Students Of Success

Santa Clause comes to us with several names. For some he is know as Saint Nicholas, and for others Father Christmas or quite simply Santa. While people interchange Santa and Father Christmas from an historical perspective they are two different persons.

It was Saint Nicholas of Myra, who lived in the 4th century in what is now modern day Turkey, who gave birth to the modern day Santa Clause. As bishop he developed a reputation for secret gift giving.

In the Western tradition the day of gift giving is on the 25th December while in the Eastern tradition the day for gift giving is New Years Day.

Most of us see Santa as a friendly, pot bellied sort of character who rides from house to house, through the sky, on a sleigh pulled by reindeer. It is possible that the tradition of ridding through the sky comes from a Germanic tradition where the god Wodam is seen riding a flying horse through the sky. The horse has eight legs, the same number of reindeer that Santa uses!

While Santa is portrayed as a jolly man giving out present to deserving children he is also used to keep children in check. Traditionally Irish children, and a large number of their European and American counterparts, hang up a stocking for their gifts but are told that if they are not good all year round, they will receive a lump of coal instead of a decent present.

In most traditions food or drink are left out for him to help him on his journey. In Ireland it is traditionally a bottle of Guinness, in America cookies and a glass of milk, in England he receives mince pies and sherry. No wonder then that he is perceived as a happy pot bellied character!

How then did St. Nicholas make the transformation from a bishop to a jolly old man with red cheeks. The transformation did not happen all at once but over a period of time and goes back before the American revolution to the time when the Dutch controlled what is now New York. When the Dutch arrived in America they took with them the legend of Saint Nicholas, at this stage he still dressed as a bishop.

In Washington Irving’s History of New York, Sinterklaas was Americanised to “Santa Claus” but lost his bishop’s apparel, and was at first pictured as a thick bellied Dutch sailor with a pipe in a green winter coat. Irving’s book was a lampoon of the Dutch culture of New York, and much of this portrait is his joking invention.

Santa Clauses robes changed over the years until in 1885 the modern costume was born. At around this time his horse was converted to reindeer and a sleigh, his slaves into elves and the date was moved forward to coincide with Christmas.

For those interested Santa’s eight reindeers were given their name in the popular poem by Clement Clarke Moore ‘the Night Before Christmas.’

Kevin Hart
http://www.christmas-worldwide.com - the family site for Christmas. http://www.abcwritersnetwork.co.uk - an invaluable resource for creative writers. Large data bank of writing contests.

Stanley Park is Vancouver’s famous urban paradise and I knew weeks in advance that I would need to explore it in detail, preferably on a bike. So this afternoon at about 1:30 pm I set off from the UBC Campus, and navigated my way downtown by bus, taking 3 buses to get to the eastern edge of Stanley Park. This was my first chance to glance at the city of Vancouver. It is a relatively new city and according to some accounts, its origins date back to 1792 , the year when Captain George Vancouver explored this region. Most buildings downtown west of Granville Avenue were built relatively recently as Vancouver has experienced a huge building boom over the last few years. A large part of downtown is covered by modern residential skyscrapers and Vancouver’s building frenzy continues unabated. It’s evident everywhere that this is a very popular place to live.

My rental bicycle was waiting for me at a place called Spokes Bicycle Rentals, a place that had been mentioned to me several weeks ago by the Vancouver’s Visitors Association. I met one of their managers, a young sporty guy named Phil who was extremely helpful in helping me lay out my itinerary for this discovery on two wheels. We started chatting and I found out that Phil is originally from Montreal and moved to Vancouver 3 years ago. He loves the outdoors and has gotten involved in snowboarding, mountainbiking and diving and he mentioned that Vancouver is among the world’s top dive sites.

After laying out my route for me and giving me information on all the important sights along the way, Phil selected a comfortable bicycle for me that would be able to handle leisure riding as well as some mild offroading. Once outfitted I hopped on the bike and started my tour along the seawall of Stanley Park. At 20 times the size of Central Park, Stanley Park is the 3rd largest urban park in North America, and its setting is just stunning. From the east side you have a view into downtown Vancouver towards Canada Place and the cruise boat terminal. Several ocean liners were docked in town.

One of the first major sights along the bike path are the Totem Poles, imposing in their height and number. I circled around Brockton Point towards the north-facing side of the peninsula, and a stunning view towards North Vancouver and the Lions Gate Bridge opened up. As per Phil’s advice, I cycled up to Beaver Lake which is a quiet little oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the seawall. It is a large pond surrounded by lush forest, covered in a water lilies. I cycled all the way around the pond and then headed back out to the seawall and quickly came to the Lions Gate Bridge which is surrounded by Prospect Point, the highest point in the park. From there I soon reached the northernmost point of Stanley Park and started cycling westwards again. Just past a single outlying rock called Siwash Rock I arrived at Third Beach that was just completely teeming with people. I bought a drink and relaxed for a while until I resumed my trip and passed a group of inukshuk builders close to Second Beach.

The crowds were intensifying and every conceivable spot on the burnt-out grass was taken up by sun-worshippers. The largest beach, located closest to the city, is English Bay Beach, replete with daytrippers. The crowds were a bit too much for me, so I crossed False Creek over the Burrard Bridge and explored Vanier Park and Kitsilano Beach. The view from the bridge is simply breathtaking. On the other side again there were thousands of people, barbequeing, sunworshiping, and picknicking.

I turned around and headed back on 4th Avenue, crossing back to downtown Vancouver via the Granville Street Bridge and headed straight across towards Canada Place and the seashore west of Burrard Street. Since my stomach was growling after about 3 hours of cycling, I returned the bycicle to Spokes and asked Phil for advice as to where to eat. He suggested an Italian place named Ciao Bella almost right across the street. I took his advice and plunked myself down on a nice patio and thoroughly enjoyed an Italian meal in the evening sunshine.

At 8 pm I was ready to head back to UBC and walked up to Robson Street, one of Vancouver’s main thoroughfares. Thousands of people were coming towards me since they were planning to catch the fireworks. The sidewalks were just totally full with people. I was walking in the opposite direction and ended up doing a quick little photographic tour of downtown, including the Hotel Vancouver. I saw a few more interesting buildings: the Vancouver Block and the Art Gallery of Vancouver.

Quite exhausted from a full day I started walking down Granville Avenue, still surrounded by throngs of people and had to wait 45 minutes for a bus since all buses were going down Davie Street to take people to the fireworks. Finally the bus came and I was listening to a bunch of teenage boys that were planning their under-age drinking escapades at the occasion of the fireworks. After a really long day I finally arrived back on the UBC campus at about 9:30 pm. Now it’s 11 pm and I can’t wait to hit the hay.

Susanne Pacher is the publisher of a website called Travel and Transitions(http://www.travelandtransitions.com). Travel and Transitions deals with unconventional travel and is chock full of advice, tips, real life travel experiences, interviews with travellers and travel experts, insights and reflections, cross-cultural issues, contests and many other features. You will also find stories about life and the transitions that we face as we go through our own personal life-long journeys.

Submit your own travel stories in our first travel story contest(http://www.travelandtransitions.com/contests.htm) and have a chance to win an amazing adventure cruise on the Amazon River.

“Life is a Journey Explore New Horizons”.

The interview with photos is published at Travel and Transitions - Interviews

Graphic Design Schools offer the skills and technological expertise needed to become a professional digital artist. Areas of Graphic Design instruction include website design, interactive media design, digital art production, digital publishing, 2D and 3D computer graphics, DVD authoring, vector graphics, animation, image processing, and many more.

At Graphic Design School, students learn to use a variety of software packages to create visual effects for movies, websites, video games, and other graphic design fields. Graphic Design Schools offer college degrees including an Associate of Arts in Business Administration (AABA) in Visual Communication; a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, Graphics, and Multimedia; and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communication. An associate degree may suffice for technical positions, but a bachelor’s degree is required for most other positions.

Graduates of Graphic Design School can find employment in specialized design services; printing and related support activities; book, newspaper, periodical, and directory publishing; or advertising and related services. Some designers find positions in engineering services or for scientific, management, or technical consulting firms. Another area of employment for the Graphic Design professional is creating computer graphics for computer systems design firms or motion picture production firms.

If you are interested in an exciting career as a Graphic Designer, feel free to search the many options found at www.schoolsgalore.com.

Copyright 2006 - All Rights Reserved
Michael Bustamante, in association with Media Positive Communications, Inc. for SchoolsGalore.com

M. Bustamante is a staff writer for Media Positive Communications, Inc. in association with SchoolsGalore.com. Find Graphic Design Schools at SchoolsGalore.com; meeting your needs as your educational resource to locate schools.

The range of vacations available in Belize is incredibly broad with those seeking an adventure holiday as well catered for as those seeking a romantic island getaway for example.

The appeal of Belize is also extensive because the country has such a diverse natural landscape and this allows vacationers to enjoy the best of the beach as well as the best of the rainforest.

In terms of the cost of affording a vacation in Belize this very much depends on the individual’s budget because a holiday can be tailor-made to suit almost any level of affordability. Backpackers are welcome in Belize and those in search of five star luxury are also well catered for.

For those hoping for something of an adventure in Belize a dual centre holiday could well fit the bill. How about starting off with diving the barrier reef from the Cayes and then doing some sea and river kayaking before heading inland and into the rainforest for caving, hiking and birding trips?

If you prefer a more laid back holiday and are searching for the perfect island retreat. Belize is also home to some world class five star resorts such as Caye Chapel Island Resort where visitors will benefit from some serious pampering.

Families en route to Belize can tailor make a holiday that combines rest and relaxation for the parents with fun and education for the children. A number of hotels in Belize run kid’s clubs and have babysitting services available so that mom and dad can have some time alone on the beach or by the pool. Then there are many interesting, educational and fun excursions that can be arranged when on the ground in Belize for all the family - excursions such as horse riding in the rain forest, snorkelling around the barrier reef or mountain biking in the jungle are all extremely popular.

Finally those who want to learn more about the history, biodiversity and culture of Belize can custom design a vacation that takes in the Mayan ruins, whilst learning about the rainforest and the unique flora, fauna and people of Belize.

Rhiannon Williamson is a freelance writer whose articles about travelling and living abroad have appeared in publications around the world. To find out more information about vacationing and shopping in Belize click here.

Thessaloniki- some European flavor in your vacation!

By Liana Metal

WHERE

Thessaloniki is located on the northern part of the Greek mainland, in the gulf of Thermaikos which is a major port in imports and exports. The city was set up in 316 BC and is the capital of Macedonia and the second big city in Greece after Athens.

WHY GO

European culture combined with a variety of other cultures from the north and east, international events such as trade exhibitions and art displays , local festivals all year round, business and fun -extensive nightlife-all these blended together in the unique picturesque setting of Thermaikos gulf in the deep blue of the Aegean and the extensive historic places of interest in and out of the city.

WHEN TO GO

The best seasons to visit are spring, when it is sunny and warm and you can explore the area around the city as well, summer , when you can swim at magic sandy beaches within easy reach of the city, and fall, when international exhibitions take place. In winter months it is cold -sometimes below zero- but it is sunny most of the time.

GETTING THERE AND AROUND

By air

There are direct flights from the UK and other European countries and regular connections from the USA and eastern and northern countries as well.
Departures guide at: http://users.otenet.gr/~cpnchris/skgd.html
Airport info at: http://users.otenet.gr/-cpnchris/skg.html
Olympic airways at www.olympic-airways.gr/passengers_info/oapaxaptskguk.htm

By train

There is a train connection from Europe and the East on a regular basis.

Getting Around

Local buses run on a daily basis schedule to and from all suburbs and resorts, towns and cities. The bus service is a good one and the easiest way to move around the city.
See info at: www.ktel.org/fokis/en/thessaloniki.htm

Train services are for distant locations only, not for urban use.
However, the metro runs in the city connecting busy to remote areas.
Visit: www.metrolpa.net/eu/the/thessal/htm

Taxis are easy to find , and if you need a taxi at a certain time you can call the station and reserve it. They are punctual and trustworthy. Call at White Tower station, tel: 0310 214900. See also http://users.forthnet.gr/the/dsilvestriadis/thessaloniki

However, if you want to see everything , you should walk. It’s not difficult to follow a route a day and explore the inner part of the city on foot.

Cycling is not recommended in the down town area as there is a lot of traffic. Rent-a-car agencies are easy to find at the airport and bus and railway stations, and it is a good idea to self-drive around the city and the suburbs.
See www.kosmos-carrental.com/thessaloniki/html

BEST MAJOR ATTRACTIONS

The visitor shouldn’t miss to see the round White Tower, a remnant of the ancient walls of the city dated back to 1866, which is now the characteristic symbol of the city. There are more towers around the city but they are all square shaped apart from two of them.

The Triumphal Arc of Galerius is in the middle of the city, an imposing monument dating back to the third century.

Ayios Dimitrios church, down town, attracts a lot of people, both tourists and locals. It was built in the 5th century and has great architectural value. Worth visiting the catacombs dug under the church which were the hiding place of the first Christians at that time.

St Sophia church, is also a building you shouldn’t miss.

There is a number of museums all over the city such as the Rotonda ,which is a church for St George, and the Museum of Salonica.
Visit www.greekembassy.org/culture/northgreece/thessaloniki.html

BEST UNUSUAL ATTRACTIONS

The Technology park, visit the site at: www.techpark.gr

The Technology Museum, see site at www.tmth.edu.gr/en

The International Trade Exhibition, a big international event, was set up in 1926 and has been running annually in September since then offering a great range of goods and services. It attracts a great number of people every year both business and fun lovers. See www.helexpo.gr

Also the World Trade center , visit site at http://iserve.wtca.org/wtc/thessaloniki_contacts.html

Mt Athos, within easy reach of the city , is a monastery for monks located on the Halkidiki peninsula . It is a well known for the famous ancient items that are displayed there, and it constitutes a small independed community on its own run by monks. They offer free lodgings and meals to all visitors . Female visitors are not allowed in. Prince Charles of UK has visited Athos many times, as well as other famous people.
See http://poseidon.csd.auth.gr/athos
www.medialab.ntua.gr/athos.html
www.bates.edu/-rallison/friends
www.culture.gr/2/21/218/e21800.html

Halkidiki peninsula beaches are sandy , extensive and ideal for summer vacations. The perfect place for camping lovers.
www.huntsidway.com/travel.html

BEST ACTIVITY AND TOUR

•A tour in the city to see the sights. Visit www.greekhotel.com/mainland/thessaloniki/home.htm
www.greekembassy.org/culture/northgreece/thessaloniki.html
For luxury tours-hotels,
www.luxury.gr/thessaloniki-hotels.html

•For sport lovers, Toumba stadium is renowned for the local team of PAOK . There are two more local teams, ARIS and IRAKLIS. For more activities, see
www.medcollection.com/region.asp?lc=53

BEST ALTERNATIVE

•Mt Athos www.it.uom.gr/project/chalkidiki/visit_Athos.htm

•The Aristotle University which is popular for Medicine, Literature, Law, Theology and other studies.

•The University of Macedonia which is the best for Ecomonics and Social studies,as well as for Computer programming.
www.uom.gr

•The concert Hall http://virtuals.compulink.gr/ommth

BEST LOCAL HAUNT

Kalamaria area , on the east of the city is the best place to enjoy seafood by the sea. Michaniona , one hour by bus from the city center , offers fresh fish by the sea as well traditional dishes restaurants along the bay.

BEST LODGINGS

Park hotel, in the center of the city , within easy reach of all the sights.
Contact: Tel 0310 52412

City, downtown area.
Tel: 0310 269421

Elektra, a higher class hotel in the city.
Tel: 0310 232221

Hyatt, a big hotel.
Website: www.thessaloniki.hyatt.com

See other hotels at: www.greecetravelonline.com/accommodation/hotelbyarea.asp?combArea=Thessaloniki

BEST EATS

Looking for fresh fish? Don’t miss the fish tavernas at Kalamaria, a popular suburb by the sea.

Down town there is a big number of restaurants offering all kinds of tasty dishes, from grilled meat to fish and sea food. Bakeries and pastry shops offer a wide range of traditional cakes that can be found only in Salonica, as well as homemade fruit jams.

Try To Horio (the village ) at tel: 0310 327080, and Ta kalivia, at Tel: 0310 845310, for a wide range of dishes, traditional and European ones.

So , what’s the best speciality to try?

A kind of pie called ‘trigona’ (triangles). It’s got a filo wrapping outside and rich creme inside. They are sweet and tasty and are kept in the fridge.

‘Touloumba’ is another sweet dessert . It’s a kind of pastry roll with no filling inside but dipped in heavy syrup. It’s like ‘Baklavas’ in taste, which is a typical Greek sweet in syrup.

Chocolate speaking the ‘anomala’ bits are delicious. They are small unshaped choco bites made of plain dark chocolate and have a filling of whole almonds.

The best meat dishes are Giros and Souvlaki pittas, and the appetizing Greek salad topped with feta cheese.

Take aways are very popular with the students and the locals. Freshly made dishes delivered to your place -hotels included!

You can call To Fournaki tis Giagias at tel: 0310 311 999 for grilled meat and traditional cuisine . Take away too.

Trocadero is a well known creperie. Tel: 0310 942001, and Pizza Hut is international at tel: 0310 049222.

BEST ENTERTAINMENT

The International Trade Exhibition is the most popular event in Thessaloniki. It attracts visitors from all over the world and has been running annually in September since 1926. Many art festivals take place at that time and it is difficult to find accommodation if you have not booked it a month or so in advance.
For more info visit website at: www.helexpo.gr

BEST SHOPPING

There is an extensive variety of shops downtown offering whatever one may think, from clothes and leather goods to trade products and machinery. See the link below for a guide to shopping in the city.: http://users.forthnet.gr/the/dsilvestriadis/thessaloniki

HEALTH AND SAFETY

There is no need to take any special precautions apart from the regular ones when you travel abroad. A Health Insurance will help if you need Private -Hospital medical care, but there are a lot of public hospitals that can help in emergencies.

During the summer months you should take care of the tap water. It is safer to buy bottled mineral water and avoid the sun at noon. A sun block cream and dark sunglasses is a must for everyboby staying in Greece.

MONEY AND COMMUNICATIONS

There is no problem with currency exchange as there are many banks around the city , at the airport and at the stations as well. Most shops accept credit cards and travelers’checks and most hotels change cash for you at low rates.

International phone calls are easy to make as there are phone booths in the streets and e-mails are easy to send as you can find Internet cafes all around the city. The post office service is reliable but there are many private couriers around the city that offer immediate delivery service locally or worldwide.

www.tnn.gr net news
www.wunderground.com/global/stations/16622.html
Weather report

BEST RESOURCES

WWW.THESSALONIKI.GR

History at http://philippos.mpa.gr/gr/recovered/thessaliniki/try(5)/eng
Hotels +apartments at www.greecead.com/gadhome/thessaloniki
American Consulate at http://virtuals.compulink.gr/us-consulate

Ends

About the Author

Liana Metal is a writer based in Europe. Visit her at http://lianametal.tripod.com or her ebook site at http://liamet.tripod.com

It’s hard to imagine a more romantic city for dining than San Francisco. And with over 3,000 restaurants just waiting to be discovered, it will be a while before you exhaust all the fine restaurant options here.

Here’s our pick of just a few of the best spots for romantic dining in San Francisco…

Moonraker:

The Moonraker is part of the Best Western Hotel Lighthouse Hotel in Pacifica, 7 miles south of San Francisco Intl Airport. It’s definitely worth the drive down the coast to enjoy a romantic dinner at this seaside restaurant. The view of the sunset over the waves is just gorgeous, there’s seafood like Salmon and Rock Lobster along with a nice selection of wines and some live piano music as well. Pick a nice day, check for sunset times, reserve a window table, and enjoy. 105 Rockaway Beach Ave, Pacifica, CA (650) 359 0303

Bistro Aix:

Very reasonably priced French/Californian/Italian Bistro down at the Marina. Both Traditional and “cutting edge” favorites are on the menu here. White tableclothe settings, artwork and a wraparound bar make for a warm, inviting and quieter atmosphere. Bonus: outdoor dining on the patio very romantic. 3340 Steiner St. San Francisco, CA (415) 202-0100

First Crush:

Critically acclaimed wine lounge and restaurant. If you love your wine, especially California wine, this is a great place to dine. Over 400 different vintages available here. The menu changes by the season and allows you to put together a combination of tastes to fully bring out the “flavor of the vine”. Casual but classy atmosphere, priced reasonably too. 101 Cyril Magnin Street, San Francisco, CA (415)982-7874

Pier 39:

Not just one romantic restaurant, but at least 10 establishments along this popular Fisherman’s Wharf section of the San Francisco waterfront. Our choice for romantic dining for two would be Neptunes Palace Seafood Restaurant. The view across the Bay to the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz is outstanding. Neptunes has been called one of the finest seafood restaurants in San Francisco. (415)434-2260

Copyright © 2005 Excellent Romantic Vacations

Greg Mattson is the editor of Excellent Romantic Vacations - A guide to great romantic vacations & getaways in the USA and around the world. You can find out more about romantic dining in San Francisco in our Romantic Restaurants in San Francisco page.

If you haven’t already been to Prague yourself then you will almost
certainly have friends that have been and if you are reading this article you
are probably planning a trip there in near future.

There are plenty of other articles that will tell you where to
visit, what to see, where to get cheap beer and how not to be ripped off by taxi
drivers. This article is about the holiday letting market in Prague and how to
get the most from it.

When booking a city break or vacation in Prague most people
immediately consider hotels with a recognisable brand. This is fine and you
will no doubt have a great time staying there - but at a price! If 3 couples
are travelling together and staying in 3 hotel rooms you could typically pay up
to $600 plus taxes for the group - PER NIGHT! The same quality of accommodation
in a Prague holiday apartment will normally cost $120 per night. Just think how much
more beer, or wooden toys or boat trips down the Vltava you can buy with that!

Where to Stay?
For obvious reasons many people are attracted to the Old Town
Square or the immediate vicinity to the Charles Bridge. If you are thinking
about this then consider the following:

• Stag and Hen parties congregate in these areas and can be very
  noisy, particularly late at night.

• Czechs congregate here for key sporting events normally shown on
  Huge TV screens - check you dates carefully.

• Pickpockets and street prostitutes frequent these areas.
• Prague city centre is very small and most places are either within walking
  distance or are served by excellent public transport links (metro and trams)

• Hotels and Apartments are generally more expensive in these areas.
• There are many other areas of Prague that are quieter, cheaper and
  well connected to the rest of the city. One of the most popular areas in my
  experience is Vinohrady (the Royal Vineyard). The architecture is fantastic
  with a real café society. It is a 10-15 minute walk away from Wenceslas Square
  and well served by public transport.

Two outstanding new developments have recently been built in
Vinohrady and there are many holiday apartments available. These are the Zvonarka and Korunni Dvur
developments. The apartments are generally furnished to a 4 star standard with
swimming pools and fitness facilities available either for free or a small
charge. These are well worth considering over and above a small, drafty, noisy
Old Town apartment.

Other pitfalls with Prague Apartments

There are thousands of apartments available for short term holiday
and vacation rental. But choose your apartment carefully!

Following entry to the Czech Republic there has been a great deal
of investment into this market from outside of the Czech Republic. It is easier
than ever before to buy and mortgages have become available to non-Czech
nationals for the first time - and at reasonable rates. These are normally
furnished to a high standard and in good, safe locations and add to the stock of
quality Czech owned apartments.

There are also a large number of ‘protected rent’ apartments that
are sublet illegally. These are much older and the ‘owners’ spend much less on
furnishings and maintenance because they are letting the flats illegally.
Protected rents were intended to provide affordable accommodation to Czechs
during the communist period and in the future these are expected to be phased
out.

But how can you tell what the apartment will really be like from a
few thumbnail pictures?

The best way is use a reputable website such as
http://www.praguerental.com to choose your property. These apartments are all vetted
and are in well furnished properties in safe, central locations. You can
reserve the apartment with a small deposit and be sure of local English speaking
support on arrival in Prague.

Holiday Rental Checklist

• Know the TOTAL price of the booking at the time of booking an
  insist on email confirmation

• Agree Check in and Check out times in advance. You will normally
  be asked to check out earlier than a hotel so that the apartment can be cleaned
  in advance of the next guests arriving. It is always worth asking for a late
  check out. Most owners will agree to this if they have no guests arriving that
  day. Make sure you discuss this in advance though as the cleaner will need to
  be notified.

• Extras. Normally airport transfer can be added to the cost of the
  booking for reasonable rates. Owners prefer to know exactly where you are once
  you arrive rather than have you show up on the door step at a random time
  somewhere near to when you said you show up. Taking advantage of airport
  transfers will normally save you money and get you to your apartment faster.

• Ask about security arrangements.

Ian Smith is an expat from the UK living in Prague for the last 8 years. He manages the prague apartment rental business http://www.praguerental.com and advises investors on the pitfalls of holiday buy-to-lets.

Our family has been making bi-annual trips to the Colorado River for as long as I can remember. Tradition dictates that we go to the same place, a sand bar about a mile up river from Picacho on the California side. Picacho, a former mining town, is about 18 miles north of Winterhaven. Getting there requires taking the infamous Picacho Road. It’s a long, ruddy dirt road that weeds out all but the heartiest of campers. It’s a test of your vehicle as well as your nerves.

There is shorter way to get to Picacho from the west on a road called the Hyduke Mine Road. My brother John and I heard about it from a former trucker, who said he’d used it to bypass the Interstate 8 agricultural inspection station. We figured that if a trucker could do the Hyduke Mine Road, then so could we.

Our vehicle was a Chevrolet Caprice Classic; a cop car. John was driving, his future wife rode shotgun, and my girlfriend and I were sitting in the back. We assured them that this was the best way to go. The Hyduke Mine Road starts off of Ogilby Road and after about 16 miles it connects to the Picacho Road just 5 miles south of Picacho. While on Ogilby Road we saw the sign for the Hyduke written on a piece of wood and staked into the ground. We pulled onto the trailhead and assessed the situation.

To the east of us was Picacho Peak, a prominent Butte jetting out of the desert which can be seen for 100 miles on clear days. According to the map, all we had to do was keep heading towards it and pass on it’s north side. How could we get lost with such a prominent feature to navigate by?

Within the first 8 miles we encountered only a few obstacles. We crossed numerous dry washes and plowed up a few sandy embankments. These things were good for a laugh and instilled in us some confidence that this was going to be a cinch. All the while we headed for Picacho Peak. I felt a little uneasy since we hadn’t seen a soul and we were now at the midway point. 8 miles of walking in either direction would be required should there be problems with the car. On this day the temperature was about 95 degrees. We had the windows rolled up, air conditioning blasting out the cold and Van Helen tunes cranking all the while.

At this point we encountered difficulties in rapid succession. The car’s check engine light came on and drew John’s attention to the temperature gage approaching the red zone. John knew just what to do. He ordered us to roll down the windows and cranked the heater to full blast. As crazy as it seemed, shutting off the air conditioning and running the heater provided the additional cooling effort necessary for the engine to not overheat and thus leave us stranded in the desert. Grumbling passengers aside, this was a prudent move.

We came across an area where the road was washed out by a wide stream. The stream bed was now dry but the road on the other side was 24″ higher than the stream bed. “We can’t climb up that” was what we were all thinking. Out came the military shovel and a level of ingenuity that only desperation can muster. Within a half hour we’d built a ramp out of sand and rocks. John and I carefully studied the situation and decided we’d need momentum, timing, and perfect tire placement. After agreeing on the plan, John jumped in the car, gave the obligatory thumbs up, and slammed on the gas. I can still see the event so perfectly in my mind. John’s car hit the ramp and the front end made it up the bank just as planned. The rear tires rolled halfway up the ramp and the tires began to spin. The spinning tires inched up the rest of the way and finally grabbed hold, launching the car up onto the road and tearing off its muffler. After a roaring applause, pats on the back and a sigh of relief, we all jumped in the car and sped on.

Up till this point, we always had Picacho Peak in sight. This aided navigation and provided assurance to the womenfolk who’d begun to lose faith in our plan. As we headed into the foothills of the Chocolate Mountains the peak fell out of sight. Our spirits sank along with it. John and I attempted to pacify the ladies by reminding them that we carried with us camping provisions for a whole weekend. Under the worst case scenario we would simply have to camp, which is what we came out here to do anyhow. Neither of us dared point out that water, our most necessary commodity, was already running out.

We came across a deep pond with a soggy earthen dam on the south side. The road passed over the dam which was only just wide enough for the car to pass. I got out of the car to spot John as he drove over it. On his right ride was a shear drop off, on his left was this pond which slowly leaked over the dam and under his tires. It seemed that as he passed over it, the dam crumbled, the tires slipped, and ever more water began to fall over the dam. After he crossed we had the impression that we could never go back over it again. No one could, for that matter.

Later we came to a fork in the road and decided to take the left since it seemed to be more traveled. We continued on for a half mile as the road turned to thick sand. John gave it gas enough to continue on. Soon we came upon a cul-de-sac, a dead end with the thickest sand we’d seen yet. I imagined this is where we’d be forced to camp that night. Here I think is where John’s 4 wheeling instincts first manifested themselves. John slammed on the gas and whirled the car around this dead end in the widest allowable arc he could. The tires slowed and began to slip but the car continued to move forward. The car’s speed gradually increased and soon we were back at the fork. This time we made the right decision.

Stopping for a rest I took stock of our situation. I realized this was a road for 4×4 vehicles. Not cop cars. In 2 hours we’d made it about 12 miles. We lost sight of our point of reference. Each of us was sweating, dirty, and embittered. We’d long since stripped down the least layer of clothing that decency allows. The secret of the water supply was now public knowledge. The car was running poorly because the muffler was torn off. This hurt our ears because we had the windows rolled down. We couldn’t roll them up since we were in the desert with the heater running. Of course, we did this because the car was overheating, and so on. By this time, John and I felt we were way beyond the point of no return. The ladies on the other hand saw every bump and turn as a sign that we should turn back. Our stubborn refusal to turn back led to hurtful accusations and a “them vs. us” mentality which lingered well beyond the completion of the Hyduke Mine Road.

Late in the afternoon we crested a hill and took in the sight of the Picacho Peak on our right. It was close so we knew we didn’t have far to go. Proceeding down the hill we entered into White Wash. We continued on in this wash at about 30 miles per hour daring not to slow down or even turn sharply for fear of digging in and getting stuck. After some scary points where we slowed to a crawl we were within sight of the Picacho Road. We saw that the road was flanked by sand berms used to keep drainage from flowing into the road. John didn’t even consider slowing down. He hit the 2′ sand berm at full speed, smashing his way over it and onto the Picacho Road.

Our misadventure was over. We found our way to Picacho and jumped into the Colorado River to cool off.

Steven Unwin

As we crossed the border the summer of 1997, my nine-year old daughter, Ashley was detained. A stranger in a strange land, she was now surrounded by short, dark men that talked funny. She immediately donned a solemn face and pleads for my assistance. Her practical jokes suddenly stopped and tears formed.

My brow too, began to sweat as the border patrol studied the paperwork carefully. One very serious officer looked up from the papers and stated matter of fact, “Usted no puede pasar de contrabando animales en nuestro pas. Se ha vacunado este animal? No vemos ningn papel aqu para el mono. Tendremos que ponerlo en cuarentena. Démelo.”
(You can’t smuggle animals into our country. Has this animal been vaccinated? We see no papers. We will have to put him in quarantine. Give him to me.)

As the other man reached for the monkey saying, “Podra separar enfermedad,” (It could spread disease.) Ashley’s tears fell. She insisted on taking her stuffed monkey with us on the trip. I saw nothing out of the ordinary about it so I agreed.

I possessed a lack of faculty with Spanish conjugation. By inflection and body language I thought this was their way of welcoming three Americans into the country. But, I couldn’t be sure just yet. We had some very challenging moments the past several years. This incident was posing another I didn’t know quite what to do with.

Travel agents will tell you that if you are traveling as a single adult with children you must carry not only their birth certificates, but also a travel document or letter signed by the absent parent. Children cannot travel with only one parent without the permission of the other acting as proof they have not been kidnapped. I wondered how I was going to get around that impossibility?

An old Maltese proverb came to mind, “A mother becomes a liar and a thief for the love of her children”. I was divorced from the girls’ father. Besides the fact he had passed away a couple of years before. Since he was married to someone else, well, I didn’t possess a death certificate. So, I forged his name to the travel documents with a bogus letter letting them travel with only one parent.

I really didn’t have any answers just yet for my daughter’s dilemna, much less my own. I thought we would be jailed or put back on the plane for the states. My youngest daughter’s generally thick skin she wore around me quickly peeled away. She hung onto the monkey for her life. Suddenly, the two officers began to laugh, noting that we were really confused.

I was relieved. We were allowed to step foot in Puerto Vallarta. It was July. My oldest daughter just turned fifteen. We had never gone on vacation together. This was her birthday present. It just had to be better, didn’t it?

After we said thank you and good-bye we got in our shuttle to the hotel. The girls immediately took off to the beach. We had a lot to pack into our three-day all-inclusive stay. Including airfare, it was a bargain at a hundred dollars a day. The Meza del Mar is an old, expansive and beautiful hotel with whitewashed walls and Spanish tile roof. See this site for more information about Club Meza del Mar; http://www.vallartashores.com/mezadelmar/

With the girls off I sat down to a beer under the nearest palapa.

We are not the only ones who experience challenges. Yolanda, only nineteen, raising three children braided hair in the courtyard of Meza del Mar for fourteen dollars. I always wanted to see what I would like with a Bo Derek ‘10′ hairstyle, and I wanted to help Yolanda out. The next day we three girls were Bo One, Bo Two, and Bo Three.

Ashley monkeyed around for hours in the pool with a friend named Cynthia from Monterrey, Mexico. No language barrier exists during amiable play.

The next day our threesome took off on an all-day cruise. Best yet, it was only $55.00 USD and the offer was sold right in the hotel. An all inclusive, free food, all the Corona I could drink, dancing on the deck, lively conversation with University students wanting to come to the U.S., and I hung out with a recently married couple from Denver. The couple was two men. They were on their honeymoon.

Jose, our taxi driver drove wildly to the dock that day. He drove 70km in downtown traffic, not stopping at lights and only slowing for signs, frantically changing lanes and oblivious to the fear it might cause tourists. I didn’t have proper Mexican currency or any change. He was shockingly kind to say, “Just leave it with Juan, the concierge at Mesa del Mar with my name on it and he will get it to me.” I was flabbergasted.

We headed to Yelapa at the end of the peninsula south of Majoya Mismaloya. Ashley and I attempted to snorkel, but failed. Alyssian was, I swear a mile away from the ship and in the current of the engines as she returned to the ship. She loved it and thrilled at the many tropical fish. The boat motored to shore and we followed a mountain trail to a café on top. The girls wasted no time climbing the falls, while I sat drinking more Corona.

We saw many iguanas on the way. If locals hold them be prepared to pay for a photo if you take one. Horseback rides were readily available for $20.00, and on the way back Ashley did. She threw a fit when she was tired of walking. One witness felt sorry for her and allowed her to ride down the mountain for free. She was a happy camper. Well, so was I. Being a brat in Ashley’s case has paid off on many occasions. There were many memorable moments.

Another memorable was our walk to town and back from the hotel. Being in a strange place and having two daughters made me cautious and protective. Ashley wanted to run off by herself, but I kept her under tow regardless. We were actually being stalked. I stopped a policeman on the corner dressed from head-to-toe in white duds with a trusty steed at his side. It’s odd that body language and hand signals work so well when you don’t speak the language. The officer didn’t indicate he spoke English. Although I could not voice my concern in an audible way, the girls and I were not followed after that.

On the way back to the hotel it rained. It was a warm and heavy downfall. Local hospitality was terrific. Three times we were motioned to come in out of the rain, but we were having too much fun. One extremely funny fellow met us on the bridge about three blocks from our room. As we approached he scurried across ahead of us. As we passed him, his back went up against the wall of the bridge abutment and his claws reached for the sky, as if to say, “I surrender.” Have you ever seen a crab do that? It was priceless. I’ve only seen crabs in grocery stores and crab pots, but I can’t say that anymore. We were drenched and laughed ourselves silly as we continued the walk.

For More Information:
http://www.vallartashores.com/mezadelmar/
http://www.virtualvallarta.com/vallarta/information/definitions/yelapa.html

My writing appears in From Eulogy to Joy, Beischel, Xlibris Press, 2000, http://www.Bootsnall.com, and ezinearticles.com. I love to travel, write, design, decorate, and paint. I studied writing through Long Ridge Writers Group in Connecticut, journalism at Metropolitan State College of Denver, and painting at the Art Academy in Loveland, Colorado, USA.

Tourism in New Zealand is changing its focus. Backpacking and bungy jumping are still popular but a more affluent traveller is now visiting. And more often.

Are you a member of this new profile? Are you an Interactive Traveller®?

Or do you cater to them?

Who is an Interactive Traveller®?

“Interactive Travellers® are regular international travellers who consume a wide range of tourism products and services. They are travellers who seek out new experiences that involve engagement and interaction, and they demonstrate respect for natural, social and cultural environments.”
Tourism New Zealand

Tourism New Zealand has made good use of the information that you give when you fill in all those forms “for statistical purposes only”.

There is a new group of tourists coming to New Zealand in increasing numbers. They come from a range of countries around the world and are more likely to fall into one of two age groups: 25-34 years of age or 50-64 years.

As a member of the younger group, you probably haven’t yet had children, while those of you in the older age group are likely to be ‘empty nesters’ (your children have left home) or travelling with teenagers (who need their own space).

Regardless of age, you are more likely to have discretionary income available to spend on travel. So luxury travel is an obvious choice.

Do you see yourself fitting in here? Regardless of age-group?

In addition to these two more general aspects, as an Interactive Traveller® you are more likely to:

Read newspapers and magazines. You make a point of staying informed, following business news, current affairs and travel publications.

Research travel destinations thoroughly. You like to know about where you’re going and what you can do when you get there. You research destinations using the internet, guide books, word of mouth and travel agents. But you also like to leave room for spontaneity…

Go to the cinema, theatre, galleries and museums. You pursue culture at home and when you’re away on holiday. You appreciate both contemporary and historical cultural experiences.

Be high users of technology. Interactive Travellers® have fully embraced computers, the internet, digital cameras, pay TV and other forms of lifestyle information technology.

Aim to be healthy. You are more likely to exercise regularly and eat healthy foods. Some of you also prefer organic foods.

Entertain at home. You enjoy cooking and socialising with friends at all times of the year. Travel is a likely topic of conversation.

Have liberal attitudes. Interactive Travellers® have open minds. You’re tolerant of beliefs that don’t match your own, and you’re prepared to listen to new ideas.

Take risks. Challenging situations, both mental and physical, appeal. You enjoy the sense of accomplishment that comes with doing something you haven’t done before. Yes, you can still bungy-jump should you wish.

Have a high disposable income. Interactive Travellers® have enough money to travel regularly and purchase high-value travel experiences. You’re also willing to pay more for experiences that are authentic or exclusive.

Enjoy fine cuisine and wine. Food and wine adds essential flavour to travel, as far as the Interactive Traveller® is concerned. You expect hospitality of an international standard, but you also want to try authentic local delicacies and cooking styles.

Have influence in your peer group. Most importantly, you share travel stories, both at home and while you’re travelling. You follow word-of-mouth recommendations from people you respect, and you are a dependable source, sharing your own travel experiences.

Importantly, Tourism New Zealand determined that, “while Interactive Travellers® enjoy these things, they are not primary motivations for travel to New Zealand.”

So why visit?

Your key reason to visit New Zealand is to interact with the landscape. Landscapes you can taste…

http://www.luxury-new-zealand.com/, THE site for the Interactive Traveller.
About the Author

Stephen Hay invites you to explore the opportunities for luxury travel and accommodation in New Zealand.

The site, http://www.luxury-new-zealand.com/, brings together all luxury offerings in New Zealand. Private jet companies, charter yachts, luxury rental cars, luxury adventure holidays and 165 luxury lodges, resorts and boutique hotels for your enjoyment.