequenting areas where dolphins live and play, like Kealakekua Bay on the Big Island, or by taking a boat tour that frequents areas where dolphins live and play.

If however, you would like to guarantee up-close dolphin interaction you can pay for the privilege at three places in Hawaii.

1. Dolphin Quest on the Big Island

Pros:
Children 5 years and up can participate. Several programs to choose from.
Cons:
No actual 'swimming' with dolphins. The Dolphin Quest Program on the Big Island is located at the Hilton Waikoloa Village hotel. You do not have to be a guest at the hotel to participate in or watch the dolphin programs. The program includes dolphin trivia and facts, close up examination the program's captive dolphin's body parts like teeth and tail, getting to feed the dolphins, being in the water with the dolphins, and watching them underwater with the mask. Each person also gets a few photo opportunities touching or holding a dolphin in different poses.

2. Dolphin Quest on Oahu

Pros:
Extensive program for kids 5 to 12.
Cons:
No actual 'swimming' with dolphins. The Oahu program is located at the Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Although the Oahu and Big Island programs are similar in theme, there are differences. The Oahu program includes many of the same aspects as the Big Island program but here kids also have an opportunity to interact with reef fish and sea turtles. Oahu also offers a program that is half as long and a little less expensive.

3. Sea Life Park on Oahu

Pros:
If your dolphin is willing, you get to hold onto his/her dorsal fin for a swim.
Cons:
Out of a 45 minute program, only 15 of it is in the water. Only for ages 13 and up. This program also includes the price of admission to Sea Life Park. It features a lot of in-depth dolphin facts and some close up dolphin interaction, plus 15 minutes in the water with the dolphins. Pictures are also available.

By Lisa Weber


Hawaii Snorkeling - An Underwater Paradise

Hawaii snorkeling is a fun activity available to almost any skill level of swimmer, where you can discover a breathtaking array of Hawaii's most exotic sea life a few yards from shore. Colorful coral, lava flows, turtles and more than 700 species of fish are found in the clear, high- visibility waters warmed to an average temperature of 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit. Getting yourself outfitted is no problem, as there are dozens if not hundreds of rental facilities around, ranging in price from $10-20 day, and if you're staying at a resort you can possibly score free equipment available to their guests.

Once you're outfitted and ready for some Hawaii snorkeling, head out to some of Hawaii's best snorkeling venues. Likely the most well-known of these is Molokini. The Molokini crater is what's left of an extinct volcano a few miles off Maui, shaped like a crescent moon. This is s must-see spot! Other great Hawaii snorkeling locations on Maui include Honolua Bay, Kapalua Bay and Makena landing. Honolua is regarded by locals as the best snorkeling and diving spot on Maui, while Kapalua Bay boasts calm waters, safe swimming, and one of the world's best beaches. Makena offers excellent cave snorkeling, and endangered green sea turtles. Other Hawaii snorkeling spots worth getting wet in would be Hanauma Bay Nature Park on Oahu, a marine preserve; and Waimea Bay, best known for it's surfing. In fact, during winter months snorkeling isn't permitted due to high surf. On the Big Island there's Kealakekua Bay and Hapuna Beach. If your Hawaii snorkeling plans take you to Kauai, try Ke'e Beach and Po`ipu Beach Park.

Wherever your Hawaii snorkeling trip takes you in the islands rest assured that there is practically no bad place to dip your feet in! Be safe though; don't snorkel alone, snorkel in safe waters, observe warning signs, and beware of high surf. And don't feed the fish! They've survived centuries without Cheezits; don't get them started now!

Your Hawaii snorkeling adventure is waiting just under the warm waters of whichever island you choose. Don't forget the camera!

By Keith Thompson


A Hiking Guide to Easter Island

Ask me which Pacific island has the most to offer hikers and I'll probably answer Easter Island. Here on an island 11 km wide and 23 km long you'll find nearly a thousand ancient Polynesian statues strewn along a powerfully beautiful coastline or littering the slopes of an extinct volcano.

The legends of Easter Island have been recounted many times. What's less known is that the island's assorted wonders are easily accessible on foot from the comfort of the only settlement, Hanga Roa. Before setting out see the sights, however, visit the excellent archaeological museum next to Ahu Tahai on the north side of town (the term "ahu" refers to an ancient stone platform). Aside from the exhibits, the museum has maps which can help you plan your trip. On online map is available at http://www.mapsouthpacific.com/easter_island/

The first morning after arrival, I suggest you climb Easter Island's most spectacular volcano, Rano Kau, where Orongo, a major archaeological site, sits on the crater's rim. But rather than marching straight up the main road to the crater, look for the unmarked shortcut trail off a driveway to the right just past the forestry station south of town. It takes under two hours to cover the six km from Hanga Roa to Orongo, but bring along a picnic lunch and make a day of it. (If climbing a 316-meter hill sounds daunting, you can take a taxi to the summit for around US$6 and easily walk back later in the day.) Once on top, you'll find hiking down into the colourful crater presents no difficulty. It may also look easy to go right around the crater rim, but only do so if you're a very experienced hiker and have a companion along as shear 250-meter cliffs drop into the sea from the ridge.

Another day, rise early and take a taxi to lovely Anakena Beach at the end of the paved road on the north side of the island (you should pay under US$10 for the 20 km). A few of the famous Easter Island statues have been restored at Anakena and you could go for a swim, although the main reason you've come is the chance to trek back to Hanga Roa around the road-free northwest corner of the island. You'll pass numerous abandoned statues lying facedown where they fell, and the only living creatures you're unlikely to encounter are the small brown hawks which will watch you intently from perches on nearby rocks. If you keep moving, you'll arrive back in town in five or six hours (but take adequate food, water, and sunscreen). This is probably the finest coastal walk in the South Pacific.

Almost as good is the hike along the south coast, although you're bound to run into other tourists here as a paved highway follows the shore. Begin early and catch a taxi to Rano Raraku, the stone quarry where all of the island's statues were born. This is easily the island's most spectacular sight with 397 statues in various stages of completion lying scattered around the crater. And each day large tour groups come to Rano Raraku to sightsee and have lunch. However, if you arrive before 9 am, you'll have the site to yourself for a few hours. When you see the first tour buses headed your way, hike down to Ahu Tongariki on the coast, where 15 massive statues were reerected in 1994. From here, just start walking back toward Hanga Roa (20 km) along the south coast. You'll pass many fallen statues and enjoy some superb scenery. Whenever you get tired, simply go up onto the highway and stick out your thumb and you'll be back in town in a jiffy.

An outstanding 13-km walk begins at the museum and follows the west coast five km north to Ahu Tepeu. As elsewhere, keep your eyes pealed for banana trees growing out of the barren rocks as these often indicate caves you can explore. Inland from Ahu Tepeu is one of the island's most photographed sites, Ahu Akivi, with seven statues restored in 1960. From here an interior farm road runs straight back to town (study the maps at the museum carefully, as you'll go far out of your way if you choose the wrong road here).

A shorter hike takes you up Puna Pau, a smaller crater which provided stone for the red topknots that originally crowned the island's statues. There's a great view of Hanga Roa from the three crosses on an adjacent hill and you can easily do it all in half a day. A different walk takes you right around the 3,353-meter airport runway, which crosses the island just south of town. Near the east end of the runway is Ahu Vinapu with perfectly fitted monolithic stonework bearing an uncanny resemblance to similar constructions in Peru.

Easter Island's moderate climate and scant vegetation make for easy cross country hiking, and you won't find yourself blocked by fences and private property signs very often. You could also tour the island by mountain bike, available from several locations at US$10 a day. If you surf or scuba dive, there are many opportunities here. A minimum of five days are needed to see the main sights of Easter Island, and two weeks would be far better. The variety of things to see and do will surprise you, and you'll be blessed with some unforgettable memories.

By David Stanley


Improving Your Aim

If your aim is not good, or is not quite what you want it to be, there are several ways you can work to improve it. Most people can hit the target almost every time when they are not rushed in any way. If you have the time to slowly take aim and think about your shot, you may consider yourself an accurate shot. However, this is paintball. You will rarely have the opportunity to slowly take aim and think about anything. You must learn to be both fast and accurate.

A common problem among paintball players is the inability to quickly raise their guns, take aim, fire, and actually hit the target. It takes practice to be able to do this in a matter of a second. Try practicing with your gun. Do not actually fire it, just simply bring it up from the down position quickly and take aim. The trick here is to be able to instantly focus on the target. Keep doing this exercise until you can bring the gun up and be instantly focused on your target. Use different targets for this practice. Once you feel like you have the hang of it, add paint. Bring the gun up quickly; focus instantly on the target, and fire. Practice this until you are hitting your target almost every time. Again, use different targets.

You need to practice with moving targets as well. Team up with a friend and take turns being a moving target. Another point that you must take into consideration is distance. If you can hit your target when the target is close, but you cannot hit the target when it is farther away, you need more practice.

You must also be able to hit targets while you are in motion. Moving targets, as well as targets that are not moving. Practice with your friend. Consider making an obstacle course as well. In your course, include jumps, crouches, quick turns, and any other situation you may find yourself in during an actual game. Go through the course until you can hit the targets the majority of the time, and then change the course around.

Make sure that you keep practicing between games.

By Chirstopher Reeve


Where to Find Some of the Best Beaches in the World

We think that Cape Town has some of the best beaches in the world.

You can choose beaches which are on the Indian Ocean, with warm water, or those on the colder Atlantic Ocean. Neither coast is very distant from the other, so travelling between the two is easy by road or rail.

Most of the beaches, which stretch around the coastline are long with white sand. On some of the beaches like Muizenberg you'll find lifeguards, so they are safe to surf from.

Other beaches, like Boulders Beach, you'll find plenty of animals. On Boulders beach it's the African Penguins that live there. Beware, they can be rather smelly and they do bite if you get too close to them, but don't let that stop you diving into the water to swim with them. The penguins appear very tolerant of their fellow human sunbathers and are quite happy to live harmoniously with us! Let's face it, where else can you get an experience like this?

Seals and fish life abound, which in turn brings the bird life. Whilst sitting on the back verandah of the house we constantly see the more common birds such as Turns, Black-Backed Seagulls, Cormorants, but great excitement happens when the African Pelicans come to visit. Huge jumbo jets of birds, serenely floating along like the QE2 in full sail!

The African Pelicans seem to like to come to visit during the evening time at dusk, staying all night on the sand bank just across the water. It's almost as if they come for an overnight or weekend stay. Obviously like the Hilton to them.

Other visitors that we love to see on our lagoon are the Egrets, Herons and Oyster Catchers. Wonderful wading birds, all with their own characteristics, which you could sit and watch all day long, just wading up and down, dancing their flirty dances to attract the fish, or at least confuse the fish sufficiently for the bird to suddenly dip its head and peck the fish straight out of the water and into it's gullet.

Beaches with facilities, life and people, beaches without anything except for the birdlife. The choice is yours. Often you can find beaches not far away from the hubbub and find not one soul upon it, real desert island stuff.

Spectacular scenery is also the norm for Cape Town beaches. Just think of the bay of Cape Town with it's flat-topped mountain in the background. The whole of the bay is infact, one long sandy beach, stetching for miles around Table Bay.

Next time you're thinking about taking a beach holiday, take a look at Cape Town - you'll not be disappointed.

By Helen Palmer


Navigating on the Mountain, in Water, or in Woods there is an eTrex Unit For You

Truly a small wonder, the eTrex takes the best features of a 12 parallel channel GPS receiver and put them into a six ounce package that is only four inches high and two inches wide. The result is a unit that will literally fit in the palm of your hand.

Besides its small size, mariners and outdoorsmen will likely notice the sleek design of the eTrex.

All buttons are located on either side of the unit, allowing for simple, one-handed operation that won't obstruct your view of the display. In fact, the eTrex features only five operator buttons for the ultimate in user-friendly design.

Inside the eTrex, you will find the proven performance of a 12 parallel channel GPS receiver that will run for 18 hours on just two AA batteries.

No need to worry about dense tree canopy with this unit, the eTrex will continue to maintain a tight satellite lock even while operating in forest-like conditions. The eTrex will store up to 500 user waypoints with graphic icons and boasts Garmin's exclusive TracBack® feature that will reverse your track log and help you navigate your way back home. In addition, the eTrex uses animated graphics that will help you identify your marked waypoints quickly and easily.

The Garmin eTrex family consists of six members - the eTrex, eTrex Camo, eTrex Summit, eTrex Legend, eTrex Venture and eTrex Vista.

The family retain the same basic features one of the best-selling handheld GPS systems on the market, and has adapted them to add some unique features to make each of them the perfect tool for their intended users.

By NS Kennedy


Review: Russell Shortos The Island At The Center Of The World

Up to now the preponderant view held by many historians is that Dutch contribution to American history and particularly to that of New York has been one of irrelevancy. As we no doubt realize, the winners write history, and unfortunately, whatever the losers may have contributed, it seems to be lost or forgotten in the shuffle.

Fortunately, during the past thirty years and thanks to the translation of many Dutch records that have been recently discovered pertaining to the early colony of New Netherlands, a different picture has emerged. It is this new perspective that author Russell Shorto has vividly and brilliantly captured in his latest gem of a book entitled, The Island at the Center of the World.

Shorto devotes considerable ink in defending his thesis that the success of Manhattan as a commercial center, or New York, as it was renamed after the British takeover, did not begin with the English but rather had very deep roots in the early Dutch community. It was in fact in the late 1640s that the city of New Amsterdam under Dutch rule began its rise to become North American's shipping hub. Furthermore, one of the key actors who played a pivotal role in the community was, up to now, a long forgotten visionary, Adriaen van der Donck, who often found himself, locked in a power- struggle with Peter Stuyvesant. The latter has always been more recognizable than the former, particularly due to the fact that it was he who surrendered the Dutch colony to the British.

What was very little publicized up to now was that van der Donck had being heavily influenced by the more progressive thinking of some of Europe's most enlightened thinkers as Descartes, Grotius, and Spinoza. It is the freedoms espoused by these thinkers that van der Donck believed in. Eventually, they would find root in the Dutch colony, ultimately becoming the foundation of many of the democratic principles forming the basis of the American cultural, economic and sociological psyche. On the other hand, Stuyvesant, who lacked the same formal education as van der Donck, was stuck in his old tyrannical concepts and narrow- minded prejudices, which effect was to stifle the aspirations of the inhabitants of the Dutch colony. It is fortunate for the USA that the theories and beliefs of van der Donck won out.

As a side note and to indicate the extent of the Dutch influence on American culture, Shorto also reveals such interesting tidbits as what settlers emigrating to the Dutch colony would bring along with them, the derivation of words such as cookies, cole slaw and Santa Claus, that can all trace their roots to the Dutch colony of New Netherlands. We also have an overview and some fascinating insights as to what actually transpired between the Dutch and the English at the time the latter took possession of New Nederland.

Shorto's animated characterizations of individuals and events is consistently enlightening entertaining, informative and balanced, all of which make for a powerful analysis of events that have had an unbelievable influence on American culture, political and economic institutions.

The review was contributed by: NORM GOLDMAN EDITOR OF BOOKPLEASURES


Zambezi Sharks Under Threat at Protea Banks

Sharklife.co.za has been fighting an ongoing for the protection of the Zambezi shark on Protea Banks but has been informed that a fishing charter is still trophy fishing for these sharks.

Sensational Fishing Charters is the only charter in the area to actively advertise and promote shark trophy fishing.

It takes Zambezi sharks over 20 years to reach breeding maturity. Should this slaughter be allowed to continue we fear that the entire Zambezi shark population of Protea Banks will soon be gone. Currently the only sharks seen on Protea Banks that have any form of protection, are the Great White and Spotted Ragged-tooth. Many other species, like the Zambezi, are in desperate need of protection and we need your help to get the authorities to act and get unscrupulous charters to stop their slaughter.

Local dive charter African Odyssea has witnessed the drastic decline in the Zambezi shark population on Protea Banks. One could expect to see up to 20 or more individual sharks on a single dive when diving began there in 1994 and this season 2005 there are an estimated 7 individual Zambezi's left on the reef.

Each of these 7 sharks is a national treasure attracting thousands of divers each year to Protea Banks not to mention their vital importance to the ecology of the reef.


Traveling To and Around Hawaii, A First-Time Visitors Primer

Six different islands in Hawaii are open to tourism. Most first-timers planning a trip to one or more than one island have numerous questions relating to where exactly to go and how exactly to get there. This primer will answer those questions.

All interisland flights are through Hawaiian Airlines, Aloha Airlines, or Island Air. Best prices will usually be through the website or through your mainland flight company.

Oahu is the hub of Hawaii transportation. Most mainland and International flights will fly into the Honolulu International Airport (HNL). Travelers heading on to another island may have to deplane and get on an interisland flight to reach their final destination. The airport is located on the outskirts of Honolulu, about a 20 minute drive to Waikiki, and about a 45 minute drive to the North Shore. There are no ferries from Oahu to any other island.

Maui has three airports. The major airport is Kahalui Airport (OGG) which allows direct flights from the West coast of the U.S. mainland. The drive from the airport to Kihei or Wailea is less than half an hour, but can take an hour to Lahaina or Kaanapali. Much closer to the Lahaina area is Kapalua Airport (JHM) but you can only fly there from Honolulu. Hana (HNM) also has an airport if you don't want to drive, but you'll be taking a very small plane. Check with Pacific Wings. You can normally find day ferries from Maui to Lanai and Molokai.

The Big Island (named Hawaii, but called the Big Island to avoid confusion) has two airports, Hilo International Airport (ITO), and Keahole Airport (KOA). These two airports are a 2.5 hour drive from each other. Hilo is closest to Honokaa, Kapoho, and Volcano. Keahole is in Kailua-Kona which is closest to all of Kona, Puako, Kohala, Waikoloa, and Waimea. There are direct flights from the mainland only to Keahole. There are no ferries from the Big Island to any other island.

Kauai has one airport, Lihue Airport (LIH), in Lihue, and you can find direct flights from the mainland on some carriers. Lihue is about halfway to everything on the island - but a bit closer to Poipu than Princeville. There are no ferrys from Kauai to any other island.

Molokai has one airport, Molokai Airport (MKK) in central Molokai. You will probably have to take a small airplane in, usually no bigger than a 20 seater. Island Air will fly you in from Honolulu or Kahului. Small commercial boats will ferry you from Maui to Molokai.

Lanai has one airport, Lanai Airport (LNY), near Lanai City. Lanai airport also only accepts small airplanes. Island Air will fly you in from Honolulu. Small commercial boats will ferry you from Maui to Molokai.

By 2007 Hawaii Super Ferry should be operating between all the islands and will hopefully revolutionize our current expensive and inefficient interisland travel systems. Until then, book your flight online and early.


Comal White Water or More Blue Green

White Water on the Comal river in Central Texas is more of of toobers paradise than a rafter or kayaker's dreamland, but for a fun and relaxing family adventure I highly recommend the trip. For the second time in the last two years my family and I spent a few days partaking of fun, water and sun in and around New Braunfels, Texas on the Comal and Guadalupe rivers. Day one was spent on the Comal floating gently down the lazy 72 degree water from Prince Solms Park to the Rockin R take out. I have always rented tubes from Rockin R for as long as I can remember Rockin R claims to have been established in 1979, so maybe that first time I went to Camp Warneke it wasn't called Rockin R, but it sure seems it was on the same corner. Though Camp Warneke is no longer, the signs along the river still point to a simpler time when multi-million dollar water parks didn't dominate the landscape of New Braunfels.

Rockin R does a great job of shuttling around the huge qualities of toobers in old airport rental car shuttles who enjoy the relaxing beer soaked float down the Comal. Tubes can be rented with or without bottoms and don't forget your cooler float. Ours came complete with a nice little Texas flag painted on the front of our cooler.

Our first day on the Comal was later voted as the family favorite. The relaxing float which started just above Prince Solms park in Landa Park featured four trips through the tube hoot for my son and I. It wasn't until the third trip through that I noticed that the park was closed and there were No Trespassing signs everywhere. Opps! On the forth trip the rest of the family finally braved the light rain having waited out all the thunder, lighting and most of the heavy rain under the large oaks on the shores of the Comal in Landa Park. To tell the truth I was more than a little apprehensive this labor day weekend as scattered thundershowers followed us the entire vacation. They say lighting never strikes twice, but I wasn't in the mood to tempt fate as I was shocked by a lighting surge the previous week working at my computer with my hand resting on the mouse. My pinky may never be the same again.

Our first trip with the entire family down the Comal was as a classic. Exciting start and a smooth, relaxing finish. The urban Comal River is 2.5 mile in length and is one of the largest springs in Texas with 8 million gallons of water flowing through every hour. The water is pure, clear and cold, and a constant 72 degrees. The calm cool waters of the Comal in Landa Park are created by a small dam to the right of which is the mild adrenaline rush of the dam's S shaped spillway called the Prince Solms Park Tube Chute.

After the mild adventure of the tube chute at the start we had a incredible day on the water given the fact that we only had two beers in the cooler. A tactical mistake given the cases of beer that toobers consume during the course of any given day on the Comal River in Texas. On a side note the beer at the Rockin R was, lets say priced like a piece of plywood in Florida this hurricane season on the black market.

At the end of our trip, Rockin R's exclusive exit was where our crew and toobs were graciously hoisted from the water by the Rockin R staff. At the top of the stairs our Rockin R cruise director asked of our future intentions to float the river. The Rockin R will haul you from the finish line to the start from sunup to sundown. The family decided to have another go at the river after lunch. With tubes loaded in the trailer our old rental car shuttles vinyl cover seats served as our latest venue of relaxation. Several dads with water guns provided the entertainment spraying innocent bikini clad women from the bus windows as we made our way back to the Rockin R store on Liberty Street. The gang decided on Pat's Place for some old fashion burgers and iced tea from mason jars as the lunch de jour. After a satisfying meal and great service our only compliant being they had no outdoor full service deck, we headed over to the corner store to pick up some reasonably priced refreshments. Having fully stocked the expedition, we took the shuttle back to our starting point in Landa park. This time we all took the refreshing plunge into the cool waters of the Comal quickly and rafted up for the descent down the tube chute.

Our final trip through the tube chute stared the same as the last, but my ten year-old daughter who was tied off with her grandmother broke away and got caught up in the whirlpool action just behind the dam. She couldn't get back across the main outflow of the spillway, and couldn't grab the high bank wall to get back to the steps just behind the dam. She made several attempts just below the park rangers un-watchful eyes before I yelled and motioned to her to stay put in her tube. I waded back upstream on the opposite bank and dove into the main current of the tube chute which sent me rocketing across the river to the opposing shore. As I neared the high concrete embankment, I jumped and grabbed hold of the wall only to be swiftly washed off by an influx tubers and the surge of water preceding them. Trying to keep my head above water I got a very nice shin rash from the sharp concrete wall foundations as I grabbed for the stair rails and my second attempt to get out of the swift currents. Finally with a new found respect for the tame waters of the Comal I headed up stream on the opposite bank to assist my daughter. Having heeded my advise she was resting near the wall in a clam area where the top of the wall was just out of her reach. Laying down she handed me her tube and I pulled her out of the water for the brief trip on the walkway back downstream. As I ambled, fairly exhausted, past the park rangers I gave them the quizzical eye as if to say, "where the hell where you."

The remainder of the float downstream I was amazed at the stupidly of jumping into the gushing confluence of the dam's spillway as I consumed a refreshing Mexican import. Kids being kids, my son and I tried our hand at standing on our tubes in the calmer and deeper sections of the Comal as our thoughts turned toward our next adventure at the Texas Ski Ranch.

What to Expect:

When you go to tube chute, on the Comal expect the ride to be swift, you should wear water shoes or rafting sandals to protect your feet from the concrete and uneven river bottom - the rocks and steps are covered in algae and are slippery. You can go through the tube chute as many times as you want and with a tube outfitter shuttle float the Comal several times in a day. The tube chute is not recommended for weak swimmers or children under 6. The remainder of the 2.5 mile river is pure family enjoyment. The crowd can be load and rowdy at times including some beer bong drinking college students in the shallows on long the way. So be sure to avert the eyes if some beer drinking young lady should flash the cheering crowds. You will be floating through the lush backyards and urban parks in the town of New Braunfels, so if you need to exit the river for any reason make sure you are not trespassing as the landowners are not tolerant due the the aforementioned beer drinking crowds. The Trip is a definite must do if in central Texas in August. On the up side, this is not the Schlitterbahn, this is what inspired the Schlitterbahn. My 14 year old son after a day at America's favorite water park (we got waited in line for the MasterBlaster for 1:43 minutes starting at 10:26 am and we were off the ride at 12:11) and a day on the Guadalupe pronounced the Comal his favorite.


By BJ Baker


Holidays in Goa

Sun, Sand and Surf - an apt description for Goa? But Goa is much more. Ancient temples and old churches? Yes. Portuguese Colony? Carnival City? The original refuge of the hippies? Yes again! Beach Paradise, India's holiday capital? the list goes on.

Goa, 'Pearl of the Orient', is located in South Western India on the coastal belt known as the Konkan. While naturally blessed with a fortuitous combination of vast expansive beaches, forested hills and fertile plains, Goa's potential as a holiday hotspot is the result of potent intermingling of historical occurrences and the absorption capacity of its own compelling spirit.

Goa, Past and Present

Its creation divinely attributed to Lord Parshuram, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Goa's ancient rulers included the Rashtrakutas, Kadambas, Silahar, Chalukyas and the Bahamanis.

More recently, significant from the holidaymaker's point of view, Goa became a coveted colony of the Portuguese, remaining so till liberation by the Indian Army granted it Union Territory status, later upgraded to State of the Indian Republic.

It is to this fact, perhaps more than any other, that a Goa holiday owes its special appeal. For, had Goa been a British colony, history would have been written very differently. Under Portuguese domination, the Iberian culture found a ready crucible to amalgamate with the original sensuous, fun loving Goan spirit. The best of what both worlds had to offer was assimilated into one people, leading to a flowering of the aesthetic, musical, even culinary arts.

The spirit of Sucegado - carefree enjoyment and tranquil peace is probably Goa's most important, if intangible, export to the leisure holiday industry. Also reflected in his 'happy' acceptance of the Portuguese cultural invasion is the Goan's inherent adaptability and willingness to mix, qualities that hold the holiday and tourism industry in good stead.

A melting pot of races and religions, the fusion of the Eastern and Western cultures into its own unique ethos of mirth and self-contentment is what attracts Indian and foreign tourists, choc-a-bloc, to holiday in Goa.

Such a thriving holiday destination on the world tourism chart, Goa has many attractions to offer. Carefree beach bumming in the true spirit of Sucegado, adventure, watersports, high culture, churches and the appealing anachronism of Old Goa, wild party hopping, culinary adventures ? Goa's holiday tourist is charmingly eclectic in his calling.

Beaches Holidays in Goa

India's unchallenged beach capital, Goa's coastline is generously sprinkled with sand and surf: From popular tourist spots where one usually sees more skin than sand, to untouched havens that are worth taking that extra trouble to discover.

Starting from Calangute in North Goa , clustered around Panaji, the capital of Goa, and further down, Margao in South Goa, are the most popular beaches on the tourism circuit. These are thickly surrounded by the usual agencies of tourism - hotels and facilities offering modern day luxuries, restaurants, shops, resorts, entertainment centers, spas, resorts, the works.

Outside this ring, moving either North from Calangute or South of Margao the Goa's beaches become refreshingly more pristine and unpopulated. There, it's just the sea, surf washed sand, sparkling or alternatively shaded by abundant palms fronds, and you!

Some of Goa's Popular Holiday Beaches

Vagator: 22 km from Panaji, this crescent shaped beach on the Chapora River basin, in the shadow of the Chapora Fort, is a quiet place to unwind, but during the holiday season is a scene for all night parting.

Anjuna: 18 km from Panaji, nestled between the sea and hill, this is a scenic beach with superb natural beauty makes for an excellent holiday.

Baga: One of Goa's northern beaches, it is comparatively emptier and surrounded by scenic beauty.

Calangute: A favourite with holidaymakers, Calangute in North Goa, 15 km from Panaji, is the 'Queen of Beaches'. The down side of holiday rush means that this stretch of sand is overcrowded at any time of the year.

Sinquerim: 13 km from Panaji, Sinquerim is a popular holiday beach for its water sports facilities offering water-skiing, para-sailing diving and surfing.

Miramar: Located just 3 kms from Panaji, it understandably sees the tourist rush and is dotted with holiday homes of the rich and famous. However, lying along the mouth of the Mandovi River as it meets the sea, it is interesting for its view of the Aguada fort.

Aguada : Famous for the17th century Portuguese fort, this has now been converted into a Hotel. Though it's grounds occupy much of the area around, the beach is open to general tourists.

Agonda: Secluded, this beautiful stretch of silvery sand is refreshing - just the holiday to unwind on the sand and listen to stories of the sea. The nearby Cabo de Rama is historically interesting. Local legend has it that Lord Rama stayed here with Sita during his exile.

Majorda: A local version of the 'Ramayana' has it that Ram was kidnapped as a child and brought up at Majorda. Later Jesuits discovered the best Goan toddy here and today's holiday attractions remain the bakeries, the best in Goa.

Colva: 39 km from Panaji and immensely popular, Colva offers a comfortable holiday with hotels, discos, shops and restaurants. Colva is also famous for the Church of Our Lady of Mercy, which has the statue of Menino Jesus.

Benaulim: Less than 2 kms from Colva, this lovely holiday destination also has thriving handicrafts center attracts tourists for its traditional rosewood furniture. The Church of St. John the Baptist on a hill is quite famous as is the monsoon feast of Sao Joao celebrated as thanksgiving.

Varca, Cavelossim, Mobor: These beaches south of Benaulim are really inviting. Cleaner and less crowded than others, they are studded with some exclusive beach resorts in Goa and food shacks. A holiday here also offers opportunities for watching wild dolphins.

Palolem: 70 km south of Panaji, this white sandy beach is some commercial activity, including restaurants and shops. Weekends especially tend to get crowded here.

CHURCHES IN GOA- HOLIDAYS

Another contribution of the Portuguese rule to Goa's holiday potential is the occurrence of splendid churches, especially in Old Goa. Originally spread with passionate fervour by the former rulers, Goa, Rome of the East, sees the dominant influence of Christianity, both in the religious and cultural spheres. Visible expressions of this are the Churches of Old Goa. Historically, these can be classified into the following periods, reflecting changing architectural styles and iconography.

Early Period: Typified by Goa's oldest surviving church, Our Lady of Rosary on Monte Santo in the 'Manueline' style named after King Emmanuel of Portual. This is a blend of Gothic and Renaissance with the motifs featuring Portuguese seamanship. The construction being unsuited to Goa's weather, very few of these can be seen by tourists today. Baroque Period: 'Golden Goa' time of hectic missionary activity including the arrival of St. Francis Xavier, saw many grand churches in the contemporary European style built. These include the Basilica of Bom Jesus and the Augustine Church of Our Lady of Grace.

Indian Baroque Period: Reflecting local Goan influences in style and design, including the outer façade and inclusion of tropical motifs such as flowers and fruits. Outstanding amongst these are the Church of St. Francis of Assisi and the Church of Holy Spirit, Margao. Rococo Period: Typified by the smaller size of construction but with excuisite ornate finishing with local motifs, it is also known by the use of Stucco on the exterior façade. St, Stephen at San Esteyan near Panaji is a notable example.

Modern Period: Starting from the nineteenth century onwards, this period saw the liberation of Goa's churches from the rigid norms of the past as different styles flowered. An example is the Nossa Senhora employing the gothic style. Most churches in Goa continue to fulfill their spiritual purpose, revered by Hindus and Christians alike, while also serving as artistic and cultural attractions for tourists.

Goan Hindu Temples

Goan Hindu Temple architecture is another tourist attraction of a Goan Holiday, typified by the influence of local style over the rigid architecturally rigid structure. The maratha influence on Goa's religious architecture lies in the Deepmal or Lamptower which is from two to six stories high, decorated with oil lamps on festive occasions. Mughal influence seems to express itself in the dome that covers the central shrine in place of the traditional shikhara, as also the Naubat Khana - a small tower at the entrance of the courtyard. Portuguese Christian influence is visible in the curving roofs of the Mandapas.

Not many of Goa's earliest temples survived the Moghul and later the Portuguese invasions (exceptions are the "Pandava Caves" dedicated to Lord Shiva, located at Aravelam and the Shiva Temple at Tambdi), which saw temples being razed and churches erected in their place. As a result most surviving temples that the tourist in Goa comes across are comparatively modern. The Mahalaxmi Temple in Panaji was the first temple allowed by the Portuguese, following much deliberation, in 1818.

Goan Cuisine

Food is another attraction for the tourist in Goa. Touring in Goa is a wonderful way to encounter Goa's inimitable cooking is as much a mélange of different cultural invasions as its art, music, culture and literature. The staple for Hindus and Christians alike is rice and fish curry. And while tourist's taste buds succumb to the temptations of Ambot Tik (Prawns/fish in a sour hot gravy), Sorpotel (fiery wet pork) and Xacuti (spicy meat dish), washed down with Feni (a pungent potent brew made from cashew nuts) it can be too much for the uninitiated palate to handle. Deserts in Goa come in the form of sinfully delicious Dodol (made from coconut and Goa jaggery) and Bebinca (a baked dish with coconut juice and egg yolk)

Truly, this amazing pot-pourri of beach, nature, food and drink, culture and kitsch, religious fervour and profanity and fun galore that represents tourism in Goa would be hard to find anywhere else in the world.

By Roozbegh Gazdar


Hawaii Volcano Tour

A Hawaii volcano tour can be a most memorable experience, and is readily available (short of eruptions!) year round. While each island boasts some volcanic heritage, The Big Island is where all the action is.

A Hawaii volcano tour of necessity begins in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, established in 1916. This park, containing more than 218,000 acres, is open daily and offers guided tours and more. It encompasses both the world's most massive volcano, Mauna Kea, at 13,796 feet, and Kilauea, the world's most active volcano. Mauna Kea, which in Hawaiian means literally "white mountain", gets this name from the fact that it is quite often snow-capped. It is also thought to be the world's tallest mountain when measured from it's undersea base to the summit. Currently dormant, Mauna Kea has also become the home of an important astronomical center, where astronomers from all over the world vie for spots atop the summit to view the heavens.

Kilauea, which has been in continual eruption since 1983, gives visitors on a Hawaii volcano tour stunning views of molten lava flows, steam vents, and vast lava fields. It is said that this eruption has added more than 500 acres to the Big Island since it's eruption! One more fascinating tidbit about Kilauea, is that perched atop the crater rim overlooking the caldera is the Volcano House, Hawaii's oldest continually-operated hotel, dating from 1846. Probably not hard to keep warm at night!

On Maui, one volcano not to overlook is Haleakala, a dormant volcano in the middle of the island, long renowned for it's fantastic sunsets. It's also a great place to hike or camp, and especially ride a bike down! (Very Cool!) Good reason to go to Maui. (As if you needed one!)

When you plan your Hawaii volcano tour, be sure to plan some time to take in some or all of these sights. You'll be forever changed!

By Keith Thompson


PaintBall Gun Buying Tips

There are so many selections available when it comes to paintball guns that choosing one can be overwhelming.

The most important thing is to make sure that you have done research on the guns that you are interested in buying. Research them on the Internet and ask the more experienced players for their opinions on the guns in question. Make an initial trip to the store, or webpage, to look over the guns and make a list of the ones that you are interested in purchasing. Then do your research.

You want to make sure that the gun is constructed well. The parts should work, fit right, and be durable. Paintball guns take quite a bit of abuse, so your gun must be durable. Remember that metal is stronger than plastic. Depending on the playing environment that you will use the majority of the time, you may not want a flashy, colorful gun. These will stand out and make you a target. Choose black or dark colors.

The weight of the gun matters. Keep in mind that you will be carrying the gun, and even running with it. If it is too heavy for you, do not buy it. Walk around with the gun for several minutes in the store to get a feel for it if possible.

Is the gun simple to operate? If not, you may not want that gun. You want a gun that is easily maintained and easy to operate. Make sure the gun is upgradeable. You may want to add more features to your gun later.

When a new gun comes on the market, do not rush out to buy it. Give it some time and see what the reviews and opinions from the players who did rush out to buy it are. If you are new to the game, you should rent the gun and other equipment for a while. This will give you the opportunity to see what you like in a gun before you spend your money.

Make sure that the gun has a safety device on it. This protects you, and those around you. Also, check the warranty on the gun. A one-year warranty is typical. Finally, look at the price. There are some expensive guns out there. However, a higher price does not mean higher quality. Just know exactly what you want from a gun, do your research, and then find one that meets your specifications in your price range.

By Chirstopher Reeve


Finding Adventure In Little Things

We recently planted our saskatoon berry trees. I am sure those of you who live in Saskatchewan know exactly what I am talking about. For the 99.99999% of Internet readers who have never even heard of Saskatchewan, let alone of saskatoon berries, allow me to explain.

Saskatoon is the name of one of the two big cities in Saskatchewan. In this case, "big" is a relative word. But Saskatoon is big enough to have a food named after it, which puts it in the same league as Hamburg (hamburgers), France (French fries) and Iceland (ice).

Saskatchewan is a small Canadian province. Small in that its population can comfortably fit onto the deck of a luxury cruise liner ... except who would want to do that in the middle of the bone-dry Canadian prairies? In land area, Saskatchewan is actually almost as big as Texas, although most of their hats are well short of ten-gallons.

That leaves plenty of room for trees to grow. But Saskatchewan is not known for trees. It is known for its prairies. In fact, there are jokes about Saskatchewan and trees.

"How many people does it take to plant a tree in Saskatchewan?" "Are you kidding? Even God couldn't do that?"

"What do you call a tree in Saskatchewan?" "Wishful thinking."

"If you run off the road in northern Saskatchewan, would you hit a tree?" "No, the tree is in the south."

Which brings us to the saskatoon berry trees we just planted. Apparently, trees DO grow in Saskatchewan. Well, almost. I read the seed package. "Grows three to 12 feet high." A three-foot tall tree? Can you really call that a tree? What if I mow right over it?

So before even planting them, the saskatoon berry trees were proving to be an adventure. We were planting seeds for a tree too small to be a tree from a place that supposedly does not grow trees. But adventure is fun.

The package instructions said to plant the seeds while it is still cold outside - when your fingers can become good and numb. We put on our parkas and rounded up our dogsleds and stepped out from our igloo. OK, it was not quite that cold.

The instructions said to plant the seeds about the depth of one-to-two times the length of the seed. I measured the seed. Actually, the seed was too small to measure. Just a touch larger than a celery seed. The package must have erred. According to my measurements, I would burry the seeds with even a couple grains of sand on top.

I did my best.

Little Lady, our always-eager-to-be-helpful toddler, placed the markers to remind us where we planted the seeds. We used short sticks with plastic glow-in-the-dark stars on top. These were, in fact, made for sticking in the snow to line the driveway at Christmastime, but they seemed fitting markers for such bizarre plants.

The phone rang that evening. "Did you plant something really strange today?" our neighbor asked. "You have stars on sticks poking out of the ground. And they are glowing in the dark. Did you buy the seeds near the nuclear power plant?"

We explained that the glow-in-the dark sticks were just to mark where we planted our saskatoon berry trees. "Ooh, what do saskatoon berries taste like?" She asked. I had no idea. I had tasted them in jam many years ago on a business trip to Saskatchewan, but I do not even remember if I liked them. The seeds were actually a gift from a friend.

But life is an adventure, and three years from now I can tell you what the berries taste like. Can't you just taste a good adventure?


By David Leonhardt


Ireland Golf Vacations - Top Tips To Help You Plan an Ireland Golf Vacation

Live your golfing dreams on an Ireland golf vacation.

The K Club, Ballybunion, Lahinch, Doonbeg, Druids Glen? the names of the courses may not trip off the tongue quite as easily as those of their Scottish cousins but the quality is just as high. An Ireland golf vacation will introduce you to some of the grandest, most charming, most testing and most mystical golf courses in the world. You'll return home with your putter coated in magic and with memories to fill after dinner tales for decades to come.

An Ireland golf vacation is special - unique even - don't miss the chance to come.

There is no finer place to play golf in the whole world than in Ireland. You might yearn to feel the Atlantic breeze tugging at your sweater as you wend your way between the high sand dunes on a coastal links. Or you may prefer the lush and rich emerald green of an inland pasture studded with silver bunkers and flower banks. All of this and more is here for you if you care to venture on an Ireland golf vacation.

Ireland has always created great golfers and recent Ryder Cup matches have turned on the skills (and, perhaps, the legendary luck) of the Irish. The next Ryder Cup will be played in Ireland and worldwide interest in visiting this most welcoming of islands has never been greater.

For many visitors to Ireland or Scotland the chance to play on an ancient seaside links course is a large part of the attraction. But links golf does provide a unique experience and will test both your stamina and your golf game in a way entirely unlike anything you might have previously experienced. The wind has the remarkable knack of always blowing in your face - no matter what direction you're facing.

Links courses rarely allow electronic golf buggies or golf carts. Walking is the rule. This is partly to protect the courses and partly because the terrain would make it impossible to drive a buggy safely. Some of the larger more prestigious courses may have caddies available and most will allow you to pull a simple club carrying golf cart or trolley.

One of the joys of an Ireland golf vacation is that even the grandest of the courses and clubs will welcome visitors. Book ahead to ensure a tee time and visit the website of the club ahead of your visit. Get a feel for local rules about dress and etiquette. Pick a lucky shamrock, warm yourself with a drop of local whiskey and swing away for the game of your life.

The world is full of golf courses but there is no country can boast as many shining jewels as Ireland. An Ireland golf vacation can make your golfing dream a reality. Grab you clubs and bag - lets go today.

You can discover the possibilities of an Ireland golf vacation in more detail on writer Gary Hill's website. Read about the skills needed for successful golf on a seaside links course. Use the list of courses and website information to plan your trip. Book an all in one Ireland golf vacation package or take the plunge and do it all yourself. All the information you will need for a successful Ireland golf vacation trip is available - along with help in planning a european vacation package.

By Gary


Amazing Trek Across TIbet!

Today Bookpleasures and Sketchandtravel are pleased to have as our guest, Brandon Wilson, author of Yak Butter Blues.

In 1992, Brandon and his wife Cheryl travelled 40 days from early October to the end of November in 1992 over 1000 kilometers travelling along the ancient pilgrimage route across Tibet. Evidently, they were one of the first Western couples to trek this ancient route alongside, by the way, a horse they named Sadhu.

Good day Brandon and thank you for accepting our invitation to be interviewed.

Norm: Brandon, could you tell our readers something about yourself and your wife Cheryl, and why did you want to trek across Tibet and did you ever had any fears prior to your journey?

Brandon: Tashi delek, Norm! We had been travelling for years as budget travelers, traveling light, with only a backpack to sustain us for months on end. In the process, we'd made our requisite trip around the world for a year and had seen many of civilization's greatest achievements. We'd also traveled overland across Africa for nine months (which is the subject of my book to be released in 2005, Dead Men Don't Leave Tips.) So, we were ready for a more intense experience something more in line with that of the great explorers.

Our decision to attempt to trek from Lhasa, Tibet to Kathmandu, Nepal sprung from the notion that this was the ultimate adventure. Everyone grew up with the legend of a Shangri-La, that fanciful place from James Hilton's Lost Horizon. The more that I read about Tibet, the more I was fascinated by its remoteness, inaccessibility, and its exotic reputation.

Then, as luck would have it, we were told several times that this trek had never been done by a Western couple and that it was "impossible!" That ultimately sealed our fate.

As far as "fears" prior to the journey, first, I had real concerns that we wouldn't be allowed into Tibet as independent travelers, since the border had been closed to them for many years. A Chinese organized group tour was simply out of the question for us.

Then, although we were assured the trip was "impossible" due to lack of food, water, accommodations, and maps, personally I was more worried about the weather. Knowing the severity of weather conditions in the Himalayas, would we be able to reach the lower altitudes of Nepal in time before the roads closed, stranding us until May's thaw?

Finally, I must admit that I was also wary about the reaction of Uzi-toting Chinese soldiers along the way, as well as the various cadres of bureaucrats unused to dealing with outsiders. Guess I'd prefer to deal with nature any day, rather than the vagaries of human nature.

Norm: What were the most harrowing experiences you encountered during your journey?

Brandon: It's a toss-up. This entire journey was chock-full of uncertainty. The spectre of running out of food and water was a daily concern. Where would we stay? Would our bodies be able to physically able to make 1000 kilometers at 12-17,000 foot altitude for 40 days?

But I'd have to say that the most singularly harrowing experience we had was being shot at by Chinese soldiers as we overlooked Mt. Everest from a hilltop in Tingri. What do you do?

As second runner-up, I'd nominate that morning where we awoke to a blinding blizzard and realized that we still needed to press on.

Norm: What impressed you most of all about the trip?

Brandon: First, we were impressed by the unexpected generosity of the Tibetan people. Originally we packed a tent, stove and fuel for the trek, expecting to be totally on our own along the way. However, after our first night spent camping in a potato patch, we were taken-in by local villagers who shared their meager possessions, including yak butter tea and a warm spot around their fire. We really grew to look forward to these human exchanges, even though we had to rely on clumsy sign-language and a limited phrasebook to communicate. Fortunately, we started to run into former monks who'd received training in Nepal and still spoke limited English.

Through talking to them, we became better informed about the hardships of living in Tibet today under the Chinese Communist occupation. We learned that Tibetans are prevented from making pilgrimages along the same route that we trekked into Nepal, as they've done for centuries.

So the trip for us became more than just an "adventure" trek. It became a political statement. If we could make their trek as pilgrims, we'd show to the Chinese that it could be done, even by Westerners, without disrupting the geo-political balance of power.

In fact, on the trek's conclusion, we presented a set of prayer flags to the king of Nepal's personal representative at the palace with the hope that the king would fly them as a symbol of solidarity with the Tibetan Buddhists.

Finally, we were impressed by the unwavering faith shown by many of the Tibetans. At night, in the dark stillness of their homes, we shared photos of His Holiness the Dalai Lama with them that we had secreted into the country. Gingerly holding the photo, they touched it to the foreheads of the members of their family, blessing them. Then drawing back several layers of curtains, they reverently placed it in their private altar beside other statues and holy instruments.

After over 40 years of oppression and death, could we still be so patient or retain so much faith?

Norm: If you had to do it all over again in 2004, would you still jump at the opportunity? As a follow up, would you advise anyone else to follow in your footsteps and what are the possible dangers they may encounter today?

Brandon: Frankly, no. This trek is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. From what I've read since then, and I receive Tibetan news every day now, the country has vastly changed especially Lhasa. As inundated as it was then with Chinese settlers, solders and foreign culture, it is even more so today. Now, they're in the process of completing a railroad line into Lhasa from western China, so the transformation will be accelerating, the assimilation complete. The world saw the same effect in Inner Mongolia and Manchuria with the arrival of the railroad.

With that said, I'd love to return, perhaps to the more remote Mustang region this time, far removed from the propaganda tours. Of course this is assuming I would be granted a visa. Writing this book has certainly made that possibility more remote&

However, I would advise readers to explore any part of the world that interests them by walking. There is nothing so satisfying as discovering a culture one-step-at-a-time. This is a traditional way of exploration which creates total immersion in a culture: its food, history, art, architecture, people, language and nature. I like to think of it as a walking meditation, too. You place your body on "auto-pilot" and travel outside, while traveling within.

If readers are interested in this rewarding mode of travel, they can check out several options on my WEB SITE where I have free "how-to" articles about walking some of Europe's most spectacular pilgrimage routes, along with web links for more information.

Walking across Tibet was the beginning of this, my latest passion.

Norm: How would you describe the relationship with your wife after the trip? Reading the book, I noticed there were some tense moments between you both during the adventure.

Brandon: I really admire Cheryl's courage and willingness to take a chance. Traveling with daily hardship, uncertainty, and often life-threatening situations, will put any relationship to the test. Fortunately ours survived and this experience provided an even stronger foundation. If we could survive that, why, we could survive anything.

Norm: Did you keep a daily journal while you were travelling?

Brandon: Of course. It was sometimes hard to find the energy or time at the end of one of these 14-hours days to sit down and write. But I wanted this account of our journey to be real, raw, and authenticnot some romanticized notion of adventure travel. To capture that essence (while the blisters were still fresh) was vital. Time heals all wounds, as they say, and if you wait to write about it all later you lose much of the minutiae of the moment until it becomes merely a Disney version of your memorywithout the dancing hippos, of course.

Norm: After you returned home, did you write any magazine articles about your adventure or did you lecture anywhere about it?

Brandon: I wrote magazine and newspaper articles about the experience, and would have liked to lecture about the journey and situation in Tibet. Living in Hawaii, there's always a logistical problem and cost of traveling outside the islands.

Now that the book is published, if there's great enough interest throughout North America, I would welcome the chance to talk to groups about this life-changing experience and about the Tibet we grew to appreciate.

Norm: Why did you choose the title Yak Butter Blues for your book?

Brandon: Well, as a global citizen, I was so disturbed by seeing the destruction of this ancient culture; the dismantling of temples, the corruption of monastic life; the re-education of a population where the children are prevented from learning Tibetan in schools; the removal of Tibetan food and clothing from the stores, plus the mass settlement of Han Chinese into Tibet causing Tibetans to become a minority in their country.

It is reaching the point where yak butter tea, that nourishing food that has traditionally fed and sustained a people throughout the centuries will soon be all that remains of an enlightened culture, while all the world looks away. These are the "Yak Butter Blues."

(Besides, I liked the kind of Kerouac-ian ring to it!)

Norm: Did you ever hear any news about your horse Sadhu you left behind?

Brandon: The Internet is an amazing tool. Although we wrote to his new owner, the fellow who ran the Kathmandu guesthouse, shortly after our return home, we never heard back from him. Just recently, I "Googled" the hostel and was able to reach his brother.

Sadly, Sadhu, our old friend, passed away a couple of years ago at a very ripe old age. He spent his last years in a luxury resort, but will always be remembered by us as the only Tibetan we could bring to freedom.

Norm: Have you kept in contact with anyone you may have met during your trip?

Brandon: Unfortunately not. We sent copies of some of the photos we took along the journey to families we'd met, as our way of thanking them. That's all.

Norm: How long did it take you to write the book?

Brandon: The first draft of the book was written in a few months. After that, it was revised through several drafts. Then I added the most current news on Tibet I could find, sorted through photos, and incorporated some of the simple truths which were initially planted in the mountains of Tibet and blossomed along more recent pilgrimage treks.

Norm: How are you going to market the book?

Brandon: Ah, the ultimate question! I consider this, in many ways, an extention of the journey. Perhaps, in retrospect, it is just as difficult with over 100,000 books released each year.

We're reaching out to supporters of a free Tibet, colleges and universities, libraries, adventure travelers, trekking and outdoor organizations, newspapers, international adventure magazines, Buddhist and dharma groups, Indians & Nepalese, and independent bookstores to help get the word out. Much of this has been started and we use the Internet a lot to let people know about our web site.

The national reviews so far have been excellent and I'm awaiting others from abroad. Yak Butter Blues is currently listed on Internet bookseller sites from Europe to North America to Japan and Australia/New Zealand.

I'm also writing and sending articles to related sites and creating links, especially to the vast, displaced Tibetan community, as it is their story as much as our own.

Since book promotion these days ultimately rests with the author, I'm participating in book signings and interviews to further develop interest. As I said, if I find there's a great enough interest in presentations, I might be tempted to put together some sort of North American tour. Whatja think?

Finally, after all those small moments along the trail where we felt like we owed our survival to some mysterious force, we have learned to "have faith," to trust that we were meant to have this journey and that I was meant to write this book.

I can only trust that once again we will be blessed and that our audience will find us along life's trail.

Meanwhile, if readers would like a first-hand look at our journey, complete with a sample chapter, maps, photos, Tibetan music and Tibet/Trekking/Peace links, please drop into my WEB SITE. Then take a moment to sign our guest book, email me, tell your friends, or post a review at Amazon.com. Namaste!

Thanks Brandon and I wish you good luck in all of your future endeavours. _________________________________________________________________

By Norm Goldman


The Cast of Culture in South Africa

Drive along one of South Africa's scenic strips and you will notice a landscape composed of a backdrop of wide open spaces, blue mountains and blood-red sunsets. These scenes abound, but given the nature of the culture in South Africa, your attention could swiftly switch to a small boy gallantly escorting herds of cattle, end to end, over a rainbow-like walkway crossing one of the largest and busiest highways in South Africa. Culture makes Africa special and aside from beautiful landscapes, this kind of exuberant and contrasting culture in South Africa is what you really should experience.

Imagine this scenario for a moment: You are hopelessly stranded deep inside the African interior, without a spare tyre and waiting for help. You prepare to flag down the first car that passes by. "When will that be?" you think to yourself. Time wears on. You picture yourself dragging your dehydrated self over the many kilometres of parched semi-arid terrain towards the nearest town, while hordes of hungry vultures looming overhead contemplate you for lunch.

Thankfully, a small, dust-battered truck pulls up and this nightmarish vision quickly dissolves. Tough looking men gaze out of the back of the truck, peering at you with hardened looks acquired through labouring this tough, untamed land. The uncertainty and tension is broken by their sympathetic smiles and they drive you, happily and with good cheer, to the nearest service station and back to your car where you are kindly helped to fit your newly repaired tyre.

Now that you're safely back on the road you begin to realize the meaning of genuine hospitality, known within the culture in South Africa as 'geselligheid'. Thankful that you have just had the actual experience (a certain something you felt) you now have a connection, whole-heartedly, with the people and culture in South Africa.

This is not a heat-induced delusion or an isolated event. It is the actual story of one of our clients, who broke down while driving across the arid West Coast diamond fields of Namibia. Travellers have confirmed many of these kind-hearted acts that have occurred during their experimental African odysseys.

Perhaps it has to do with the land itself or its unrestricted nature. The reason why people help each other, whether a stranger or a friend. This doesn't mean South Africa is a nation of altruistic saints. Leave your camera in your car on a downtown side-street and the chances of it being there after lunch are less than great.

What then is being said of this country? These vast unspoilt spaces and unbridled wildernesses. This wild place where the civilised nature and unique culture of its people are measured by the kind-hearted attitude experienced so frequently by many travellers.

What is the simple reason so many of our visitors from the Northern Hemisphere return here again and again? It can only be found in the actual experience of South Africa's culture and the friendship of its people.

The many answers to this question can be shown over and over in the friendly smiles you receive walking through a township market; in the respect and tolerance shown, visiting the sacred sites and cultural icons of the people; and in the greetings and genuine concern felt while within the hospitable arms of local establishments.

Perceptions about "Africa" have been changing slowly, but they are nonetheless changing. Foreign visitors used to believe that herds of elephants roamed the dusty streets of local areas and that to go hiking alone in the pristine African hills meant meeting lions, giant spiders and possibly being attacked by masked warriors with six foot spears.

The herds of elephants do exist, relegated to the African game farms existing in remote areas throughout the continent. The pristine hills stretch from one end of the Cape Peninsula to the other, like a giant smile peering down over the valleys below, but the wild beasts have long since been tamed and the hills are safely open to all who would venture into them.

If you are looking for the archetypal African adventure, laden with richly diverse wildernesses and infinite possibilities, come and experience the warmth and hospitality characteristic of this country. Trust South Africa to set the stage and the cast to be our culture.


Top Five African Safari Destinations

Any vacations in Africa will not be complete without going on a safari to experience the wild animals and the peace and tranquillity of the bushveld.

But there are literally hundreds of national parks and wildlife areas in Africa that you can travel to. And some are definitely better than others when it comes to providing the potential for a great safari holiday.

In my experience, and in the general consensus of the wildlife tour industry and other sources such as the first hand accounts of safari trips in the travel diaries at African Safari Journals, here are the top five safari vacations in Africa:

1. Tanzania - Serengeti

During the annual migration, when the wildebeest and zebra pack up and leave their grazing areas to find fresher ones, the Serengeti is an astonishing place to be.

It's a very good safari vacations in Africa destination at other times of the year too but the migration has been ranked by many as one of the wonders of the natural world.

Hard to beat in the safari stakes.

2. Kenya - Masai Mara

If you want to see the big cats, this wildlife park is hard to beat. Lion, leopard and cheetah abound and they are relatively easy to spot because of the grassland vegetation which means you get unrestricted views for miles around.

Another big plus is the fact that going off-road is allowed as long as you are not making new trails of your own. This is one of the few vacations in Africa parks that still allows this and it is a big advantage because the animals will rarely oblige you and stay next to the major roads.

The only downside here is that because of it's popularity there are a lot of people around so if you want to spend time in isolation with nature this is not the place to go.

3. South Africa - Kruger National Park

For sheer variety of species no other place in Africa can come close to the Kruger Park. And because it is so large (larger than Wales) it has a number of different ecosystems that you can pass through in your search for animals and birds.

It is one of the best managed parks in Africa and the accommodation and infrastructure is superb.

4. Botswana - Selinda Reserve

Seasoned safari travellers rate this reserve in north Botswana extremely highly and they return to it again and again, drawn by the very high concentration of wildlife, high standard of accommodation, service and exclusivity.

5. Zambia - South Luangwa National Park

South Luangwa is a diamond in the rough, just waiting for enough exposure to bring it to its rightful place at the crown of vacations in African wildlife destinations.

But for the moment it's relative isolation as one of Africa's best kept secrets is part of it's rustic charm.

It has a reputation as one of the best places in Africa to see the elusive leopard and it is the birthplace of the walking safari.

By Bruce Whittaker


Scuba diving in South Africa

This truly beautiful country at the southern tip of dark and mysterious Africa offers diving and wildlife experiences beyond your wildest dreams...

Whether you want to dive sharks and wrecks on rugged wild coasts, or simply relax with whales and dolphins and enjoy pristine coral reefs and abundant wildlife, this should definately be your next diving destination.

Scuba diving in South Africa is a fast growing sport and of a high standard. All major organization's qualifications are recognized and good quality dive gear is easily hired. Foreign divers are welcomed with typical South African hospitality and are without exception made to feel at home.

The coastline ranges from about 35°S to 27°S, and that means that one has a choice of diving in the cold waters of the Cape Province, the warmer waters of KwaZulu Natal or the tropical waters of Mozambique.

The Cape Province is mostly good for wrecks, white sharks, kelp and colourful sponges. KwaZulu Natal is primarily for mantas, rays, sharks, wrecks, whales, dolphins, turtles, reef and pelagic fish, hard and soft coral reefs, and Mozambique for whale sharks, mantas, turtles, dugongs and tropical hard coral reefs.

Most of the diving are done from semi-rigid boats, with a few hard boat and shore entries. The only "liveaboards" are found in Mozambique and are not of international standard and size.


Senin, 14 Juli 2008

Shark Pictures Not The Real Thing

Pictures of a massive dead Great White shark on the back of a bakkie are doing the rounds on email with the subject line saying "Caught at Monwabisi and Strandfontein Beach yesterday" - but experts have dismissed it as a hoax.

The grim pictures show the shark with a hook and trace still attached. Kalk Bay harbour master Pat Stacey says the pictures appear to have been taken in Australia.

He said it was virtually impossible for a shark that size to be caught and for it to be kept quiet. "Someone will always tell us and the trek fishermen would also report it."

Stacey believes it was someone simply trying to cause a sensation. Anyone who killed a Great White faced 10 years in prison or a R50 000 fine.

Earlier, a vigilante group threatened to bait Great Whites with chickens stuffed with broken glass and to shoot every shark in False Bay, after Tyna Webb, 77, was killed by a shark at Fish Hoek. But Mike Meyer of Marine and Coastal Management believes it was just hysteria.

He said at least three people had confirmed that the shark pictures had been taken years ago. "It's a hoax and just as well," he said. Meyer said Marine and Coastal Management had tried to track the origin of the email but it had been sent to so many people that it was difficult to find where it started.

He wished people would put the issue in perspective: "So few people are killed by sharks compared to hippos and other wild animals, yet there is so much hysteria around a shark attack."

And these weren't the first hoax pictures Meyer had seen.

"There is one that turns up every so often, of huge sharks near bathers off a beach in KwaZulu-Natal during a sardine run. But someone has just Photoshopped them in - we have the original picture in which there are no sharks."


Greek Food

A meal in Greece is highlighted with a selection of hot and cold plates known as mezedes. Soups are few but they are meals by themselves.

- The main course is a boiled or grilled meat/fish. There are also many delectable meat stews to choose from, as well as plain grilled cuts of meat and of course the well known charcoal grilled lamb or pork called souvlaki.

- Fish and shellfish are excellent in any kind of cooking. Salads are usually ordered with the main course and can consist fresh vegetables or cooked dandelions .

- Horiatiki, the traditional Greek salad, consists of tomato slices, cucumber slices, olives, peppers, onions and feta cheese dressed with oil and vinegar.

- Cheese, the most commonly offered in restaurants are feta (white semi-soft and salted), graviera (yellow hard), kasseri (yellow semi-soft), and manouri (unsalted creamy and fattening).

- Desserts, are a delectable treat, including baklava (consisting of strudel leaves and walnuts) and kataifi (which consists of nuts wrapped in shredded wheat with a honey sauce). During the summer as desserts are preferred large peaches , watermelonmelon, grapes and pears

- Greek coffee is like Turkish coffee. Greek coffee is always served with a glass of water.

Eating Establisments

There is a wide variety of eating establishments in Greece:

- Tavern, eating establishment with emphasis on the traditional cooking and mezedes.

- Psistaria, a barbecue style eating place.

- Estiatorion (restaurant), a conventional eating establishment.

- Psarotaverna (fish tavern), they specialise in fish and almost found by seaside or harbour side.

- Prices and Tipping, in Greece a 15% service charge is usually included in your bill. Menus are usually presented with two parallel price charts. On the left the price of the food and drink. On the right the same price with service and tax included. The service charge is ordained by Greek law so additional tipping is really a recognition of special service for special requests.


How to Grab a Bite to Eat and Help the Planet

You CAN grab something to eat, enjoy every bite, AND help the planet...

In fact, here are a few ways:

1. Try 'green' convenience foods.

Behold, convenience foods that are environmentally friendly, well priced and...yummy! Quick, stock up on pizza of all sorts, including PESTO, my fave...macaroni and cheese, chili, shepherd's pie, and lots more... 

One of the more frequently available brands of green frozen dinners is Amy's Kitchen. Like several other labels which I'm dying to try, these meals are made from organic ingredients and come in recycled (and recyclable) packaging. Oh, and yes, they are completely vegetarian, but you honestly wouldn't know it. Of course, it doesn't hurt that you can be eating within 10-20 minutes for most of these meals, either. Amy's has saved my butt many a dinner time, let me tell you!


Find a store that stocks Amy's products by clicking on the 'Buy Amy's' link at this site: http://www.amyskitchen.com or, go further afield for to try different options at http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com and http://www.ecomall.com/biz/food.htm.


2. Try a 'green' restaurant.

Yes, there is such a thing. 

In fact, when in the U.S., you can refer to the Green Restaurant Association's Directory of restaurants at http://www.dinegreen.com and find green coffee houses, delis, restaurants and more. These eating establishments have all been checked out, and regularly conserve energy, recycle, compost and just generally do their bit. Very cool indeed.

3. When eating fast food, try for little to NO garbage.

We all know fast food isn't the greatest for us, and yeah you guessed it, it isn't the greatest for the planet either, what with over-packaging, the emphasis on red meat, and many other things. But if you're going to eat it, I say, 'please enjoy.' And, while you're at it...here are a few things you can do to leave as little trash behind as possible.

- Eat in instead of taking out. Hey, it's fast already, so why not sit down at least?? Eating in means you don't get an extra paper bag to carry out. That bag usually gets used for a total of 5 seconds anyway right?

- Don't super-size, unless you have a legitimately super-sized appetite. This keeps leftovers out of the garbage. Very big deal!!

- Take only what condiments you need, and 'just say no' to that humungous wad of napkins they try to give you. Seriously, I think that's insulting actually...I have a burger, and I need ten napkins??! Giggle.

- Share a drink, skip the straw, ask for the cookie in your hand not a bag. Every little bit helps!


By Andrea J. Lee


Ultralight Backpacking Versus Traditional Backpacking

Contrary to what many think, ultralight backpacking is not just about the freedom to hike more miles or to take your whole pack up the mountain with you. It is also about comfort and safety. Backpackers with heavy loads work too hard and threaten their joints too much. Challenges may add to the experience, but why suffer more than is necessary?



The Disadvantages Of Traditional Backpacking



Lack Of Freedom

You can't easily take a side trip up that hill, just to see what is there. If you do it without your pack, you have to go back the same way to get your pack.



It's A Hassle

Putting on and taking off your heavy pack quickly becomes a chore. You start leaving it on even during rest stops, just so you don't have to deal with it.



It's Tiring

Backpacking is clearly more tiring with a heavy pack, and you probably won't enjoy yourself as much when you are tired.



More InjuriesSprained ankles, blistered feet, sore muscles, and back and knee problems are just some of the common consequences of too much weight on your back.



Slowness

More weight equals slower progress, which means less access to wild places (you can't go as far on your four-day trip), or it means less time to for enjoyable activities, like a swim in a mountain lake, or a relaxing evening in camp.



More Dangerous

More injuries, and the inability to move quickly when a storm is coming or an emergency requires you to get to a road, means that backpacking can actually be more dangerous with a heavy load. Add to that the possibility of bad decisions due to tiredness.



The Ultralight Backpacking Alternative

Done the right way, ultralight backpacking gives you more freedom, more comfort, more safety, more enjoyment and less suffering than traditional backpacking. It allows you to move faster, but notice that I say "allows." It doesn't require it. It just gives you the option. That's more freedom.

I have yet to meet or hear about a person who has tried lightweight backpacking for a while, and then gone back to a heavy load. I'm not saying it is for everyone. Bad ankles may require heavy hiking boots, and bad habits may require a big pack to satisfy them. But even a backpacker who needs a pillow and big rectangular sleeping bag, can find these in lighter forms.

You just can't understand the sense of liberation felt by a convert to ultralight backpacking, until you try it yourself. When I, with my eleven-pound pack, walk past overloaded backpackers struggling up steep trails, I remembered being in their place, and I know I am enjoying myself more now.



Misconceptions About Ultralight Backpacking



Lighweight Backpacking Means Sacrifice

Not so. Bring your favorite camera! A lighter load means you can stop to use it more easily. If you leave behind the things you don't need, and bring a lighter backpack, tent, and sleeping bag, you can more easily bring that telephoto lense or whatever is really important to you.



Lighweight Backpacking Is Less Safe

The opposite! Bring all the safety items; a sleeping bag, first aid kit, shelter, water purification, etc. Just bring lighter versions. A light load makes you less likely to lose your balance and fall, or to otherwise injure yourself. It also means faster response to iffy situations.

A note about safety:

It is lagely a matter of knowledge and experience. A trained survivalist will always be safer backpacking with no shelter than a neophyte with the best tent. Learn a little about how to use you equipment properly, or to read the sky for comimg storms, and you can go lighter and safer.



Lightweight Backpacking Is Less Comfortable

Is it less comfortable to have 18 pounds on your back than 50? Is it less comfortable to have an ultralight sleeping bag if it keeps you just as warm? I stopped getting blisters (totally) when I started using running shoes instead of hiking boots. Cut the weight on your back by twenty-five pounds, and you can add back a heavier coat, if that is what you need to be comfortable.



Lightweight Backpacking Is Expensive

Ultralight sleeping bags are expensive. Almost everything else needed for ultralight backpacking can be found for the same price or cheaper than traditional gear. There are many sub-three-pound backpacks under a hundred dollars, for example.



Bottom Line:

Try it. The first time you are fifteen miles into the day, and you realize that you can easily run up that hill-just to see what is there, you'll know you made the right decision.

By Steve Gillman


Spanish Courses in Spain

Spain: sun, sea, sand and Spanish... discover us! Spain, a golden country in the heart of Europe and gateway to the Americas. A mini continent blessed with sunshine and charisma and overflowing with culture, history, art, flamenco and mouth watering tapas.

A "true paradise" with something for everyone.

Spain offers a rich natural diversity with green mountains in the North, the flat centre, and heavenly beaches along the seemingly endless Southern and Eastern coasts.

The country is a perfect balance of the ancient world and the new, where traditional cathedrals sit side by side with modern architecture in the elegant remains of Roman and Moorish cities. Typical Mediterranean cuisine is found along with fast food restaurants; football matches share the arenas with bullfights, both arousing the same passion in the old and young alike.

Are you tired of trying to learn Spanish or improving your Spanish skills at home?

Quality Courses offers the most affordable way to learn Spanish in Spain. Here you can find the best Spanish Schools in the most attractive towns of Spain.

By Manu Rodriguez


How to Save Money AND help the planet

Don't all of us love to have the money to do the fun things that bring us joy? Not that all fun things require money, mind you, on the contrary! But have you ever wanted to read that awesome-looking new book, eat at that new green restaurant in town or throw a party for friends and family...only to be short a little cash?

Here are few tips:

1. Give your hot water tank a blanket. 

There's this neat thing called Reflectix, have you heard of it? Wow. It's basically insulation for your hot water tank...in the form of shiny aluminum foil, but slightly thicker. And just as easy to manipulate. Just roll out the amount needed, wrap your hot water tank, and secure it with a special shiny tape, almost like gift wrapping your tank. 

Net result? You'll save a bunch off your heating bills! And by saving energy to heat your water, you help the planet enormously! (Reflectix can also be used to insulate heating ducts.) Buy it in rolls of all different sizes at your local hardware store and go nuts!! Very cool stuff.

2. Grow your hair long OR...shave it all off.

Okay, call me crazy, but what is it with the hair thing? Cutting it off, letting it grow, trying this style, that style...I don't know about you, but I'm a real no-nonsense kind of gal. And a while back, I decided to let my hair grow and go as long as I could without a cut. (About six months.) It was quite liberating! And by conservative estimates, I saved probably close to $100 dollars in those six months! ($30 dollar haircut every two months, plus tip.) Of course, I had a style that didn't grow out, so I looked fine (or at least no one TOLD me I didn't.)

How does this help the planet, you ask? Well, as with all the money saving tips in this issue, the more money you save, the less you have to work for it. The less you have to work for it, the less you have to commute, use your car/gasoline, eat out for lunch/dinner...etc. etc. Get what I mean?

Whether man or woman, let me ask you this. What if you were to decide to let your hair grow and forego haircuts for a period of time? Or, go the other route like my husband Mike and shave it all off, that way you can do it yourself, every time! I don't think Mike's spent a cent on cutting his hair for nearly five years, and of course, he looks fab as always...


Radical? Maybe. But it does save money AND helps the planet. Think about it and maybe it's for you...even if it's just for a few months.

3. Sit on your toilet paper roll.

Giggle. Yes, you can help the planet and save money...by squishing your toilet paper roll before you put it on its holder. How's that? Well, simple really. By flattening your roll, (sitting on it, stepping on it, whatever) you make it harder to take too much toilet paper at once. You know how sometimes you give it too much of a yank, and there you have it, toilet paper all over? No use trying to roll it back up, right? Well, that's wasted paper and money.

By flattening it first, the roll moves slower, and you can take just the right amount. A great money and planet saving tip for ANYONE to try, from die hard environmentalists to newbies, especially if you make a point of buying the toilet paper with recycled paper content in it!

Go on, this is one you can try right now! Go squish your toilet paper rolls, then come back and finish reading. Yay! 

4.Speak up.

I'll finish off with a REALLY easy one okay? It promises to save you money AND help the planet...and it's fun too. A true-blue Joy to the Planet tip. And that is...speak up! Meaning...when in doubt, have a conversation. You really want to do something great for the planet? Well, you heard me right. Start talking. Pick any of the ten items on this list and talk about...how cool, how easy, how hard, how crazy...each is.

It's simple really. By having a conversation instead of going to the movies, to the mall, or out for food, you inevitably, inexorably, save money, and probably enjoy yourself more too! Who doesn't like a hearty chest-pounding yack-fest with a friend? At the same time, just talking about how to help the planet is a really low-tech, sure fire way to get people thinking more about these things, and that is a great thing. 

By Andrea J. Lee