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: Fleuve De Pheonix

Staying Safe While Rafting
All sports offer their fair share of safety hazards, but some are a bit more perilous than others. When water is the arena, those hazards can be formidable, indeed. Before participating in any activity that requires sportsmen to enter a body of water, basic instruction and safety tips should be acquired, in order to provide the optimum recreational experience with the least possibility of risk. Rafting, whether slow-river or white-water, is an exhilarating experience, provided you’re fully-equipped and prepared for possible obstacles.
It goes without saying that anyone participating in a water sport must know how to swim. This is true even when you don’t expect to be in the water (rafting, boating, etc.). You must prepare for any and all eventualities. Bad weather, equipment failure or any other unforeseen condition could force you into the water, with or without a life vest. If you don’t know how to swim, participate in a swimming class at the local gym or public pool. It is best to remain in the class long enough to become certified. This will ensure that you are well equipped for water sports, and it will also come in handy if your rafting organization requires proof of training.
Now that you’ve prepared yourself, you need to get your equipment ready. The raft must never be overloaded, so pay close attention to weight limits. Don’t squeeze in more passengers than is comfortable, and make sure that all passengers have life vests. This is an absolute must and will be essential should the raft overturn or get punctured.
Since rafting is an outdoor sport, the environment also plays a factor. Check the weather before heading out on a rafting excursion. If there’s poor weather in the forecast, perhaps you should postpone your trip. Remember, bad weather is not just inconvenient for rafters

About The Author

Fleuve De Pheonix is the administrator of A Cool USA, Inc. which is the place for all things cool in the USA. For more information, please visit: http://www.acoolusa.com.

Australia’s Fraser Island ? Escape Forever

by: Glenn Murray

For all its conveniences, modern living leaves a lot to be desired. We spend our days enduring the ever-increasing pressures of work, the city?s oppressive unfriendliness, the daily commuter grind and the aggressive reality of impatient road-ragers.
Is something missing?
Unfortunately, work is a reality for most of us. So too is city and suburban living, dreary weather, pollution, traffic? But it doesn?t have to be all there is to life. Try something that puts you in touch with who you really are. Try something elemental. Try something that soothes your soul.
Try Fraser Island.
Fraser Island isn?t just an island paradise. It?s a unique and luxurious combination of Australia?s rich natural heritage, its earthy roots, its wholesome majesty, and its refreshingly simple essentials. It?s a chance to touch the fine sands, to drift in the temperate water, to bask in the sun that seems all yours? It?s your chance to partake of a life that most Australians have forgotten.
Spend a week on and in turquoise waters, a week without shoes with the sand between your toes, a week fishing and perhaps living off your catch. Your perspective can?t help but change.
It?s not a mere fleeting appreciation. It?s something you take with you.
Fraser can help remind you that you?re not your job. How important are the forms and the filing, the meetings and memorandums? You can learn a lot about yourself when you take away all the things that don?t matter.
And really? is there any better way to experience this epiphany than in paradise?
Fraser Island certainly is a paradise, no matter which way you look at it. At the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef, and a short boat ride from Hervey Bay in South-East Queensland, Fraser is 124 km from tip to toe and 16 km across the middle. At 163,000 hectares, it?s the world?s biggest sand island.
Of course, that doesn?t mean it?s all just sand. Not by a long shot! The whole island is laced with crystal clear fresh water streams, and deep midnight blue fresh water lakes. In fact, with over 40 fresh water lakes ? it?s home to half of the world?s known ?perched? lakes. It also boasts a dazzling diversity of plants and animals (including Australia?s purest strain of dingo), and an amazing variety of spectacular landscapes, from 120 km of non-stop tropical beach to dense and towering rainforest, weathered headland to ochre gorge, inspiring cliffs to wandering dunes, eerie mangroves to wind-blown salt pans.
What?s more, you have your choice of accommodation, so you can choose your own level of ?communion with nature?. From 4? star luxury resorts to rental retreats to motels and units, right through to the good ?ole campsite. Whether you?re a sucker for a bit of pampering, or you?re perfectly at home with a tent and a campfire on the beach, Fraser is a great provider.
And great accommodation is just the start? The island boasts average temperatures of 29?c in summer and 22?c in winter, so it?s no surprise that outdoor activities feature prominently on the agenda. Adrenalin addicts and dedicated sunbathers alike will appreciate the vast range available. From sunrise to sunset (and beyond), there?s always something for everyone. The only problem is choosing! Fishing, 4-wheel-driving, eating, sailing, bird-watching, bush-walking, swimming, eating, whale & dolphin-watching, shipwreck exploration, eating, beauty therapy, massage, lazing in the sun, eating, beach volleyball, tennis, cricket, eating, canoeing, sailboarding, snorkelling, eating? And needless to say, a few quiet drinks might make their way onto the agenda as well?
With so much to offer, it?s no surprise that the Fraser Island was originally known as K?gari ? or ?Paradise? ? by local Aboriginal peoples.
Fraser Island certainly is ?paradise for everyone?!
Four Wheel Driving
Being a sand island, the only mode of land transport is 4WD. Of course, for many visitors, that?s the main attraction. 4WD enthusiasts from all around the world visit Fraser Island to pit themselves and their vehicles against the rugged terrain found all over the island. From the hard-packed seashore to the shifting dune to the forests of the interior, Fraser Island is the ideal 4WD location.
Don?t be scared though ? it?s not all about extreme driving for experts! Whether you?re an novice, or you just prefer a more leisured pace of life, you?ll find a much more sedate satisfaction in one of the many organised 4WD tours offered around the island. Or if you just want to get out on your own, you can hire a 4WD for a day, and indulge in a bit of quiet exploring.
No matter which option you choose, though, there are a few ?ground rules? you should observe. Remember the dangers of driving on the beach. The further you adventure from the shoreline, the softer the sand. The softer the sand, the more likely you are to get into trouble. Generally speaking, keep your speed down, and remember you?re in a World Heritage listed environment? so be careful.
Fishing
No island holiday would be complete without a lazy day or two spent fishing. Beach fishing is the big drawcard for Fraser Island. And with 150 km of ocean beach to choose from, why wouldn?t it be? Middle Rocks, Sandy Cape, Waddy Point, and Seventy Five Mile Beach are just a few of the choice locations available for you to finally get the better of ?the one that got away?.
The famed ?tailor run? occurs on the eastern (ocean) side of the island between July and October each year. In the angling world, this time ? known as ?tailor season? ? is a much anticipated event, with huge schools of big fish working the beaches. But if you can?t make it between late winter and early spring, rest assured, tailor season is just one date to mark in your calendar. The western side of Fraser has been known to reward the odd angler with a fine bag of bream, whiting and flathead.
Angler?s Advice
Pick the fish you?re after, and take advantage of the handy hints below to make the most of your fishing trip.
Fish: Tailor

Bait: Pilchard, 3 hook gang, lure

Timing: Late July to October

Location: Eastern Beaches

Fish: Dart

Bait: Pippies or worms

Timing: All year

Location: Eastern Beaches

Fish: Bream

Bait: Flesh strips, mullet gut, fowl gut, pippies

Timing: May to September

Location: Rocky outcrops on east coast or creeks on the west

Fish: Whiting

Bait: Worms, yabbies, pippies, prawns

Timing: All year

Location: Low tide on the east, creeks on the west

Fish: Flathead

Bait: Live baits, pilchards, lures

Timing: All year

Location: Rocky outcrops on east coast or creeks on the west

Fish: Jewfish

Bait: Whole mullet, tailor fillets, beach worms

Timing: May to September at night on the full moon, low or high tide

Location: Deep gutters and rocky outcrops

Of course, many more varieties are there for the taking, including mackerel, tuna, and reef fish. And if you?re not indisposed to a bit of sea fishing, you can book a berth on one of the larger boats launched to take advantage of the red emperor, coral trout, maori cod and parrot to be found off the Continental Shelf and local reefs.
Water Sports
As you?d expect, Fraser Island plays host to a vast array of water sports. Whether you?re after a lazy drifting afternoon ? cocktail in hand, or an invigorating workout, there?s a water sport for you. All fitness levels (and energy levels!) are catered for.
Ease yourself into the aqua-life with a refreshing dip at one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Surrounded by pure white sandy beaches, the clear blue waters of Lake McKenzie are without doubt amongst the most idyllic to be found. Alternatively, exercise your imagination with a visit to the ghostly shipwreck of the ?Maheno?, then submerge yourself in the crystal clear waters of Eli Creek.
Fraser Island sits on a huge reservoir of fresh water, and is home to numerous spectacular fresh water lakes, including some perched high above sea level. You have your choice of over 40 lakes? Lake Wabby, Champagne Pools, Basin Lake? to name but a few. Clearly, Fraser Island is amply equipped to pamper even the fussiest fresh water connoisseur.
For something a little more strenuous, why not hire paddle ski or canoe and paddle yourself up Dundonga Creek. It?s generally a 1 hour round trip, so by the time you return, you?ll be ready to settle back into some more relaxed pastimes.
Whale and Dolphin Watching
Every year from August to October, you can book a berth on a whale watch cruise. Enjoy a fantastic half day of sun, salt, and ocean breezes while keeping your eyes peeled for Fraser?s famous migrating humpbacks.
The annual humpback migration is truly an awesome spectacle. Family pods take a well earned rest in the waters west of Fraser Island after travelling 5000 km from the icy waters of the Antarctic. The sight of a 15 tonne (that?s the weight of 11 elephants!) adult female humpback rearing out of the ocean is absolutely awe-inspiring.
And don?t worry? if your holiday doesn?t coincide with the migration, you can still catch a cruise questing for dolphins, dugongs, turtles and the odd Indo Pacific Humpback.
Speak to your hotel or resort for information about organising a whale or dolphin watching cruise. Alternatively, contact Kingfisher Bay Resort and ask about their tours.
Tips & Reminders

Access to Fraser Island is via vehicular barge or catamaran
4WDs only on Fraser Island (there are no paved roads except in resorts)
Don?t feed or pet the dingoes (or any other animals)
No domestic animals allowed
Most activities on the island can be enjoyed individually or as part of a booked tour group
You?ll need permits to 4WD or camp
4WDs can be hired on the mainland or on the island
Don?t leave food unattended
All but the hardest sand can be unpredictable and perilous for a 4WD
High and low tide gutters around dawn or dusk are best for fishing
If four wheel driving, take a good map and a tyre pressure gauge

For further information about all aspects of Fraser Island, including accommodation, hire guides, and barge booking details and timetables, see http://www.boxatrix.com/.
How Much?

Accommodation - Prices vary from approximately $4 per night if you?re camping right up to $850 per night for the VIP room at the 4? star luxury of Kingfisher Bay Resort.
Permits - A 4WD vehicle permit will cost you $31.85. Camping permits are $4 per person per night or $16 per family per night. Children under 5 are free. To purchase a permit or obtain detailed information, call the Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service at Rainbow Beach on (07) 5486 3160.
Vehicular Barge Access - Barges operate daily from Hervey Bay and Rainbow Beach. Tickets start at $82.20 return per vehicle per driver. Extra vehicle passengers will cost $5.50 each. Several barges operate with different destinations on the island. Most require bookings.
4WD Hire - Rates start at around $90 per day for a Suzuki Sierra, up to $130 per day for a Landrover Defender (depending on the duration of hire).
Flights to Queensland - Qantas offers return flights to Hervey Bay via Brisbane from $407 departing Sydney, and from $527 departing Melbourne.

About The Author

Glenn Murray heads advertising copywriting studio Divine Write. He can be contacted on Sydney +612 4334 6222 or at glenn@divinewrite.com. Visit http://www.divinewrite.com for further details or more FREE articles.

Happy Trails for a Stress-Free Year

by: Kathleen Walls and David Leonhardt

Finding happiness is easier than you might think. Happiness is all around us, and all we have to do is hop in the car and hit the road to find it. Actually, there is more to true happiness than just jumping in the car, but for many people, self-actualization does involve discovering new places, new cultures, beautiful nature and secret little hideaways. Kathleen Walls, publisher of American Roads Magazine, and David Leonhardt, publisher of Your Daily Dose of Happiness share a few of their favorite “Happy Trails,” hoping you, too, will find happiness there.
MOJAVE DESERT
For a Canadian, snow is no big deal. This year, we’ve been shoveling it since early November. But to find snow in a desert, that really made my eyes pop. It was noon, and it had rained in Palm Springs, California, the previous evening. But the famous Mojave Desert is actually quite high up in the mountains, and the rain fell there as snow. Just how amazing was it to see snow tucked up against the north side of a cactus? Amazing enough that, through my jetlag, I delivered a mostly impromptu speech on the sighting at my Toastmasters club.
If you want to see snow sidling up to a cactus - what a photo op! - head for the desert in January or February, and make sure to choose a desert with a high altitude. The Mojave Desert proved most effective for this. Now, should I mention the Joshua trees?
YELLOWKNIFE
It really is hard to fill one’s eyes with wonder, what with Star Wars and The Lord of The Rings and so many special effects that make a person just want to yawn. Then, every now and then, one comes across something truly unique, something that actually does make your eyes pop with wonder. Such is Yellowknife, a town built on a peninsula of rock in the Arctic. What is unique about this town are the houses in the old city. There are some amazing mansions hoisted up on the rock. Well, at least some corners are on the rock. Others are on stilts one or two stories high. Each house is unique, and so are the various contraptions to keep them level on this uneven land. (Why would anybody choose this spot to settle in the first place, with so much flat land all around?)
The second amazing feature is the shanty-town shacks scattered among the mansions. In every other city, the slums and the ritzy parts of town are separate, but not in Yellowknife. I found that a truly stereotype- shattering sight.
LUSK CAVERNS, GATINEAU PARK
Happiness is spelunking. Let’s face it, you’ve done a million vacations on the road and in the air and on the water. How many have you done underground? Two, in my case. Once in Pennsylvania on a boat, and once in Gatineau Park, in Quebec.
If you think of a cave as something cavernous, these don’t qualify. The two caves are merely a passage for a stream that flows underground for a few yards. The first cave is just right for little children, who can wade in the gently-flowing water.
The second cave is a little more challenging, as the water pools into a miniature underground lake. In the spring, when the water is high, there’s not much room for a head to pass between the water and the roof of the cave. Of course, you have to be daring to brave the cold spring water. June is a great time to visit; by August there’s not as much water. And can there be anything happier than splashing in water while exploring a cave? Happiness is watching the sunrise over Mobile Bay. And what better time to visit the city by the bay than Mardi Gras, when the historic city puts on it’s party face. This traditional celebration was brought to Mobile by the French even before it was established in New Orleans. That history is preserved at the Mardi Gras Cottage Museum located on the grounds of Oakleigh, an antebellum mansion located in the historic section of this fun city. Centuries of Mardi Gras history are packed into this little cottage. Be sure to visit Oakleigh while you are there. In fact Mobile is packed with great historic sites from the French Fort Conte to the U.S.S Alabama, These sites have been carefully preserved or restored
Take time away from the celebrating to visit Bellingrath Gardens and home, Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Weeks Bay Preserve, and Mobile Botanical Gardens (which will introduce you to the ecological diversity of Mobile as well). Then there are all of those parades. All of which are guaranteed to make you feel good.
MACON GEORGIA: SPORTS HALL OF FAME INDUCTION
For some people, sports equate happiness. The Georgia Sports Hall of Fame’s 46th Induction Class, which will be held February 7-8 2003, will includes two female pioneers, arguably baseball’s greatest home run hitter, one of football’s best place kickers, a Peach State high school coaching legend, and one of Georgia’s most celebrated golfers.
Georgia Sports Hall of Fame is the newest of Macon’s attractions housing memorabilia of pro and amateur athletes in all fields. You can even experience the thrill of driving in a Nascar event without the danger. Climb into a racecar and take the wheel in a fast paced race. Hear the sound when you ram the fence. Experience the thrill of the track. Then get the results of your foray into professional racecar driving. Depending on how well you drive, the results may or my not make you happy. The museum is sure to be a crowd pleaser for sports fans and non-fans alike
FORT VALLEY GEORGIA: FESTIVALOF CAMELLIAS
Flowers are a sure mood lifter, so don’t miss the Festival of Camellias at Massee Lane Gardens in Fort Valley Georgia encompasses the entire month of February when camellia blooms are at their peak.(Something is out of place in this sentence.) The flowers begin to show color in October and continue through late March.
Not only camellias show their beautiful faces here. Each season provides a new delight for the eyes with roses, flowering bulbs, day lilies and much more. Even the path winding throughout the gardens is unusual. Scattered randomly through it you will find ancient millstones gathered from middle Georgia. Also along the path you spot granite mile stones from the Old Wire Road witch ran from New Orleans to Washington, D. C. The road was so named because it was the route of the first telegraph lines in the southeast.
After you have absorbed nature’s outdoor offerings, visit the two museums housing the largest public collection of Boehm Porcelains. Here you will find nature reproduced so exquisitely you will sometimes think you are looking on a live bird or a blooming flower.
ATHENS GEORGIA: TASTE OF ATHENS
Food is sure to make everyone happy and Taste of Athens, a community fund raiser, is sure to make you feel good all over. You get to sample all of the exotic restaurants Athens Georgia abounds in all under on roof and contribute to a good cause at the same time this February 23th.
Athens’ restaurants are hard to beat both in number and in excellent cuisine. Harry Bissett’s New Orleans Cafe and Oyster Bar, where you experience the ambience as well as the authentic food of “The Big Easy”. It’s housed in an old bank building and the mellow brick walls are reminiscent of some of the French Quarter’s courtyard restaurants. The majority of the food served here is spicy, for example The Blackened Redfish, gumbo and Crawfish Etoffee, but there are enough less heated dishes to suit any taste. Any festival that brings all of these culinary delights together makes me happy.
It looks like for David, happiness is scenery, and for Kathleen, it’s festivals. Whatever it is about traveling that turns you on, now’s the time to hit the trail. So “Happy Trails to you until we meet again.”

About The Author

Kathleen Walls is publisher of American Roads Magazine at http://www.americanroads.net, and David Leonhardt is publisher of Your Daily Dose of Happiness at http://www.TheHappyGuy.com/daily-happiness-free-ezine.html.

info@TheHappyGuy.com

Even During the Dog Days of Summer, It is Possible to Stay Cool in Texas

by: Casey Coke

While Glen Rose, Texas may be best known as America’s Dream Town 2004 and the Dinosaur Capitol of Texas, it is also an excellent place to visit to beat the Texas heat. This time of year vacationers are looking for the best ways to enjoy the summer, while staying cool at the same time. A combination of water fun, nighttime entertainment and luxurious accommodations is an excellent way see Glen Rose and to beat the Texas heat.
Spending time in the two beautiful rivers in Glen Rose, the Brazos and Paluxy, can mean hours of cool enjoyment. The Brazos River is one of the most popular canoeing and tubing rivers in Texas and offers miles of cool water relaxation. The folks at Low Water Bridge Canoe Rentals offers guests float trips of 3, 7, 10, 14, 24 and 31 miles. The Brazos also has many sand bars and sandy beaches that make for great picnic spots or swim areas. While drifting down the river, it is not uncommon to see all types of wildlife like goats, deer, armadillos, foxes and even a rare glimpse of a Bald Eagle.
For travelers looking for something a little less exerting than canoeing and tubing, a visit down to the Paluxy River may be in order. A local hotspot, but not widely known by travelers, is Big Rock Park. The park derives its name from the multitude of large rocks and boulders that have been cut out by years of flowing water from the river. These rocks provide excellent sunbathing opportunities and access to the crystal clear water of the Paluxy for swimming and wading. Big Rock Park is located just outside of downtown Glen Rose. The Paluxy River also runs through Dinosaur Valley State Park and is home to some of the best-preserved dinosaur tracks in the world, not to mention clear blue swimming holes and tall rock bluffs. Dinosaur Valley State Park is located just south of Glen Rose off Hwy 67.
Another outstanding way to relax and stay cool is by taking in a performance by Warm Country Heart at the Warm Country Heart Theatre (www.warmcountryhearttheatre.com) on the historic square in downtown Glen Rose. This is a band of highly trained musicians who perform Branson-style music. Warm Country Heart produces a show that pays tribute to the Masters Festival of Music Greats: Floyd Cramer, Chet Atkins, and Boots Randolph. They perform the instrumental magic of the legendary “Masters Three” vocal arrangements of Classic Country Hits of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s and a little bit of humor. The shows run every Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 PM and Saturday afternoons at 1:00 PM.
After playing in the rivers and experiencing first class music, its time to check in at the Best Western Dinosaur Valley Inn and Suites (www.dinosaurvalleyinn.com) for top-notch accommodations. Guests at this nationally recognized hotel will enjoy the outdoor amenities such as the large swimming pool, 15-person spa, kiddie pool with waterfall covered by a pergola (to keep the kids protected from the sun), cool misters that drop the temperature up to 20 degrees and the exotic fish pond stocked with Japanese koi fish.
If the heat outside becomes too much, then Best Western Dinosaur Valley Inn and Suites guests will enjoy taking advantage of the indoor amenities such as the exercise room, game room, dinosaur artifacts display and gallery, large comfortable sitting area and coloring books for the children.
As always, guests are welcome to help themselves to the Texas-sized deluxe continental breakfast each morning, 24-hour beverage service and the evening snacks, which consists of popcorn, nachos and the summer time special navy beans and rice.
For more information on the locations mentioned visit www.glenrosearea.com.

About The Author

Casey writes feature articles for Glenrosearea.com and the Dinosaur Valley Inn and Suites located in Glen Rose, TX

by: Steve Gillman

On Lake Michigan, at the end of the Stonington Peninsula, there’s a stretch of empty beach. Part of the Hiawatha National Forest, it’s framed on either side by private property, with no easy access. To walk on the beach, however, is legal. Past the last cabin, the public land starts, and goes for six or seven miles. This is where I would test my ultralight backpacking skills and gear.
I hiked a few miles the first day and explored the woods, where I ate wild blueberries for an hour. Then I set up camp behind a small ridge on the beach. I collected dry grass along the edge of the forest, which made a nice mattress. I pitched my backpacking tarp fairly high, so the breeze would keep out the mosquitos. When camp was set, I went for a swim.
This area has many crayfish, which look and taste just like miniature lobsters. After swimming I caught a dozen under the rocks in shallow water, and carried them back to camp in a whipped-cream container I found. You never know what will wash up on a beach.
I boiled them with some cattail hearts and evening primrose roots, in my cheap three ounce pan. It made a good meal with the crackers I brought. (You remove the meat from the tail of the crayfish, after cooking.)
It was summer, so I hadn’t brought a sleeping bag. At seventeen ounces, my bag wouldn’t have added much to my packweight of eight pounds. I just wanted to try using a nylon sleeping bag liner I had recently sewn (5 ounces). I wore my clothes to bed, including a hat I made from the sleeve of an old thermal shirt (1 ounce). I slept well, and ate granola bars for breakfast.
Water was all around, so I only had a 16-ounce plastic pop bottle (1 ounce) and a few iodine tablets for purification. I took a good drink before I packed up.
I found fresh bear tracks on the beach. The bear had walked within 60 yards of where I slept. I had a freon horn (2 ounces) that I’d bought after reading that people have used it’s high-decible shriek to scare off bears. I pulled it out. I followed the tracks for an hour, but only because I was going in that direction.
I had two old cabins to explore, another patch of berries I knew about, and a beach full things to check out. The strangest item that regularly washes up is light bulbs. I take them home to use them. After years of finding these, a sailor finally told me that they throw them off the ships to shoot at them in the water. I was finding the ones they missed.
The next day I headed back. The rain I expected never came, so I didn’t get to test my garbage bag rainsuit (2 ounces), but I had used a similar one with success before. Overall, I was happy with my ultralight backpacking “test.” Of course, you can get by with fragile clothing and gear when you’re hiking an open beach. Oh, and I never did see the bear.

About The Author

Steve Gillman is a long-time backpacker, and advocate of lightweight backpacking. His advice and stories can be found at http://www.The-Ultralight-Site.com.

by: The Travel Writers of Travel Mountain

Today’s Acapulco
Acapulco is probably Mexico’s oldest established resort town but, thanks to a recent renaissance, this remarkable town has maintained its status as one of Mexico’s top travel destinations and the place to be to enjoy a magnificent Mexico vacation.
It’s easy to see why Acapulco attracts travelers of all ages. During its endless sunny days, this Pacific coast town offers beaches that are second-to-none. Visitors can enjoy amazing water adventures or lie in the warmth of the sun and soak up the rays in this city that boasts sunshine nearly every day of the year, with average temperatures in the 80s. Delightful!
Renovations have made the beaches even more accommodating. Old hotels and resorts have been updated and improved and the waters around Acapulco have become pollution-free, thanks to the city government’s commitment to maintaining a balance of nature.
With this commitment, the city has invested over $1 billion in public and private infrastructure improvements to counteract any damage that may have occurred to the environment. Not only has the water been improved, but beaches are now cleaner and the fragile eco-system is a top priority.
For visitors to Acapulco, Mexico, this is great news. The fears of contracting intestinal illnesses from poor drinking water have been greatly reduced and guests are more eager to consider Acapulco as a vacation destination for the entire family, thanks to this new facelift.
Acapulco Vacation Ideas
There are plenty of reasons to visit this beautiful port city, but many choose a trip to this top travel destination so that they may enjoy the wide variety of incredible watersports available to guests of all ages.
SCUBA divers who visit this Mexican Riviera town won’t be disappointed. They’ll find sunken ships, walls, caves, sea mountains, and small coral formations. Viewing the native marine life is fun and fascinating!
For those who prefer not to strap on a tank and dive into the waters of the ocean, snorkeling is an enjoyable alternative and still affords a great look at Mexico’s sea creatures.
Boating vacations are also popular in Acapulco, Mexico. Rent a boat or take a chartered trip and enjoy the waters of Acapulco Bay, one of the world’s foremost natural harbors. Get up close and personal with the large cruise ships and other boats that dock there. Combine your trip with some deep-sea fishing for a great Acapulco adventure.
The water, of course, isn’t the only incredible feature of this picturesque top travel destination. There’s plenty to do and see on land, too. Golf fanatics will find lots of places to practice their stroke and tennis aficionados can work on their serve or backhand while on their Acapulco, Mexico vacation.
Don’t forget the kids! Adults aren’t the only ones who will love Acapulco. This kid-friendly destination loves children and resorts do everything possible to make them feel at home, from offering special kid’s clubs to serving cookies and milk before bedtime.
Children will enjoy the sandy white beaches as well as Acapulco’s other interesting attractions including a large number of lush green parks, old forts, an aquarium, water parks, amusement areas, and even a roller skating rink. There’ll be no grumpy faces here!
History buffs will want to sign up for a guided history tour of the city, which includes stops at landmarks such as Fort San Diego, the Chapel of Peace, and the old Flamingo Hotel, frequented long ago by the biggest names in Hollywood.
Restaurants and Nightlife
Hungry vacationers will never be disappointed at this top travel destination. The restaurants in Acapulco are varied and impressive, offering a wide range of international cuisine. Many are quite affordably-priced and family-friendly while others offer the finest five-star gourmet food at upscale prices.
In the evenings, Acapulco literally sparkles! Its reputation as an exciting party destination is legendary. Dance clubs are everywhere and most club-hoppers visit several each evening. Clubs make Acapulco a popular destination with the twenty-something set as well as couples traveling sans children.
Accommodations
The waterfront at Acapulco is lined with some of the most beautiful resorts in North America, tall and shiny, with evening lights that reflect off the water and make for a breathtaking sight.
Visitors to Acapulco, Mexico can choose from small, lower priced hotels, exquisite resorts that offer all-inclusive packages, or something in between. The best resorts feature an easy walk to the beach as well as a number of fine amenities including multiple pools, spas, fitness rooms, several restaurants, and concierge services that are eager and willing to help you with whatever you need during your vacation to this top travel destination. Check out www.travelmountain.com for more information on Acapulco lodging for every budget.
Those who prefer a ?home away from home? in a less crowded setting might also consider a vacation rental condo or single home for their stay in Acapulco, Mexico.
When to Go
The weather in Acapulco is just about perfect all year round, so when you’re planning your Mexico vacation, remember that you can visit this wonderful destination just about any time. The sun shines nearly every day and the monthly highs remain in the 80s, except for during the hottest summer months when they stretch a bit higher.
Regardless of the season, visitors to this top vacation destination on Mexico’s Pacific Coast will find that Acapulco is a place where vacation memories can be made, thanks to its ideal climate, remarkable beaches and clear waters, fine resorts, interesting attractions, and fun activities that never end. Visit paradise! Visit Acapulco!

About The Author

The Travel Writers of www.travelmountain.com make it easy for you to learn all about a favorite vacation destination. Visit www.travelmountain.com right now and subscribe to our free newsletter. Be the first to find out about great travel savings!
traveler@travelmountain.com

Don’t Drink The Water

by: Steve Gillman

Definitely don’t drink the water if the locals don’t. Aside from this travel guideline, it’s tough to judge when it is safe to drink the water in another country. It is often best to rely on bottled water, which is available almost everywhere now, and is cheaper in other countries than in the United States.
Are you safe if you just drink bottled water? Well, was the salad you ate washed in the local tap water? If so, you may not feel well later. If they don’t post a sign saying the food is washed in purified water, ask them. Otherwise, it may be best to skip the salad. On the other hand, the Latin-American custom of dressing salads with lime juice may actually kill the bacteria from the wash water. I’ve taken my chances, with good luck so far.
Ice cubes are often the cause of water-borne illnesses among tourists. If you’re not sure that the ice cubes are made with purified water, order your drink without ice. Also, brush your teeth with bottled water to be safe. Showering is usually safe unless you stand there with your mouth open.
Food Safety
Use common sense when choosing a restaurant. The kitchen won’t be cleaner than the customer area. In Mexico I saw a box of meat sit unrefridgerated for three days. It was still for sale when I left town. It occurred to me that although I wouldn’t buy meat from that store, the restaurant I ate at might. Notice signs of cleanliness, and wipe the edge of our glass before you drink.
My wife and I eat almost anywhere, and have so far been healthy during our travels. We always have a small plastic bottle of waterless hand-sanitizer gel handy, and we use it before meals when traveling. It often isn’t the food that gets you sick, but the bacteria from your hands, which have been touching money and other biologically active things all day. Wash your hands a lot, use sanitizer, and you’ll cut the risk of illness in half.
Not sure which restaurants are clean and safe? Ask the locals. Also, watch to see what local residents do when eating. Do they refuse the milk, or do they bring their own soup spoons? If you’re in an area where the standards of cleanliness and food safety are just plain lower than you like, you can look for a restaurant owned by someone from a country with higher standards.
For total safey when you travel, don’t drink the water or eat in restaurants at all, or just don’t travel. Seriously though, you can eat quite well from packaged foods, and you can bring iodine pills to make purified water. Eat fruit washed in your iodine-water, and you can even maintain a healthy diet while traveling.

About The Author

Steve Gillman hit the road at sixteen, and traveled the U.S. and Mexico alone at 17. Now 40, he travels with his wife Ana, whom he met in Ecuador. To read their stories, tips and travel information, visit: http://www.EverythingAboutTravel.com.

by: Mayank Jhanji

?As dark gray clouds gather in the sky, it reminds me of eternal gifts that our Mother Nature has presented to us.?
Truly, nature has her own subtle way of expressing love and affection to us. During monsoon season, when tiny rain droplets fall to the ground, the sky gives an impression of an estranged mother who is shedding tears in joy on meeting her beloved children. Though, it seems like a philosophical illusion, yet portrays the kindness that nature has showered on us by creating monsoon season to enjoy.
If someone denies its desire to get wet in the rain, probably he or she is lying. A little kid in us who is lost in ages of maturity suddenly pops out when it sees tiny droplets falling on to the earth. The temptation to get wet and enjoy the raindrops falling on our body is irresistible.
In metros and cities, we can see the joy of monsoon on everyone faces. Kids dancing on streets, elders enjoying rain in the balcony of their house and women preparing hot pakoras and coffee for everyone in the family are hallmark of first monsoon rain. And what else the romantic lovers want better than the rainy season to spend some intimate moments with each other. We can see them sharing a common umbrella on a local bus stand or going for a long drive to invoke those romantic moments that were kept in backseat thanks to scotching summer heat. In its own elusive way, it somehow justifies the renowned MasterCard advertisement that says ?There are some things that money can?t buy, for everything else use MasterCard.? Truly, these moments of happiness and sense of togetherness are priceless and cannot be bought, rather felt and loved. Ah!! Monsoon Season.
In rural areas where agriculture is the primary source of income, the season of rains bears a special significance. Faces of hope gazing at sky towards smallest of cloud spread, anxious look of farmers at their fields on which their future depends and community prayers in villages for timely rains are traits of anxiety of people in rural areas just before the monsoon season. In some manner, this ambience is explained rhythmically in a song from Aamir Khan?s internationally acclaimed movie ?Lagaan? that goes like ?Kaale Megha Kaale Megha, Paani to Barsaao?.
And why not so when two-third of our population is directly or indirectly related to agriculture for its livelihood and nearly a quarter of country?s economy is dependent upon agriculture. For them, good monsoon not only brings the bumper harvest but consequently also improved standards of living.
Indian Culture has a long tradition of using festivals as medium to mark the beginning and conclusion of any season. Consequently, there are many festivals associated with the onset of monsoon too. In Rajasthan, ?Teej festival? is held every year in July and August months to mark the advent of monsoon. During this festival, women pray to almighty for good production and buy new clothes and jewellery in anticipation of good monsoon this year. People in Meghalaya also organize a festival called ?Behdienkhlam? to invoke the blessings of god for bumper harvest. This festival features religious ceremonies and dancing around a water pool called ?eit nar?.
One of the prominent Hindu festivals that mark the beginning of rainy season is ?Naga Panchami?. This popular Hindu festival is dedicated to Ananta, the serpent upon whose coils Vishnu (The Rain God) rested between universes. People offer milk and worship snake images in temples on this day to protect them from snakebites that are common in areas near to the riverbed.
But, the biggest of all festivals is ?Sri Jagannath Yatra? that is celebrated all over the country with much delight. During this festival, the chariot processions of Sri Jagannath are taken throughout the main streets. The biggest of the processions is held in Puri, Orissa where people from all over the world come to this small city to participate in the mega event.
The significance of Monsoon season is much more than giving us enjoyment. In India, rivers are the major life lines on which the country?s population is heavily dependent The rainfall occurs during the Monsoon season fill these rivers and its tributaries with enough water to feed people all through the year. This rainwater is used primarily for drinking and other essential purposes and any shortage of it can create severe problems like drought for us.
Also, good monsoons are a big necessity in our country where farmers rely more on divine help rather than government authorities to bring water to their fields. Timely rains not only solve their water woes but also help them raising a good food production that is so essential to feed such a huge population like of us. With good monsoons, the level of groundwater also increases in urban areas and consequently solving water problems that occur during summer season. Though we are still very much ignorant about water management techniques. With strategic planning like proper canalization, creation of man made reservoirs and water management techniques, we can utilize the natural rainwater in much more efficient manner to boost our agricultural growth as well as solving urban water problems.
The romance of the Indian monsoon, with its abundant rains and lush green landscape that has been rhapsodized down the ages in verse and song, can be promoted as a “unique” tourist attraction. Monsoon in India are exquisite and to fillip the tourist activities during monsoon season, the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) has mooted the idea of providing tourists ?a unique experience? in the form of ?Special Tourism Packages?. A CII study paper has recommended states like Kerela, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttranchal, Sikkim, and Himachal Pradesh to promote themselves as Monsoon tourism destinations by introducing special schemes to attract tourists within the country and all over the world. These schemes will generate new employment avenues and also help government earn precious foreign exchange that International tourists will spend during their stay in India
Monsoons in Kerala are the most enchanting in India. With green pastures at its best, it is the most sought after destination during rainy season. The state is promoting itself extensively in the field of health tourism especially Ayurveda. The equable climate during Monsoon and natural abundance of herbs and medicinal plants in its flora, Kerala is fast capturing the attention of International tourists as a prime destination to visit during the Monsoon Season. With its abundant water reservoir of waterfalls and natural lakes, Northeastern region is also fast emerging as a hot monsoon destination among local as well as International tourists.
The phrase ?Expressions of love and happiness cannot be taught. They come to you naturally,? says it all. Every living entity shows its love for the rains in its own magical way. Immediately, after the rain plants seem to be thrilled and grow much faster and greener with new branches shot up. We can also see peacock dancing in the rain or scurrying of partridge on green fields to show their happiness on arrival of monsoons. In true sense, rains symbolize the life itself. When dark clouds cover the sky and start showering raindrops on us, I heard everyone around me saying ?Ah!! Its Monsoon Season.?

About The Author

Hello! This is Mayank from India. Though, I’m a software engg but still playing with words is my past time hobby. So, kindly don’t forget to enter your flowers and thorns about the article so that next time I can come with much better content and expressions in front of you. Thanks!!
minkswantfun@yahoo.com

Namibia: A Bountiful Harvest Awaits the Adventure Traveler

by: Andrew Muigai

Namibia is a largely arid country of stark rough-hewn beauty. The most vivid images are those of a haunting technicolor landscape of swirling orange dunes, shimmering mirages and treacherous dust devils. The apparent desolation is deceptive and plant and animal life and even man has adapted to this environment. The country is designed almost specially with the active and adventure seeker in mind. Timeless deserts, thorn bush savanna, desolate wind ravaged coastlines, majestic canyons, and sun-baked saltpans are the bounty that awaits the traveler.
Namibia’s top draw is the Etosha National Park, rated as one of Africa’s finest game sanctuaries. The birding experience in the country is truly superior. On a Namibia safari: http://www.africapoint.com/tours1/namibia.htm, the range of activities you can indulge in the unsurpassable physical environment is truly impressive. Ballooning over the desert, skydiving over land and sea, paragliding, whitewater rafting and sand skiing along coastal dunes are good activities for starters. More fun games to pick from include abseiling – that most spectacular of rock sports, coastal and fresh water angling, desert camel riding, scuba diving, 4×4 desert runs, hiking and mountaineering.
Namibia has four distinct geographical regions. In the north is Etosha Pan, a great area for wildlife and heart of Etosha National Park. The slender Caprivi Strip is nested between Zambia and Botswana and is a wet area of woodland blessed with a few rivers. Along the coast is the Namib Desert, which at the age of 80 million years old, is said to be the world’s oldest desert. At the coast, the icy cold Atlantic meets the blazing African desert, resulting in dense fogs. The well-watered central plateau runs north to south, and carries rugged mountains, magnificent canyons, rocky outcrops and expansive plains.
Namibia, one and half times the size of France, is very sparsely inhabited and carries only 1.8 million souls. The people are as unique as the land they live on. The most intriguing are the San, otherwise known as Bushmen. These most hardy of people have a highly advanced knowledge of their environment. It is a marvelous thing how well they are adapted to their difficult habitat. Just pause and think that these are the only people in the world who live with no permanent access to water. In the Kalahari Desert, one of their domiciles, surface water is not to be found. Tubers, melons, and other water bearing plants as well as underground sip wells supply their water requirements.
In Namibia today, Bushmen number about 50,000. Historians estimate that they have lived, mostly as hunters and gatherers, for at least 25,000 years in these parts of the world. Bushmen speak in a peculiar click language and are very gifted in the arts of storytelling, mimicry, and dance. Namibia’s other people, who are indigenous to the continent, are mostly of Bantu origin. They are thought to have arrived from western Africa from about 2,400 years ago. The African groups include the Owambo, Kavango, Caprivians, Herero, Himba, Damara, Nama and Tswana.
The Africans aside, other groups comprise about 15% of the population and have played an important role in the emergence of the modern nation. White Namibians amount to about 120,00 and are mainly of German and Afrikaner heritage. Germans arrived in significant numbers after 1884 when Bismarck declared the country a German Protectorate. Afrikaners, white farmers of Dutch origin, moved north from their Cape settlements, especially after the Dutch Cape Colony was ceded to the British in 1806. This strongly independent people, whose ancestors had lived in the Cape from 1652 resented British control.
Two other distinct groups complete the spectrum of Namibia’s people - Basters and Coloureds. Coloured in Namibia and southern Africa refers to people of mixed racial heritage, black- white for example. They have a separate identity and culture. This makes sense considering that Namibia was run by South Africa after the First World War. Even in pre-Apartheid South Africa, racial classification was a fine art. The Afrikaans-speaking Basters, descended from Hottentot women and Dutch settlers of the Cape. Alienated from both white and black communities, they trekked northwards, finally founding their own town Rehoboth, in 1871. Baster is actually derived from “bastard”, but it is not derogatory, and the Basters are indeed proud of it.
Namibia’s barren and unwelcoming coastlines served as a natural deterrent to the ambitions of European explorers. That was until 1884 when the German merchant Adolf Luderitz established a permanent settlement between the Namib Desert and the Atlantic seaboard that afterwards took his name. Bismarck subsequently declared the territory covered by Namibia a German colony and named it S?dwestafrika or South West Africa. As German settlers moved into the interior, conflict was inevitable with the inheritors of the land.
The German occupation was a particularly unhappy experience for the Herero. The Herero resented the German’s harsh and racist rule and the effect of the encroachment on their lands on their livelihood and way of life. On the first day of the year 1904, the Herero led by Chief Samuel Maharero, rose suddenly and unexpectedly in arms against their colonial overlords. The Nama joined the insurrection and the authorities did not regain control even after six months of trying. Over 100 German settlers and soldiers died in the uprising. Historians now consider events that followed to constitute the first genocide of the twentieth century.
Lieutenant General Lothar von Trotha was furnished with a contingent of 14,000 soldiers and tasked to put down the rebellion. The governor general of the territory was then Rudolph Goering -the father of Herman Goering, Hitler’s right hand man. Lothar von Trotha was a generation ahead of his time and his kind of thinking was to become government policy under the Third Reich. He argued that the Herero must be destroyed as a people and he did not wince at the murder of women or children. At the end of it all, 100,000 Nama and Herero were killed. The survivors were herded in concentration camps where unspeakable things happened. The Herero fared very badly and 80% of her people perished. The population of the Nama diminished by 35-50%.
Windhoek, the capital of 165,000 people is the only true city in the country. For those traveling to more remote regions, this is where you settle practical matters. The positive aspects of the German period can be seen in the charming style of older buildings in the city. Places of interest in the city include the State Museum, State Archives, and the Namibia Crafts Centre. The Dan Viljoen Game Park lies 24 Km west of Windhoek on the gentle hills of Khoma Hochland. In this resort you find ostriches, baboons, zebras and over 200 species of birds. The Waterburg Plateau Park, located 230 km from Windhoek is popular with weekenders. This extensive mountain wilderness is home to cheetah, leopard, kudu, giraffe, and white rhino.
Etosha National Park: http://www.africapoint.com/tours1/namibia.htm is what brings wildlife lovers to Namibia. The park is comparable in size and diversity of species with the best in Africa. The unusual terrain of Etosha holds savanna grassland, dense brush and woodland. But it is the Etosha Pan, a depression that sometimes holds water and covers 5,000 sq km, that is the heart of park. The perennial springs around the pan, attract many birds and land animals in the dry winter months. The effect of this background is magical and some of the best wildlife photographs have been taken here.
There are 144 mammal species in the park and elephants are particularly abundant. Some other interesting wildlife here includes giraffe, leopard, cheetah, jackal, blue wildebeest, gemsbok and black rhino. The birding is great at Etosha and over 300 bird species have been recorded. You will get best value by spending at least three days here. There are excellent accommodation facilities at the three rest camps of Namutoni, Halali and Okaukuejo. The best time to see animals is between May and September, when water draws them in huge numbers to the edge of the pan. Etosha is 400 km to the north of Windhoek by road.
The Fish River Canyon: http://www.africapoint.com/tours1/namibia.htm is unrivalled in Africa and only the Grand Canyon in the U.S in larger. The Canyon runs for 160 km and reaches a width of 27 km and depth of 550 m. But size alone does not explain the appeal of the canyon. You experience incredible views at various points along the rim. Adventure lovers do not merely come for the views. Hiking through the canyon is the ultimate endurance adventure for hikers. There is an established 90 km hiking trail that will take you 4-5 days to cover.
The trail ends at Ai-Ais hot spring resort where you can unwind. You are allowed to hike between early May and end of September. The hike is quite strenuous and needless to say, you must be physically fit. The authorities disbelieve the capacity of most people to undertake the hike and will actually insist on seeing a medical certificate of fitness before allowing you to start off. Fish River Canyon is 580 km to the south of Windhoek.
The Skeleton Coast has been the graveyard of seafarers and whales and deserves that morbid name. The problem is the dense fogs. And woe to the ship wreck survivor who expects respite onshore! Ahead is the Namib Desert, one of the driest and most unwelcoming places. Adventure travelers love trekking along the coastline as they enjoy the stark beauty of the area. To the south at Cape Cross, you find a seal colony carrying tens of thousands of seals. The Skeleton Coast Park covers 16,400 sq km and begins at 355 km northwest of Windhoek.
The Portuguese explorer Diego Cao reached this part of the world in the year 1486. He is probably one of the people whose experiences discouraged Europeans from venturing ashore until the arrival of the Germans 400 years later. Further south is the Namib-Naukluft National Park, a vast wilderness covering 50,000 sq km. The landscape is very diverse and covers mountain outcrops, majestic sand dunes, and deep cut gorges. For really spectacular dunes, the Sossusvlei area is unsurpassed. Here you have dunes rising to 300 m! The orange tint giants extend as far as the horizon and the area has an unreal, unforgettable atmosphere.
To the northeast of the country, the well-watered Kavango and Caprivi Strip region offers an unspoilt wilderness suitable for rugged game viewing and camping. The area also promises a feast for bird lovers. Game reserves in the area include: Kaudom, Caprivi, Mahango, Mudumu and Mamili. Poachers did great damage to wildlife during the years of the civil war in neighbouring Angola. Animal numbers are however building up rapidly. Some of the wildlife in the region includes leopard, elephant, buffalo, cheetah, lion and various antelope species. The Caprivi Reserve falls in an area of swamps and flood plains. Here you have an opportunity to partake fishing, hiking, game viewing safaris and river trips in traditional mokoro boats.
In Namibia you can enjoy up to 300 days of sunshine. The coast is temperate and thermometers run between 5C-25C. Inland, daytime temperatures range from 20C-34C, but can rise to 40C in the north and south of the country. Winter nights can be quite cold and frost occurs over large parts of the country. The rains inland fall in summer (November-April) and are heaviest in the Caprivi region. Rains do not much affect travel, but beware of flash floods in the vicinity of riverbeds. The best time to travel is over the dry months of March to October, when it is easier to see animals at waterholes. It is best to avoid the Namib Desert and Etosha between December and March when it can get unbearably hot.
You can get by wearing light cottons and linens in summer. Over winter nights and mornings, you need heavier cottons, warmer wraps and sweaters. Comfortable walking shoes are essential, as the ground gets very hot. Some useful stuff to pack includes: camera, binoculars, sunglasses, sun hats, sunscreen and mosquito repellant. Be ready for dusty conditions and carry your clothing, equipment and supplies in dust proof bags. Do not be tempted to buy items made of ivory. You may not be allowed to carry them through customs at home. And it also good that you do not encourage the trade in ivory products that keeps poachers busy.
Copyright © Africa Point: http://www.africapoint.com

About The Author

Andrew Muigai is editor of AfricaPoint Insider online newsletter. It is part of AfricaPoint.com - the Africa travel website that has helped thousands of travelers discover Africa.
travel@africapoint.com