Travel Ideas

by: Figi Lesole

The Fiji Islands, are one of the most desirable destinations in South Pacific area. They are known for their climate, beauty, and culture and hundreds of thousands travel there every year to sample just a few days of paradise. With thousands of miles of unspoiled white sandy beaches, coral reefs, and emerald lagoons, the Fiji Islands fulfill everyone’s idea of the perfect tropical paradise. Add to that dream a few waterfalls, a rainforest, and deep, lush valleys and the Fiji islands soar are simply insurmountable as a tourism destination.

the Fiji Islands are a unique setting with some of the friendlist people in the world as its residents. You will experience the unique blend of old and new not found in other locales. Here you can relax and enjoy what you will surely call your own paradise.

Whatever your interest may be, there is something on the Fiji Islands for everybody. Many visitors take the time to experience local markets and villages while others merely like to lie on the beach and read a book. Most sporting activities are geared for daylight hours, but the larger cities have evening movies and some have independent restaurants and nightclubs. Dances and festivals may be held on weekends, holidays or other special occasions.

The Fiji Islands are unparalleled in their range of water and outdoors activities and for the water lover, the Fiji Islands are shjeer heaven. Scuba diving and snorkeling are available year round to allow people to explore the safe but exotic marine life. Wind and body surfing, sailing of all types, kayaking and water skiing are just a few of the many other activities for visitors to enjoy the warm tropical waters.
For those less inclined to have fun on the water, land lovers may prefer to explore the rainforest, caves or archeological sites. In addition, back-packing, biking, golf, tennis, horse back riding and bird watching are other activities that are readily available.

The Fiji Islands offer all of the customary lodgings, but the small intimate resorts with their unique bungalow style accommodations are an experience not to be missed. These bungalows otherwise known as bure can be simple or world class, depending on your budget. You will find them to be the perfect place for your dream wedding or honeymoon, family vacation, and even that lengthy business trip. These resorts usually offer all inclusive packages, providing rooms, meals, activities and entertainment.

About The Author

Figi Lesole is the owner of Fiji which is a premier resource for fiji information. For more information, go to http://www.fijicom.com.

by: Furia Andress

Animals of the Tropical Rainforest
The tropical rainforest is a unique ecosystem that is home to many plants and animals, in fact more plants and animals than we even know about. The plants found in the tropical rainforest produce much of the oxygen that is essential for our planet. In addition, many of the plants have unique healing properties against illness and disease.
Tropical rainforest is home to many rare animal species such as the Brazilian Tapir, found only in some areas of South America. Brazilian Tapir is a mammal which likes to live near water swimming and diving, feeding on leaves and small branches. Being naturally afraid of anything larger than itself it is harmless to man. It likes to live mainly near the lakes and ponds that are present in the tropical rainforest. Besides this there are many other unique animals that have made this beautiful rainforest their home.
Besides the animals this tropical rainforest is also the abode of many different and rare bird species such as the Crested Guan. This bird is found mainly on the northern tip of South America. It feeds on the fruit and seeds and prefers to live mainly on the trees, walking between the branches. It comes down on the ground only in search of water. It also feeds itself by collecting fallen fruits and seeds from the forest floor.
Many reptiles can be found in the tropical rainforest. One of the reptiles that can be found living in the forests of Indonesia and the Philippines is the Flying Dragon. This reptile is called the “flying dragon” because he seems to fly from one tree to another using his skin flaps. You’ll find this reptile eating ants and other insects. When it comes time to breed they’ll bury their eggs in the fertile soil of the rainforest.
The Slow Loris is another animal that is unique to the tropical rainforest. This animal will spend most of his day in the tops of trees sleeping quietly. At night you’ll find him feeding on shoots and leaves, small birds, bird’s eggs, and insects that he finds on the ground. The Loris is a very slow mover but you’ll rarely see him stumble as he makes his way from tree top to the forest floor. You might even see him hanging upside down from his feet.
There are many different types of snakes that can only be found in the tropical rainforest. One of these snakes is the Vine Snake, which lives in central and northern South America. This snake eats small birds which it steals from nests, as well as lizards that it finds on the ground and in the trees of the forest. This snake is called a “vine snake’ because it very thin, approximately a half inch in diameter. When frightened by a predator the Vine Snake will stop what it is doing and swing gently from side to side, much like a vine in the wind.
There are many other animals that are indigenous to the tropical rainforests. Many of these animals have unique and different features that help them to survive in this beautiful, though sometimes harsh, environment. The wonders of the tropical rainforest continue to amaze us as more is learned about the plants and animals that live there.

About The Author

Furia Andress is the chief editor for Furia Tropical, the best place on the internet for information about all things tropical. For more articles on all things tropical why not visit:

http://www.furiatropical.com/articles

http://www.furiatropical.com

by: Ryan Windley

As I walked up the jet way, I could feel the dry, desert air in my lungs. As I approached the baggage claim, I could hear the sounds of mariachi music. I wasn?t able to discern if it was being played over the PA system or if it were a real live band.
After reaching the bottom, and rounding a pillar, I was pleased to find a four-piece mariachi band playing near the baggage claim. I thought to myself, ?Hey, how did they know I was coming?? Officially, my spring break vacation had begun only five minutes earlier by landing at the El Paso airport; and I was already being enveloped in the warm embrace of Mexican culture. It was a sign of great things to come.
I stood, waiting contently, for my bags to show up on the carousel, listening to the beautiful lyrics of a Spanish love song. Even though, I couldn?t understand the language, amore has a way of making its presence known.
Grabbing my bags, I walked out the door into the warm desert sun. The sun felt warm on my skin, a far cry from the colder, northern clime I had vacated only a few hours earlier. The SUV and driver were waiting at the curb just as planned.
My driver was John Hatch owner of Gavilan Tours (www.gavilantours.com). John was not only to be my driver, but also my tour guide for the next four days. I jumped into the suburban and my spring break adventure really took off! As it turns out, John?s grandfather guided Aldo Leopold into the Gavilan River basin; which inspired Leopold?s essay The Song of the Gavilan (Leopold is considered by many to be the father of modern ecology).
It is Colonia Juarez is a three-hour drive from El Paso. Chili pepper and cotton fields turn into blurry streaks as we cruise down the narrow Mexican highways into the interior of Chihuahua. Many storms over the past couple months brought much needed rain. The ancient volcanic cones and hills are green and lush. Wildflowers in brilliant yellows and reds dot the landscape. Once in a while we will drive through a sparsely populated village and then head back into the wide-open desert.
After what only seems like an hour and a half, we arrive in the city of Casas Grandes. So named because of the large ruins left by the Paquime Indians, the original inabitors of these parts over 1,000 years ago. We drive straight through the city. On the south end of town the highway makes a hard right curve and then heads west into the foothills of the Sierra Madre.
The suburban traverses a curvy, road through ten miles of foothills. Orchards appear on both sides of the road. Thousands of acres of peach trees have bloomed making the landscape appear as a sea of pink. We crest a hill; drive through a ravine, and round a bend into the quaint community of Colonia Juarez.
The next day is filled with getting a feel for the modern history of the community. John asks me if I would like to accompany him on a community tour he conducts for a Tucson-based tour company. I said, ?That sounds like fun.? A large tour bus stopped in front of John?s house at 9:30 a.m. I climb on board and take a seat next to the driver. The tour guide introduces John and for the next two hours John keeps the tour bus enthralled with stories of rugged pioneers, bloodthirsty Indians, and armies of Mexican revolutionaries who during the past 100 years have shared this area of Mexico.
The first white settlers were Mormons who settled the area in 1885. Many original brick homes still dot the town. The Mormons at one time had ten settlements or colonies, thru ought the Northern parts of Chihuahua and neighboring state, Sonora. On day three of my adventure, John is going to take me into the peaks of the Sierra Madres to visit some of the original colonies and nearby Indian ruins.
On day two, John takes me to Mata Ortiz. Mata Ortiz is a town known worldwide, for its unique styles of pottery. Along the way, John points out Indian ruins along the side of the road. I purchase several pots to take back home because the pots make unique gifts for family and friends.
Day three began at 9:00 am leaving for a full day in the Sierra Madres. During the day I had the opportunity to climb to three different Indian cliff dwellings. One of the cliff dwellings is knows as the olla cave. It contains a large (12 feet tall, 6 feet in diameter), onion-shaped storage bin. I saw unique rock formations such as pillars and arches which, I found as amazing as those found in Bryce Canyon and Arches National Parks (Just on a smaller scale and number).
Between sites, John holds me spellbound with stories of marauding Indians, expatriated American train robbers, and man-eating grizzly bears. We don?t arrive back to Colonia Juarez until after 6:00 pm.
Day four finds me lamenting the fact that I have to go home. John drives me back to the airport. As I wait for my plane to board, I find myself wondering how soon it will be until I can make it back to this enchanting place. No matter how soon, it won?t be soon enough.

About The Author

Ryan Windley was so spellbound by Colonia Juarez and the Sierra Madre, he has started an Ezine and corresponding website dedicated to raising awareness and tourism of this unique and diverse area. You can subscribe to the Ezine by sending an email to editor@lascolonias.us with ?Subscribe? written in the subject line.
editor@lascolonias.com

by: William Manor

Carelessness is the number one reason for a passport application being rejected or delayed or for a passport being lost, stolen, or damaged.
What steps are necessary to prevent these things from happening? How can you take care of your passport? Below are 16 practical tips you can follow to acquire your passport, keep it in your possession, and preserve it in good condition.
Before You Leave On Your Trip
1. Check to see if you even need a passport.
Countries can, and often do, change foreign entry requirements. If you arrive at the airport without the required documents, you’ll be denied boarding privileges. And, of course, This isn’t covered by travel insurance.
Currently, more than 80% of the world’s countries require a valid passport for entrance. It’s important to verify the foreign entry requirements for the country you plan to visit as early as possible.
2. Apply for your passport early.
You should apply for a new passport at least 90 days before your departure date. For a renewal, begin the process 8 to 11 months before your passport expires. Why so early? Many countries require that your passport have six to eight months of validity remaining before they will issue a visa.
3. Fill out the correct form correctly.
Each type of passport service has specific criteria that must be met. Make sure you get the right application form, and then fill it in carefully. Double-check each entry. Ask a friend or relative to verify it as well. Errors made on the application form can lead to delays, or even rejection of your passport request.
4. Follow the specifications for the required documents exactly.
When applying for a new passport, the most frequently used documents are a certified birth certificate for proof of citizenship along with a valid driver’s license for proof of your identity.
Your birth certificate must be a certified copy with a registrar’s raised, embossed, impressed, or multicolored seal, registrar’s signature, and the date the certificate was filed with the registrar’s office, which must be within 1 year of your birth. No photocopies are accepted. Your driver’s license must be more than six months old.
For a passport renewal, your previous passport serves as both proof of citizenship and proof of identity. To be valid, it cannot be mutilated, altered, or damaged in any way.
You must send two identical passport photos taken within the last 6 months. These passport photos must be 2 x2 with a plain white or off-white background. They have to be a full-face view with the head being from 1 to 1 3/8 inches from the chin to the top of the head. The photos can be either color or black and white.
5. Sign both the passport application form and your check.
Surprisingly, many people forget to sign either the passport application form or their check to Passport Services. Once again, check everything twice, or even three times.
6. Request additional pages.
Are you a frequent flyer? Request a 48-page passport (at no additional cost). It will allow you to travel longer before having to replace it.
7. Sign your passport and fill out the emergency information.
When your passport arrives, check to see that all the information contained in it is correct. If it is, sign it and fill in your current address and the name of a person to contact in case of emergency. If not, return it to the State Department for correction.
8. Make two copies of your passport and photos.
Give one copy of your passport to a friend or relative who can be easily contacted in case of an emergency. Take the other copy and the extra photos with you on your trip. If you use an online document storage service, you can scan your passport and upload a copy. That way, you can access it from almost anywhere in the world.
While You’re Away
9. Always keep your passport in a safe place!
Never leave your passport in your baggage, backpack, purse, car, hotel room, or anywhere else! When you must carry your passport, keep it in a money belt or inside coat pocket. Upon arrival at the hotel, put your passport in the hotel safe.
10. Never lay your passport down anywhere.
Passports placed on a counter, phone booth or table can be easily forgotten or stolen. Practice the habit of immediately putting your passport away after using it.
11. If you travel as a family or as part of a group, don’t let one person carry all the passports.
The odds are much greater for one person carrying all the passports to lose them or have them stolen than for all the passports to be stolen or lost if each individual owner carries them.
12. Never let anyone leave your presence with your passport.
When you’re checking in at the airport, passing through customs, exchanging currency, or doing anything else that requires you to show your passport, never allow the person examining your passport to leave your presence. If the person starts to leave, call their attention and request to accompany them.
Law enforcement records show that U.S. passports are sometimes used for unlawful entry into the United States or by criminals abroad seeking to establish another identity. You would be pretty embarrassed if your name were associated with illegal activities.
13. Immediately report the loss of your passport.
If you are careful and follow the tips above, you shouldn’t have any problem with the loss of your passport.
If it does occur though, immediately notify the local police and then proceed to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Take the copy of your passport and extra photos with you. You will be issued a temporary passport that you can replace upon returning to the United States.
After You Return
14. Schedule your passport renewal.
Check the expiration date and make a reminder to renew your passport at the proper time. Remember, you should begin the process 8 to 11 months prior to the expiration date. Put the reminder somewhere where it won’t be forgotten.
15. Check the number of blank pages remaining.
Some countries require a blank page for their visa. If you plan a future trip on which you will visit various countries, you might need the same number of pages as countries to be visited.
If you do not have an adequate number of pages but your passport is not due for renewal, you can request additional pages.
16. Store your passport in a safe place.
If you have a safe in your home, keep your passport there. If not, consider a safety deposit box at your local bank.
Follow the practical tips above and you can easily avoid passport problems and more fully enjoy your international travels.

About The Author

William Manor is the owner of U.S. Passport Service Guide, a very useful and com prehensive resource for U.S. citizens who travel internationally.

http://www.us-passport-service-guide.com