Spending A Relaxing Holiday In Seattle

The beautiful city of Seattle is nestled between Lake Washington and Puget Sound. It is often called the Emerald City because of its lush greenery and landscape. It is a popular tourist destination for its natural beauty, tourist attractions and a vibrant nightlife. There are several flights to Seattle from all over the United States, which will enable you to reach the city.

Some of the best museums in the U.S. are located in this city. There are special museums to enjoy Chinese and Japanese art. The museums that are extremely popular in the city include Burke Museum, the city's Art Museum and the Asian Art Museum.

Perhaps, the most striking aspect of the city is its greenery. Taking one of the many cheap flights to Seattle will allow you see lush green grass and colorful flowers amidst a concrete jungle, giving the city a unique charm and appearance. Many of the city's parks are used by residents for jogging and walking. Some of the best parks in the city are Golden Gardens Park, Green Lake and Discovery Park.

The city also has many fairs and festivals. The Sea Fair is usually held in the month of July or August. Here you can see hydroplane races, parade, rides and food stalls. Another fair that the city hosts is the Fremont Fair, which is worth visiting.

Children will enjoy the Fish Aquarium in the city, where they can see an array of aquatic life. They can even go underwater in a glass dome to catch a glimpse of the sharks and other marine life, swimming blissfully in the crystal clear water. You can also take a fishing expedition or go on a relaxing cruise.

No visit to the city is complete without checking out the Pike Place Market. This is a 100-year old market with fish stalls, fruits stalls, antique shops, and memento and souvenir shops. You will definitely find many things to buy and take home.

Those who can get cheap tickets to Seattle should grab them without delay, as it will allow them to visit the famous Space Needle. This is an architectural wonder which will ascend you 520 feet to the observation deck in a super fast lift in 41 seconds. There is also a revolving restaurant at the top. You can get a 360 degree view of the entire city from this restaurant. Close to this attraction is the Seattle Center, which is a fairground where you can buy art, discounted goods, enjoy a fountain display and allow your kids to enjoy some rides. This is also where you can see the Experience Music Project by Paul Allen.

Kids will love the Woodland Park Zoo. Kids can go on a duck ride, enjoy a thrilling ride on amphibious Second World War vehicles or take an underground tour to find out how the early settlers of the city lived here.

You can easily get cheap airfares on low cost airlines. if you book your ticket early enough on US Airways or British Airways, you can get discounted fares. It is best to compare different airline prices before doing your booking. This way you will get the best fares to spend a memorable holiday in this lush green city.

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A Mission Trip Changes You

You go on a mission trip with the proposed purpose of making a difference in someone else's life. You come back with the profound knowledge that it's your life that has been changed. My recent mission trip to Kenya proved this to me - again. In 1999, I went with a group to Honduras and that trip resulted just the same. Yes, we did some good, (building homes in Honduras and helping a church to grow in Kenya). But it is the personal changes that a mission trip creates that validates us going.

As I preparing for this trip, I honestly had mixed feelings. The total cost for 14 of us going on this trip was pretty high between airfare, lodging, vehicle rentals, food, and the donations to the church and orphanage while there. I was calculating this cost and thinking - could not that money be spent here in Hawkinsville? Was this a glorified vacation with a "mission" theme so that we could all rationalize the expense in our own minds? I was leaving behind a fellow that I had just met that had not eaten in two days - would not helping him be better than me taking this trip?

But by then, the plans were made, the money was paid, and the tickets were bought. So I went. And I can conclusively say - I am glad I did! I believe the change, the focus, in me has been permanently altered. A mission trip forces you to get out of your day to day life with your day to day perceptions. We see the same thing everyday. We talk the same politics everyday. We see the same needs everyday, and we become oblivious to them all.

Let me tell you of the trip:

Tea Village

We arrived in Kenya, got settled in, and then immediately went to Pastor Shaddrack's Tea Village Church. This particular Tea Village is owned by one of the tea company plantations. They provide housing (a block house with no running water) to the family for helping to harvest tea. There were several hundred houses in this village. This church is a new church and we were going to help "disciple" the 30-40 members so that the church could grow deeper in it's knowledge of Christian ideals. Personally, I was assigned to teach a two hour lesson on Prayer.

We also planned on teaching many Bible lessons to the children of the community. The children are the key to getting the adults to show up. On the first day, dozens of children arrived and probably 6 or 7 adults. We taught Bible stories to the children. We played with the children. And we taught our discipleship lessons to the older youth and adults that showed up. Then in the afternoon, we went to help with an orphanage that serviced 54 children. Most all of these children were orphaned due to the Aids epidemic that is in the land. BesAnn, a young 24 year old woman, cares daily for these children providing 3 meals and Bible lessons. She is a remarkable lady. Her only help is from a lady who helps cook and also some help from Pastor Shaddrack and his wife.

Both the tea village and the orphanage screamed poverty. The children had next to nothing. Some had shoes, others did not. Some had decent clothes, others had ragged garments. For the most part, they seemed happy (especially with all of us strange white people there, they kept wanting to see under our shirt sleeves to see if we were really this color everywhere!). We saw poverty, we saw situations that are unthinkable - yet they exist. It changes you. It makes you thankful, grateful, and humble at your life experience compared to theirs. It shows you what the courage, faith, and willingness of one 24 year old can do - it can change lives. Am I changing lives? Am I making a difference? A Mission trip FORCES you to ask yourself these questions.

We even witnessed a miracle We had bought 10 bags of 20 snicker's bars each. (that's 200 snickers bars for you mathematically challenged). We gave out 161 at the tea village. A diabetic team member ate one. That left, to our counting, 38 snickers bars that should be in our bag. There were 54 children at the orphanage + two children visiting from the nearby village. We knew we had nowhere near 56 snickers bars. But someone suggested that we count. So we poured them all out on the floor of the van. And, you guessed it. There were not 55 candy bars. There were not 57 candy bars. There were exactly 56 candy bars. You could not help but think about Jesus and the feeding of the 5,000. All I can say is that God provided and taught us that HE is sufficient and provides for His children!

Snickers

By the third day of visiting the church and the orphanage, interest in the community had grown. The children were showing off their Burger King crowns (we talked of sexual purity and explained that they were all princes and princesses of THE KING). We told other Bible stories. The children would go home and tell the others in their household. More children came daily. The adult participation grew. On day three, the day I was supposed to teach on Prayer, about 40-50 adults had arrived. The pastor was excited, but said, "for the most part, these are not people of my church, they are un-churched, please do a lesson on salvation instead of prayer!". I almost panicked. I had not prepared a lesson on salvation, I had prepared a lesson on Prayer. I was also thinking, "There are 3 full time preachers on this trip - Let them do it!". But deep down, I knew. I knew that THIS was why I came. I knew that GOD was in control and my job was to obey! (I did grab one preacher to go with me though). So, I began sharing in a small 16 x 20 room, about Christ. About how he changed my life. About how he loves me. About how he loves each one in that room. I shared about God sending his Son to take the penalty for my choice of disobedience. Of God sending His Son so that I could have fellowship with a Just and Holy God. I shared the story of Salvation! In this church, they don't "walk the saw dust trail" as revivals of years gone by. But many, many did raise their hand to indicate they understood and that they desired and asked Jesus to be Lord of their life. It was an awesome moment in my life that I will never forget.

By the time I finished (probably 20 minutes), another 40 or 50 had arrived. There were over 90 people in that small room. I asked the preacher that came with me, Robert Doughtery, (preacher at Antioch Baptist) to give his version of the salvation story. He did and assuredly more came to know Christ. Well, I thought it was over and I was through - but God had other plans. The pastor then asked us to "Tell them how to grow in Christ... ". So Robert and I each gave a 20 minute lesson on growing in Christ. Then the pastor said, "Question and Answer Time". And all of this was through an interpretor - what an experience!

The interesting thing was that the questions that they ask are the same questions that we ask. "Do you HAVE to go to church?" "How does one KNOW they are saved?" "Is it a sin to get mad at my favorite football team?" "What about all the different denominations and different religions?". We answered these and more the best that we could. Probably not 100% correct, but I believe that God honored the effort. Hopefully lives were changed, I know mine was. We TALK of missions. We send MONEY to missions. But it is so life changing to be an actual PART of missions.

At the Nairobi airport, as we prepared to come home, I met a young lady 22 years old. (the same age as my daughter). She was going home to Colorado after spending 4 months in Africa - all by herself. I talked with her for an hour and a half. She was a changed person. Her trip was not a christian mission trip, she was volunteering to teach English. But the trip had changed her as well. I asked her if she knew my Jesus, and she did. So while I did not get to share Christ with her, it was an accomplishment for me that I tried!

I tell you all this not to boast in any way. If any good was done on that trip, it was all God's doing. Hopefully, I did not get in the way too much. But I tell you this story to encourage you. GO on a mission trip when you get the opportunity. Our own Paul Williams in this community has lead many mission trips through the Methodist Church. Dennis Phillips of the Pulaski-Bleckley Baptist Association leads yearly trips. Speak to your pastor, there ARE opportunities.

You go thinking you might change the world. But it's YOUR world that gets changed. It's your perspectives that are altered. It's your attitude that is modified. It is your pre-conceived notions that get shattered. People around the world all want the same things; to be loved; to be accepted; to survive and even thrive. People attempt to fill those wants with everything imaginable, yet, only God can truly fulfill.

Hopefully all 14 of us will never be the same. Possibly it took traveling half way around the world, attempting to change their lives, that will result in us being willing to change lives back home. When asked, GO. If not asked, then ask your Pastor, and then GO.

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Acts 1:7-9

Binoculars for the Backyard Birder

Many people become interested in birding simply by becoming aware of the birds that frequent their own back yards. Somewhere in our collective memories is a picture of the idyllic. Placing a feeder outside a back window seems right, and when birds find its fare then the fun begins and the idyllic becomes reality. So too arises the need to learn more about these creatures of feathers and song.

This sentiment was brought once again to my attention this past weekend as a group of our local Audubon manned a booth at our community expo. Several people asked for advice on procuring binoculars they or a family member could use to simply see the birds in their yards better and, perhaps, identify them.

My first bit of advice is to walk away from the cheap and small objective lens models. You are enjoying the birds coming to your yard. You want to add to the enjoyment. You are not looking to become frustrated. You must consider any binocular as an important tool whose purpose is to add to your enjoyment and experience. Examine your budget and commit to investing enough to ensure this goal.

Now to the numbers... There are two numbers that you will encounter such as 8x30. The first refers to magnification and the second to the size of the objective lens. Most birders use binoculars with a 7 or 8 power of magnification. Objective lens size of at least 30 mm seems well suited for most of us. In general, an 8x32 or 8x42 binocular will serve you well. It may well be to your advantage to consider the larger of these objective lenses owing to the greater light gathering ability of the larger lens.

Two other important considerations need mentioning. One is whether you wear eyeglasses or not. Be sure to inquire whether the binocular you've chosen can be used with or without glasses. Second, beginners, especially, need a large field of view (FOV). This will assist you in finding the bird. Try to find a binocular with at least 350 feet FOV.

Here are some recommended models that fit the above criteria. First, the 8x32 Vortex Crossfire and its cousin, the 8x42 Vortex Crossfire, are roof prism models. Then there is the 8.5x32 Vortex Raptor which is a porro prism model. All are very good but not too pricey. The raptor is even a very good choice for youth or adults with smaller faces.

Find what is best for you and go see if that is really a Ladder-backed Woodpecker on your oak and not a Red-bellied. Happy birding.

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Enjoy Water Activities in Jamaica

Jamaica is blessed with a spectacular coastline - with 150 miles (240km) of beaches and many navigable rivers, the island is more than just a beach destination in the Caribbean. There are a range of water activities in Jamaica you can enjoy from swimming with the sharks to river tubing and everything else in between.

If you are traveling with kids, the best place for enjoying water sports in Jamaica will definitely be the Dolphins Cove. This popular marine park is located in Ocho Rios, one of the most popular tourist resorts on the island and also home to Jamaica's signature attraction - Dunns River Falls. In fact, you can combine the Dolphin Cove tour with a visit to the waterfalls also. While the waterfall is scintillating enough, the main attraction is the fact that you can actually climb up to the top of the falls. The water here cascades over a series of rocks which form a natural staircase to the top. The rocks are slippery but not dangerous. Visit the falls, and you will see visitors holding hands, forming a human chain and balancing their way to the top.

You can then head to the nearby Dolphin Cove where the entrance tickets includes a host of activities including captaining your own glass-bottomed boat and kayaking to exploring the spectacular shoreline, snorkelling and interacting with stingrays, exploring jungle trails and watching a shark show. However the main highlight in the Dolphin Cove is the swim with a pair of dolphins. An instructor will give you some basic tips after which you can dive right into the water for half-an-hour of fun and frolic with these lovable mammals. If all the activity leaves you a bit tired you can relax on the sandy beach amidst beautiful tropical surroundings, enjoy a picnic and savour the world-famous Blue Mountain Jamaican coffee.

Another interesting tour is what is called the 'hold and feed the sharks' tour. The name itself is a give away to what to expect and so this is definitely for those with strong nerves. In the company of trained instructors, you can hold and feed these dangerous yet fascinating animals. And if you have it in you, you can actually swim with them. And if this is not exactly your cup of tea, you can watch the activities from ashore.

River tubing is another fascinating way to discover the real Jamaica in all its tropical glory. You can opt for a river tubing adventure on the Great River. This is a guided tour where an instructor will first provide you with the basic safety tips after which you will ride down the river. En route, the guide will point out the interesting sights and you may also be able to glimpse some rare flora and fauna.

Jamaica is fast emerging as one of the world's leading surfing destinations. Every year it hosts the international Makka Pro surfing contest, considered to be the biggest such contest in the contest in the English speaking Caribbean. The activity attracts the best talent from across the globe.

Aside from the above, there are other water activities in Jamaica both for the novice and the professionals. You can opt for sailing, parasailing, river rafting, and scuba diving, amongst others.

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Weekend Getaways Around Chennai: 3 Great Choices

The capital city of state of Tamil Nadu, Chennai is one of the major hubs of cultural, educational and commercial enterprises. The industrially-thriving city, Chennai is base of major computer, technology, automobile, healthcare and hardware manufacturing industries. The busy tech-savvy populace of Chennai seldom gets opportunity to vacation and thus every weekend brings a reason to celebrate and rejuvenate. Choices for weekend getaways around Chennai are many which serve as the right thing to do after a tiring week at work. The town provides an ideal break from regular activities of city life and helps evade monotony.

Some such interesting destinations worth being added to your weekend getaway packages around Chennai are:

Pondicherry: The splendid beaches of Pondicherry are where people visit to breathe fresh air and relish evening walks and morning strolls. With several relics of French colonial rule, the town is a perfect reminiscent of Indo-French connection. Its pleasant climate, natural beauty, picturesque beaches are not the only attractions; rather Pondicherry is also enriched with intriguing architecture and cultural treasures. Some must-visit places in the region are Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Auroville, Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Bharthidasan Memorial Museum and Bharti. However, travelers mostly pick Pondicherry for weekend getaways around Chennai to revel on the neat and cleam beaches of the town and to admire awe-inspiring architecture of French colonizers age.

Bangalore: It is the city of glitz and glam, but it is best known as the Silicon Valley of India for being hub of information technology in the country. Other sobriquets entitled to the city are 'Pub City', 'City of Youth' and the 'Garden City'. It is a melting pot of diverse cultures and hub of IT industry of the nation and thus homes a number of public sector undertakings, heavy industries, aerospace, telecommunications, software companies, defense organizations and more. It is merely 5 hours drive away from Chennai and thus makes an excellent weekend destination for people of Chennai. The attractions worth visiting are the splendid gardens, cinemas, boulevards, markets and historical monuments. Some of the must- visit places in the town are Lal Bagh, Bangalore Palace, Vidhan Soudha, Cubbon Park, Tipu Sultan's Palace, Bangalore Palace and more.

Kanchipuram: If one wants to focus only on shopping for traditional Indian saris then a visit to Kanchipuram stands as the best possible option nearby Chennai. It is also popularly known as 'City of 1000 Temples' out of which several are dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. Its exquisite silk saris are renowned world-over providing more than one reason to travelers to visit Kanchipuram.

The purpose is to escape city life for a short-span of time to revitalize body, mind and soul and the above mentioned destinations beautifully fit into these criteria. Easily accessible these destinations are great choices for weekend getaways around Chennai and are thus opted by hundreds of travelers each year.

Summer In Rural Andalucia

The rise in popularity of rural tourism comes as no surprise to those of us lucky enough to live in unspoilt inland Andalucia. The mountains, rocky gorges and peaceful lakes guarantee year round stunning scenery and a host of things to do for activity and nature lovers. Despite this increase in popularity, it is easy to find private cottages and villas tucked away in complete privacy, where you can spend your holidays or a lifetime enjoying the amazing scenery, sunshine and sunsets. Tranquil campsites in pine forests by the lakes are an excellent option to get away from it all and spend a few days swimming in clear turquoise waters away from the crowds.

I live in a small piece of paradise called El Chorro, which is around an hours drive inland from Malaga. By the beginning of June, barbeque season has kicked in and friends with pools are suddenly finding themselves very popular. There is nothing better than floating in an outdoor pool, high on a mountainside with views going on for miles - the feeling of absolute tranquility is hard to find anywhere else. The nearest neighbours are often far away on another mountaintop, so privacy is guaranteed and there is no-one around for you to disturb. The hot day time temperatures fall to comfortable warmth in the evening; food, drink and company can be enjoyed late into the night and a midnight swim is practically a must.

The beginning of summer is always my favourite when I drive around near home or towards Malaga; jacaranda trees are glorious with their vibrant purple on full display, and near streams and waterways, the bright pink oleander bushes stand out brightly against the drying hillsides. The lakes warm up to perfect bathing temperatures by June and have plenty of shade, and coves for sunbathing and swimming. Even in high season, they never seem too busy or crowded; the 3 huge lakes which join together are easily big enough to cope with visitors.

Anyone looking for a permanent or holiday home in rural Andalucia can pretty much stick a pin on the map and find a beautiful spot. During summer, cooling off in water is a must, the ideal combination is somewhere with a pool, within an easy drive of one of the many lakes. In total, Andalucia has over 300 natural lakes and 11 reservoirs. Near Malaga, Lake Vinuela and the Ardales reservoirs are ideal. Seville has the Hueznar river, with beach and waterfalls, and the Serrano lakes. Huelva, Cadiz and Jaen also have lakes popular for swimming.

To reach these inland areas, car rental is recommended, as local transport is irregular and does not reach all areas. Cheap car hire in Spain can be booked in advance from any Spanish airport.

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Enjoy a Scuba Holiday As a Volunteer in the Maldives

If you are among many of the Britons looking for an exotic summary holiday this year you might consider the area around the Indian Ocean. Working as a volunteer in the Maldives allows you to swim with the fishes and examine the coral reeves in all their glory.

Your tasks as a volunteer will include measuring under water corals and vegetation. Taking pictures of the fish and its habitat is also important. The information gathered can be used to ensure informed management, education and conservation decisions can be made by governments. It also allows the local population to learn about the wildlife they live next to and ensure they take every precaution to keep it save from extinction. Alongside the expedition's biologists, local people might be the best source of knowledge about how life in the ocean has changed over the years and what they are doing that affects it.

Whale shark conservation is also one of the main aims of many volunteer holidays in the Maldives. This data gathering is more opportunistic than planned as they cannot be tracked in the same way land animals can. Whale sharks are extremely large animals and can be recognised by the many yellow dots covering their surface. A fully grown whale shark is 1.5 meters wide and its mouth runs across most of this length. Inside its mouth you will find more than 4,000 teeth, however they are fairly harmless and only measures 0,3 cm high. The whale shark is often seen as a protector of other fish as not many hunting fish will dare to come close to it. The most important thing for an expedition coming close to a whale shark is to try to get pictures of its gill area. This has the same qualities as a human fingerprint.

Many expeditions have a boat as the base and most of the time you are there will be spent on the boat. This allows you to focus on the work and be as close to the water as possible. It also allows you close proximity to the species you are studying and easy transport between study sites. There is often a chef on board the expedition vessels that cooks all meals and allows you to taste the flavours of the local food. IF you are lucky they might teach you a thing or two.

If you have your scuba diving licence you should definitely consider spending your holiday working as a volunteer conserving the magnificent ocean life around the exotic Maldives islands.

Weekend Getaways Around Delhi: Exploring the Un-Explored

Summers are at its peak in Delhi and with schools and colleges shutting down for summer holidays Delhiites are all geared up to make their way to a greener and more tranquil region of Earth. Summers bring sultry weather conditions, power-cuts, fatigue and more. On the positive side it also brings a reason to head for vacationing, to bond with family or friends, explore a new vista and revel in solitude. The work-savvy populace may not get much, but they still manage to pick weekend's time to enjoy a quick break; there are a wide number of weekend getaways around Delhi too. These destinations are simply a short drive away and can be covered within short span of time; therefore these are popular choices for weekend getaway packages for Delhi.

Now, you may have already explored Jaipur whilst attending a cousin's wedding or Agra during a school trip, but there is still lot more to be discovered on weekend getaways around Delhi. Some such unexplored regions worth visiting around Delhi are:

Kasol: At the onset Kasol appears as any other hill station in Himachal Pradesh; however under this obvious tranquil picture lays elements of a hippie civilization. A short drive from Delhi will take you to the hidden world of Kasol which has stayed untouched by infuriating travel tout business. Thus raw and mysterious Kasol has recently transformed into a major hub of backpackers. Its low populace, salubrious climate round the year, untouched natural splendor attracts youth from world over. The place is known for its un-common phenomenon of being a trekking destination as well as a great place for Trance Parties, shopping for western outfits and food and more.

* The distance from Delhi can be covered via an overnight Volvo which drops you at Bhunter bus stop from where you can hire a private cab or pool in a Mahindra jeep or even a local bus to reach Kasol in 45 minutes- 1 hour.

Khajjiar: To put-off your work worries and revel in blissful natural bounty you should plan a trip to Khajjiar. The quaint scenery at the town is beauteous reminiscent of Switzerland's iconic beauty; thus known as Mini Switzerland of India, Khajjiar is a sylvan glade known for its diverse ecosystems which includes pasturelands, gorgeous lake and forests. The soulful ambiance of Khajjiar appears particularly inviting to those who wish to do nothing on a vacation than to simply gaze at nature's riches and revel in the surrounding beauty of cedar forests, snow-clad mountains and herds of sheep and horses.

*The shortest route to reach Khajjiar is from Pathankot via Dalhousie. This 80 km stretch is easily covered in approximately three hours via taxi or local buses. Those who wish to convert their weekend getaways around Delhi into an adventurous tour one must head for an easy trekking tour from Dalhousie to Khajjiar. The trek weaves through pine thicket along upper Bakrot Road and also covers Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary on the way.

The above mentioned are just a few choices for weekend getaways around Delhi; however there are a whole lot of interesting destinations around the national capital. All one needs is an explorer's patience and zeal to discover and one can produce a memory of a lifetime.

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Pool Umbrellas - A Necessity

Having a pool in your backyard is the best way to escape the scorching summers. But when you aren't in the waters you would prefer lounging about around it. Having a pool umbrella helps you live your dream of staying in the shade while near the water. Indeed, today you hardly find any water front without an umbrella placed near it. With the changing times and the change in needs of the customers, the manufacturers of pool umbrellas have invented new and more efficient designs in this item.

People use these umbrellas in their personal properties or at their professional establishments. When it comes to choosing the right type of umbrella for your patio, deck or poolside, you must first decide on how to utilise the space and what look you intend to give to this area. Not only do they help the people enjoy themselves away from the harsh sunlight in the open, but it also adds to the overall appearance and ambience of the place. Be it the patio, pool side area or a resort, there are a wide variety of pool umbrellas available in the market suiting each need. Today one can also order them over the internet.

When you search the net, you would be surprised to see the amazing range and choice available. Depending on your requirements, various websites cater to creating customised umbrellas too. You would find basically five types of umbrellas - the "market", "beach", "lifeguard", "patio" and the "commercial" models. Under each category you can choose from a whole range of colours, shapes and sizes.

You can also create customised products where there is a logo of your establishment printed on these umbrellas. The pricing would obviously vary with the varying needs of the customer. But the end product would definitely be worth every penny spent because having a unique product enhances its credibility to your establishment or institution. Having logos printed is also a great way to advertise and promote your cause or business.

Another criterion that can determine the efficiency of your umbrella is the material used. Scouting around a bit would help in determining the type of material required. The climate of the place would also be a major reason to pick a particular type of umbrella over any other.

For example in places that are windy or prone to high winds periodically the material preferred would be fibre glass or stainless steel. Aluminium is a popular choice due to it being light weight and easily versatile. Also, these frames are very durable and demand less maintenance.

Today you would also find pool umbrellas constructed from ultra violet resistant material that protects you from the harmful effects of absorbing these radiations from sunlight. But the best thing is that even if you are not aware of these technicalities, it does not really matter. Because, the companies today provide assistance and help choose the right product after considering all possible aspects and taking into account your lifestyle.

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Book Cheap Tickets to Manila Today

Manila, the capital city of Philippines is the ideal location to plan a rejuvenating vacation. But the question is how to make the holiday an affordable one without losing the quintessence of the trip. Booking cheap flight tickets to Manila is the perfect way to make your outing a memorable and economical experience.

Cheap tickets to Manila are offered by many travel agencies these days both online and offline. You can get the best possible airline deals to Manila, which makes you and your pocket blissful. The vibrant city of Manila has many things to offer to its visitors, which will keep them occupied the entire day. Here are some of the best things one can do on their vacation to Manila:

Sightseeing

The capital city of Philippines is sanctified with many popular historical sites. If you want to know the mysterious history of the city, take a tour to Intramuros, meaning 'within the walls' because of which it was nicknamed as the "Walled City". This place has a famous fort constructed in late 1500's by the Spaniards when they ruled the country of Philippines. The fort was destroyed during the catastrophic Japanese- American war in 1945. This fort after renovation has been converted into a grand museum.

Luneta Park is another important historical spot liked by visitors from across the globe. Luneta Park is the memorial built in the memory of the Philippine national idol, Dr. Jose Rizal. The park is visited by the locals during the holidays especially on Sundays to spend some refreshing time with their families.

Relaxing

There are countless places in Manila where one can expect utmost tranquility. You can sooth your nerves by indulging in some relaxing activities like body massage, scalp and shoulder massage, face and foot massage and meditation. The Spa Wellness, The Ritz Spa Malate, and Relaksasi are some of the places where you can relax and enjoy your leisure time. Spa at Club Oasis at Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila is a place where serenity and fun merges together to make your entire vacation a delightful experience. Book flights to Manila and flee from the hectic work schedule to take relaxing massage and therapies, to sooth your mind and body.

Shopping

Women always find pleasure in strolling around the streets and shopping their favorite items. Manila is the paradise for core shoppers. For great shopping experience, you can visit the following places:

Baclaran: It is the most popular place in Metro Manila, due to its glittering flea markets. Since early 1980's, Baclaran has been considered as the famous shopping destination among people seeking for cheap buying options. While strolling by the sidewalks you will find many shops selling unique items at very economical rates. There are several high-rise malls in Baclaran, but for true shopping experience and best deals, buy from the street shops.

Eastwood City: This is the extraordinary place to shop during your vacation, because of its timings. This place is open till midnight where you can try multiple activities such as dining, fun-activities, while shopping for your favorite items. This unique place is divided into 3 major attractions - Eastwood City Walk, Fashion mall and Eastwood Cyber.

With several cheap flights to Manila available, get the best offer by taking advantage of early booking. To explore these attractions of the city, look for cheap flight tickets to Manila.

Belizes' "Blood Tree:" The Logwood

The Logwood Tree is tall, though it does not exceed 40 feet in height, is native to and can be found in southern Mexico and southward, throughout much of Central America.

The dark, deep and rich maroon red sap of the Logwood literally oozes in great abundance from the tree if the tree is ever wounded. Thus the reason the Logwoods have been given the English nickname 'Blood Trees.' This oozing of its' blood-colored sap will heal a tree wound just as blood does for a human being. In turn, the nick name, Blood Tree explains the Logwoods' scientific name 'Haematoxylum' which is a Greek word meaning 'Blood Wood.'

The Logwood is one of the two trees that are recognized as having helped build Belize's colonial economic backbone. The dark deep rich maroon dye from the Logwood was highly sought after in Europe as a dye for the textile industry in Europe. This Logwood dye demand made Belize an important colony to the British.

The dye from the Logwood is not only used in the textile industry today but it can also be used in other things such as a natural hair dying ingredient.

The Logwood is even thought to have medicinal properties as well. Tea made from the Logwood Tree contains triple anti-oxidants and is currently being tested in the United States as a possible cure for certain types of cancer.

The dye-rich resinous wood of the Logwood also makes it a great hardwood for building. Logwood has proven to resist almost all, if not all, types of microbial rot as well as attacks upon it by insects and even chewing rodents.

However, the Logwood is not just known for its' crucial and historical role it played in the development of the now modern-day country of Belize; it has unique and interesting characteristic as well. One characteristic of the Logwood is that it is actually a flowering tree. Logwoods will produce some very stunningly beautiful flowers.

Flowers from the Logwood are abundant and sweet. Bees will, in large part, pollinate the flowers closest to their hives thus the bees that happen to live around a Logwood Tree are known to produce an outstandingly delicious honey.

The leaves of a Logwood are also interesting and unique. A Logwood leaf looks almost like a delicate piece of lace, each growing in the shape of a little heart. Every two rows of a Logwood leaf has a pointy end that is attached to a flexible middle rib. It is an awesome experience to be standing on the ground, under a Logwood Tree and look up into the entire Logwood Tree canopy and all one can see above are massive little delicate heart-shaped flowers.

If you ever visit Belize be sure and seek out a Logwood Tree, stand under it and look up. Be sure and have your camera handy and be prepared to capture a memory of a lifetime.

Hickatee: The Critically Endangered Turtle

Dermatemys mawii, the Hickatee, a Central American River turtle is such an aquatic turtle that it spends its entire life in or on the water, even sleeping and yet they stay afloat. This fairly large turtle species attains a maximum of 25 inches in carapace length and can weigh up to 44 pounds, 50 pounds if including the weight of the carapace or the turtle shell. Males can be differentiated from females by yellow markings on either side of their head. They also have a longer and thicker tail.

The female is somewhat smaller, with a shorter tail and a gray head unadorned by the golden emblem and matching spotty insignia of the male. The carapace, brown or olive drab, is only slightly curved; the ventral shell is cream-colored.

The female Hickatee only leaves water when it has to eggs to lay, where, as many as sixteen eggs are deposited beneath the camouflage of rotting vegetation. This 'mother' never looks back, never checks on the eggs she has just laid. The eggs she has just laid incubates themselves.

The Belize coastal lowlands are the normal home environment of the Hickatee along with the waterways of southern Mexico and northern Guatemala. Deep and clear water is better, and Belize's many lagoons are considered by the Hickatee to be prime residential areas.

When newly hatched a Hickatee will begin life as meat-eaters, however, as they become adults they switch to a vegetarian diet. Ancient Mayans prized turtle meat for food as well as for religious ceremonies. Turtle meat is still a highly prized delicatessen today. Eggs of Sea Turtles are harvested in Belize for food.

The Hickatee is a herbivore and its meat is eagerly sought after by carnivorous man. The Hickatee Turtle meat is a traditional Easter meal in Belize which has helped to put this turtle on the critically endangered list. Further, the Hickatee is an easy catch as they lazily drift on the water's surface unaware they are going to be knocked unconscious by a well-aimed oar or simply picked up from a river bed in the dry season.

Despite their endangered status the Hickatee only has very limited protection in Belize with a one month closed season along with no trading of Hickatee meat, a maximum of 3 are allowed to be caught per person and only five per vehicle.

The Hickatee Turtle is one of the world's most heavily exploited turtles, having been intensely harvested, primarily for its meat, but also for its eggs, carapace and even hatchlings are sold has food. This turtle has been nearly eliminated from much of its former range in southern Mexico.

The Versatile Calabash Tree

The Calabash Trees that are found in Belize are small tropical evergreens that can attain a height of over 22 feet. However, the Calabash Tree is referred to as a "tree" in its' local name only, not scientifically, for they are technically shrubs.

The scientific name for the Calabash Tree is Crescentia Cujete. The Calabash belongs to the family of Bignoniaceae and is known to grow in abundance in Belize. However, also found in Belize is a cousin to the Calabash Tree, scientifically called Crescentia Alata, that is locally known as the Mexican Calabash.

The Calabash Trees' exact origin is not known, however today, the Calabash has been introduced throughout the tropics and can be found growing in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and the northern parts of South America. The Calabash has become native to much of Southern Mexico and Central America and has also been naturalized in India.

The Calabash Tree has characteristics that are uniquely its own that features a broad but irregular crown made up of long, spreading and arching branches which are capable of providing dappled shade on sunny days. Calabash leaves are simple and elliptical in shape, clustered at the nodes. As a result of this unique growth habit, this tree often becomes a surrogate for orchid-growers to perch their plants on its branches. Crescentia cujete is grown in lawns, parks and are often used for hedges.

The Calabash produce nocturnal flowers that are a greenish-yellow color marked with purple veins on the trunk or main branches. Every evening around 6 p.m. these nocturnal blooms open and will emit a fairly strong odor that is attractive to the nocturnal mammal, the Fruit Bat. Fruit Bats help to pollinate the Calabash Trees' flowers which, by noon time the next day, will be closed and all withered away, ready start their nocturnal blooming cycle the following evening.

Wood from this tree has a wide range of uses which include manufacture of cattle yoke, tool handles, wooden wheels, ribs in boat building and thin strips are used to make baskets and hampers

The Calabash Trees' fruit has been cultivated for thousands of years. The pulp of the Calabash fruit has been known and used for medicinal purposes for hundreds maybe even thousands of years. The medicinal properties of the Calabash fruit have been used to treat headaches, burns, certain respiratory issues, stomach aches, coughs, colds, laxatives and also has been used to help reduce high rates of blood pressure.

Beside the use of the Calabash fruit for medicinal purposes other parts of the tree are also used medicinally. A concoction of the bark of the Calabash Tree is used to clean wounds and the pounded leaves are applied as a poultice for headache while finely crushed leaves are applied on wounds to stop bleeding and promote healing.

The oval gourd-like fruit of the Calabash Tree has a hard and woody rind, similar to a gourd. The Calabash fruit can grow up to 25 cm in diameter, not too much unlike the Calabash Vine of the Middle and Far East. Each fruit takes up to seven months to ripen. Ripened Calabash fruits are brown in color and the seeds inside are surrounded by a light-colored pulp.

The shells of the dried Calabash fruits are used to make a wide range of household utensils or creatively filled with sand to make musical instruments. The larger fruits are used as bowls or made into helmets that are worn by bird hunters.

Past civilizations have used the dried and hardened green shells of the Calabash fruit to make bowls and eating utensils, such as spoons, for about as long as that same fruit has been cultivated as a viable source of food.

One can find gift shops in Belize displaying and selling a wide variety of artifacts made from the calabash fruit. Products made from the Calabash Tree make great souvenirs and usually are not very expensive.

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Creative Tourism Experiences in Thailand

Enrich your life through experiential activities, arts, and crafts. Make your vacation a life-enriching experience.

There is a part of you that you have yet to discover.

Most of the time, you travel to discover new places. What if you could discover another side of you during your journey? Through creative tourism experiences, visitors to Thailand can expect life-enriching lessons that reveal undiscovered parts of themselves. From craft making to Thai boxing, agriculture, like rice farming, to traditional massage and preparing our renowned cuisine, local experts are eager to share their knowledge.

Learning opportunities in Thailand abound, in a wide range of school settings, be that a kitchen, boxing ring or mat on a floor.

Thai cuisine is world renowned. Thai massage is appreciated around the globe, and Thailand's national sport, Muay Thai, leaves spectators in awe and practitioners more confident. All are available for study, and you can increase your immersion in Thailand through a homestay that lets you gain a new appreciation for Thai culture.

THAI COOKING

Thai cooking is within the grasp of anyone with chefs welcoming visitors into their kitchens to learn the secrets that make Thai cuisine so delicious and healthy. As you well know, it tops the lists of the world's favorite foods, and visitors can learn how to prepare an array of dishes and take this skill home.

There are courses for all tastes, from one-day classes to weeklong courses. Most have only a handful of students, and with each receiving personal instruction from the chefs, you'll appreciate you're new and practical skills as will your family and friends.

THAI MASSAGE

Thai massage is another valued skill family and friends will appreciate. Learn about energy meridians and techniques to open up sen lines, the invisible energy channels that flow through the body. Studying Thai massage is a holistic journey that undeniably leads to greater wellness and longevity. After receiving a Thai massage, people have increased energy as well as decreased stress and muscle tension. And the person giving the massage also gains from the experience, including the pride that can only be felt by a healer. Those feelings of compassion and giving kindness are invaluable.

MUAY THAI

Another study possibility is Muay Thai, often called Thai Boxing or Kick Boxing by foreigners. It is Thailand's national sport and very prestigious. Dating back centuries, today, an increasing number of people have learned to appreciate it for staying in shape and building self-confidence.

Fast paced and exciting bouts are fought in stadiums throughout the country. Fighters strike their opponent with their hands, feet, knees and elbows at lightening speed.

It's a demanding sport that takes a lot of training, both mental and physical, to reach fighting condition. But the benefits of that training start right away and more and more men and women, Thai and foreign alike, are starting to study Muay Thai for the conditioning.

RICE FARMING

Thailand feeds the world as the top rice exporting country, and you can learn what it takes to harvest the crop as well as gain a deep appreciation for tilling the soil and caring for the land that sustains us.

As the country' staple food, rice is at the heart of Thai culture. Farmers have passed on their rice growing skills for generations, since they first began planting rice more than 5,500 years ago. Thai life revolves around the rice seasons. Planting in May through July when the rains start signaling the end of the dry season, the rice is ready for harvest in October or November.

The Land of Smiles offers numerous places to learn about rice farming and even work with farmers. Such a learning experience can bring knowledge along with fun when you are on holiday in Thailand.

This news article is brought to you by TRAVEL-AND-LEISURE - where latest news are our top priority.