San Francisco Bay Charter's Handbook Suggested 2 Day Trip

San Francisco Bay Charter's Handbook- Suggested 2 Day Trip
By Bob Diamond

Suggested 2 day trip

South Beach Harbor at Pier 40 in San Francisco is a great destination for a first overnight cruise. It's a reasonable distance from Redwood City. At about 20 miles, it's only 4 hours away even at the stately speed of 5 knots. The harbor is easy to find, easy to get in and out, and easy to maneuver in. There are facilities such as heads and showers and lots of restaurants and other shops ashore.

We suggest you plan your trip on a weekend when there is morning maximum ebb approximately between 9:00 and 10:30. This will give you a favorable current heading up to San Francisco in the morning and favorable current coming back in the afternoon the next day. If you leave Redwood City as late as the time of maximum current, you'll be arriving about the time the current goes slack. This would give you plenty of time to get to South Beach and may even give you enough time to sail past Pier 40 and the Bay Bridge to check out the North Bay, Alcatraz Island, etc. before settling in at South Beach Harbor.

Make your reservations with harbor office at (415) 495-4911. The overnight fee is $1.00 per foot. There is also a $50 key deposit, which can be done with an authorized credit card. The harbor master monitors VHF channel 16 if you need to call via marine radio.

Pac Bell Park is within walking distance and there are several restaurants in the area. Take advantage of the extra time the next day to explore the North Bay a little before heading back to Redwood City. Just allow about 4 hours of sailing time from the Bay Bridge for the trip south. It's likely you'll have the wind in your favor the whole way and if it's a normal spring or summer day there will be lots of it. What a way to finish a weekend sail!

For more information please visit our website at http://www.spinnakersailing.comFor this article in its entirety including links and photos go to: http://www.spinnakersailing.com/noframes/charters/sbcharterhandbook.htm

Bob Diamond has been head sailing instructor at Spinnaker Sailing since 1984.

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3 Reasons Why You Should Keep a Travel Blog

3 Reasons Why You Should Keep a Travel Blog
By Amanda Hallen

In case you havent noticed, blogs (short for web logs, really just an online journal) are everywhere on the net. There are sport blogs, car fan blogs, cooking blogsall geared towards taking whats inside of your mind and getting it out in a manner that can be beneficial to others.

Travel is no different.

Whether youre passionate about traveling, a weekend adventurer, or head out once a year with the family to experience what the world has to offer, a travel blog is a fabulous medium to share your encounters with others. In addition to any family member with a computer and Internet connection having the ability to access your blog, friends and friends of friends can read what youve written about destinations around the globe!

While there are dozens of reasons for keeping a general blog, weve come up three very good reasons to keep a specific travel blog. They are:

#1. Any bad experiences at hotels, restaurants, or stops along the way can be vented and heard as you write about your encounters, while the positive events can be pleasantly shared amongst avid blog readers around the planet on the World Wide Web. By choosing a travel specific site, potential readers are on that site with that one topic on their mind- and want to know what you have to say about their potential future destinations.

#2. Pictures, pictures and more pictures. Family and friends can keep a tab on you and your travels by reading all about your adventures and viewing he accompanying pictures that youve uploaded to your travel blog site of choice. Beside the fun of it, youll be saving yourself a few afternoons of re-showing your pictures to everyone who wants to see them. Simply send them the link to your travel blog, ask them to bookmark it on their favorites and visit it often to see where your travels have taken you now.

#3. Travel blogs bring your journal into the digital era, and preserves it for an eternity. Floods and other catastrophes cant damage your memory or your blog, but they can certainly wreak havoc onto pictures, private paper journals and yes- can even damage computers and back-up discs, where the majority of invaluable digital photos are stored.

So what are you waiting for? Get blogging!

Amanda Hallen recommends you visit Gusto for travel blogs, reviews, photos and more.

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Tips For Choosing The Best Cruise Vacations

Tips For Choosing The Best Cruise Vacations
By Paolo Basauri

How would you like your next cruise vacations to be? The single most important part when looking for the best cruise vacations is planning. And planning begins with choosing not only the right destinations but also the right cruise line.

It all depends on what your preferences are (weather, duration, comfort, etc) That picture may look nice on the brochure, but can you really stand the Caribbean Sun? You may also check in what type of cruise youre preparing to embark. There are many types of cruises available: family cruises, Christian cruises, all inclusive cruises, Christmas cruises, golf cruises, single cruises, luxury cruises and more, each one with their own particularities and activities within the cruise

As you see choosing the best cruise vacations is not that easy because then you have to pick the cruise line, and there is some heavy competition, among the cruise lines are Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Holland America plus a lot more. But dont despair, a good travel agent will definitely help you tailor the best cruise vacations you can have.

Here are some tips you should take in consideration when planning for the best cruise vacations:

Keep in mind your lifestyle. Does the cruise activities and fellow travellers feel right for you? Thinking about this will help avoid feeling uncomfortable during your trip. Some cruises even require you to have certain type of clothing if you want to attend their restaurants or events.

Plan ahead how the weather is going to be. Nothing is more frustrating that vacations going bad because of the weather, if you cant stand too much sun you should think twice going on a Caribbean Cruise.

Consider the itinerary. The pace of the itinerary is also important, some cruises spend more time at sea than others.

Be on the lookout for unnecessary charges.

Get all the help you need from your travel agent. Ask all the questions you have. Trust me, it is better to find out about some things before taking the cruise.

Final tip, just have fun! This should be the top priority on a vacation. If you feel you will spend more time in your vacations worried, take another cruise.

Paolo Basauri, is an expert author who writes for Best Cruise VacationsA site specialized in cruise travel all over the world.

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Yellowstone Tours

Yellowstone Tours
By Thomas Morva

The tourist season at Yellowstone National Park is divided into Winter and Summer. Since the weather can be extreme in both the seasons activities and tours are season-specific. Therefore a visit to the park and subsequent tours should be planned according to what your favorite kind of activity is like.

Among the tours offered at Yellowstone are traditional ones like coach tours for wildlife viewing and more unusual ones like horseback tours as well tours on llamas. The latter activity has also coined a new term called llamaneering. Since these animals have long been used as pack animals, they are sturdy and tough yet very manageable. These tours also include layover days which allow the hikers to enjoy fishing and climbing peaks. The horseback tours and the llama tours are spread over a number of days and each day ends with setting up camp at regular sites. Those who enjoy mountain biking can also undertake the mountain bike tour of the park which is organized during the summer season.

Another popular way to experience and see Yellowstone is through its myriad waterways. There are special Kayak tours as well as rented and guided boat tours available for those who wish to see the land from the water.

For those with a passion for photography, you can take a photography tour of a place that is so spectacular in its scenery that it is almost impossible to take a bad picture. Regular photography tours of Yellowstone are undertaken where an expert photographer acts as a guide and helps in mastering the technique of wildlife and nature photography.

During winter, snowshoeing and snowcoach tours are organized. These tours allow the visitor to see the face of Yellowstone in the winter and experience true harmony with nature. Since most of Yellowstone is backcountry, it lends itself to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. In winter months the paved roads of the park are not cleared of snow, therefore snowcoaches are the only motorized access possible into the park.

These tours truly allow a visitor to Yellowstone to experience nature at its greatest.

For more information on Yellowstone tours:

http://www.yellowstoneparknet.com/guidestours/guidestours.php
http://www.nps.gov/yell/pphtml/activities.html

Yellowstone National Park provides detailed information on Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone Vacations, Yellowstone Hotels, Yellowstone Tours and more. Yellowstone National Park is affiliated with Glacier National Parks.

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York Region Ontario Canada

York Region, Ontario, Canada
By Dave Lympany

York Region has a population of over 870,000 people and covers an area of over 1,750 square kilometres. Sitting between Peel Region in the West and Durham region in the east, York Region consists of the Cities of Markham and Vaughan, with the townships of Aurora, East Gwillimbury, King, Newmarket, Richmond Hill and Whitchurch-Stouffville.

The two main population centers are the Cities of Markham and Vaughan. Both Cities have average populations with Markham being the largest in the Region with over 220,000. Markham is renowned for being the Hi Tech capital of Canada with several high profile corporate head offices making the city their home. The city is modern with excellent healthcare and schooling. Vaughan has one particular claim to fame in being directly north of Toronto, making them above the main city. This too is a rapidly expanding city with great facilities and plenty of new communities springing up.

The York Region is host to over 25,000 businesses which provide 400,000 jobs - a number that is growing by approximately 20,000 per year at current rates. With close proximity to the Pearson International airport and a young, well educated workforce, York Region is one of the fastest growing regions of the GTA and is very popular with Immigrants. The York Region Transit system connects most communities within the Region to each other and the Toronto GO Transit system to give a very effective public transport network.

The Region administers the Healthcare and Education following the Provincial guidelines. The York Region District School Board and the York Region Catholic District School Board are responsible for the day to day operations of the Region's schools - all of which can be contacted via these sites.

The Town Of Aurora - With a population of over 43,000, the Town of Aurora is another rapidly expanding town. The population is young and has a high average income (compared to most Canadian towns) of around $110,000 per household. The housing is fairly expensive though with an average price of a single family detached home being over $370,000 two years ago!

There is a large variety of employers in the town and it is also commutable to the Toronto downtown core. This gives a low unemployment level of 4% in 2001 with the majority of employment in management/business, finance and sciences/technology. Manufacturing and retail are the other big areas of employment.

The schools and healthcare are administered by the York Region so for more details check out the links above. The town itself is a historical place with plenty of old buildings with lots of character. With close proximity to both the big city of Toronto and the rural areas, Aurora provides excellent recreational opportunities to its residents. This ranges from parks, playgrounds and pedestrian trails to championship golf courses, fine dining and theatre. A full recreational program is offered in the Town which will soon be augmented by a new state of the art Recreation Centre.

The Town Of East Gwillimbury is a semi rural area located only half an hours drive from Toronto. Another historic area with settlement dating back to the 1700's, the population is now over 20,000 and growing.

Again, East Gwillimbury has an excellent array of recreational facilities including arena's, trails, play parks and over 135 acres of parkland. There are ice rinks, outdoor sports pitches, the usual golf courses and for the less active a 16 screen movie theatre.

There are a wide variety of employers in the town providing ample employment and the new GO Transit station gives good access to the city. The population also enjoys an above average household income. For the latest business directory to see which companies are in the area, see the town website.

The Town Of Georgina is the most northerly area of the York Region and is made up of several smaller communities. Situated on the South eastern shores of Lake Simcoe, the communities of Georgina have plenty of beaches and open space - especially with the area being known as Getaway Country.

The lake offers up year round recreation including swimming, boating, canoeing, fishing and ice fishing to name a few. On top of this the great outdoors is all around and the communities have good facilities. Some of the more prominent communities are Keswick, Sutton, Udora, Jacksons Point and Port Bolster.

Most employment seems to be in the local services and tourism sector though full research can be carried out through the chamber of commerce website.

The Township Of King is home to around 20,000 people and is a fairly rural area. Famous for the Holland Marsh - a fertile area that produces most of the Provinces fresh vegetables - most industry is based upon the support of agriculture. There are a lot of Horse breeders in the area along with livestock and dairy farms. There is some light industry and the Seneca College campus is located on the former Easton estate.

As with most Canadian towns, King has good sporting and leisure facilities including golf courses, trails, parks and 3 arena's. Most facilities are pay as you use - more details can be found on the township website. The Township has a rich history dating back to the aboriginal peoples and then the western settlers in the late 1600's. A museum is now dedicated to the area's history and will be well worth a visit.

There are excellent transport links to Toronto and it's only around 40 minutes to drive to Pearson International airport (south). A prosperous town, the average income back in 1996 was over 97,000 with an unemployment rate of 5%. In the 8 years since I can only see that the average income would rise to over $100,000 per household.

The Town Of Newmarket is another large town with a population of over 73,000 that is growing fairly quickly. Over 70% of the population are under 45 years old. With all the amenities you would expect for a big town, Newmarket is home to the York Region Administrative Headquarters, the Provincial Court and the District 1 Police HQ.

The Southlake regional health centre is a fully equipped modern hospital with plans for expansion. These combine to make local government the highest employer in the area. On top of this, the local business community is growing at over 3.5% each year with retail stores and manufacturing companies having a large presence. Use the links on the town site to go to the Chamber of Commerce site for the full listing of businesses.

For recreation purposes there is a full program of sports and activities with the new Ray Twinney Rec. centre having two arena's and an indoor pool. There are several other arena's, pools and rinks in the town as well as a youth centre with a fully equipped skatepark. All the usual outdoor activities are available in the area including hiking, cross country skiing and golf. For the less energetic, the Upper Canada Mall is an impressive 1 million square feet of shops which should pacify even the most hardy shopper!

House prices are reasonable for Ontario with the average in 2001 being $242,000 for a single family detached home. Being located close to Toronto brings obvious benefits with great transport links including the GTA GO Transit system. The York Region Transit system also operates in the town. Highway 404 will direct you to the downtown area of Toronto in around 30 minutes and Pearson International airport is only an hour away. Buttonville airport in nearby Markham is useful for lighter regional aircraft.

The Town Of Richmond Hill is one of the fastest growing large municipalities in Canada and has a population of over 158,000. Situated directly North of Toronto, (between Markham and Vaughan), Richmond Hill is ideally located for commuting and access to the city for recreation or onward travel. As with the other municipalities, Richmond Hill has the York Transit, Toronto Transit Commission and the GTA GO Transit networks providing great options for transport.

Richmond Hill is renowned for its world class high tech manufacturing and research companies with the lowest R&D taxes in the G7 group of countries. Major international IT companies like Lexmark and Compaq are headquartered here along with MGI software and Shaw Communications. The young population provide a well educated workforce and with the average cost of housing lower than most other areas of the GTA is a popular place to settle.

Recreational opportunities are plentiful with Lake Wilcox providing aqautic fun along with the Lois Hancy Wave Pool and over a hundred parks for jogging, cycling and hiking. Golfers are well catered for and there are movie theatres, the enormous central Library and the David Dunlop Observatory for the less active.

The Town Of Whitchurch-Stouffville is a collection of smaller communities and rural areas and was established in 1792. Located some 24 Km North of Toronto it is on the Eastern/Central side of York Region. There is a population of around 24,000 who enjoy pleasant countryside with farms and equestrian facilities along with the small urban centres. The area has good transportation links with the York Region Transit and the GTA GO Transit networks. Only 30 minutes from Pearson and 15 to Buttonville airports means you can soon be on your travels.

The major employers are in the Business and personal services sector with the area experiencing a healthy 8.5% growth rate. Only 3% of the population remains unemployed.

A modern Hospital opened in 1990 and with good schools, a library and Museum there are plenty of facilities. The York-Durham heritage railway runs through the area with several stops and there are plenty of golf courses and recreational programs.

For more detailed information and great links please go to http://www.onestopimmigration-canada.com/yorkregion.html

Dave Lympany emigrated to Canada in 2003 and has developed a free information resource for Canadian Immigration and life in Canada - http://www.onestopimmigration-canada.com

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Yorkshire A Fantastic Place to Visit

Yorkshire - A Fantastic Place to Visit
By Simon Gregson

Yorkshire is a wonderful place to visit. The scenery is diverse and the people are very friendly. If you want to take the kids away on holiday, then there can be no better place than Bridlington or Scarborough on the East Coast. Even if it is raining, there are always things to do. On a bright sunny day, the beach at Bridlington is a paradise for young children, they'll love building sandcastles and hunting in the rock pools near Sewerby on Bridlingtons north beach.

Further up the coast is Flamborough, which is a chalk promintary protruding a few miles in to the sea. The cliffs are an ideal nesting site for seabirds including guillamots and puffins. The best place to see them is at the RSPB reserve at Bempton. The sea cliffs here rise majestically from the sea hundreds of feet high.

Venturing inland there is the Yorkshire Wolds. The Wolds are a wonderful place for walkers, with the long distance Wolds Way going from the Humber Bridge (amongst the longest in the world) up to Filey Brigg. Dotted among the Wolds are small villages, all are pretty unique and full of character.

The North Yorkshire Moors is one of Britains National Parks. It is home to the largest expanse of heather in the UK. For a really good pint, and brilliant view have a visit to the Black Lion on Blakey Ridge which is just above Rosedale Valley. The pub is at one of the highest parts of the moors, and is very remote. In the Winter, if you are lucky enough you could be trapped there for a few days - enough time to sample the good food that is served.

Dont forget a visit to Whitby - home of Bram Stokers Dracula. Some of the best fish and chip restaurants in Yorkshire are to be found in Whitby, most of the fish and shell fish is locally landed from the North Sea into Whitby Harbour. From the harbour, you can take a leisure cruise on the old Whitby Life Boat, a fast speedboat or a cruiser, these trips take from 30 minutes to an hour and are very reasonably priced.

Simon Gregson is the author of http://www.yorkshire-tourist.co.uk - a website aimed at promoting Yorkshire as a tourist destination of choice.

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Travel Maryland Unique and Amazing Tourist Attractions of Frederick Maryland

Travel -- Maryland -- Unique and Amazing Tourist Attractions of Frederick, Maryland
By Ugur Akinci

Every September, on the third week following the Labor Day holiday, the Great Frederick Fair welcomes all visitors with a program that is worthy of its name. The Fair was first held back in May 1822. How's that for some tradition? It first started as a Cattle Show and progressed to its current status as a 4-H agricultural educational fair and good old fashioned entertainment for the whole family. Local farmers compete to win the top prizes for their exhibited cattle and livestock.

If you like history and architecture you must not miss the Schifferstadt Architectural Museum in Frederick, MD. This is the oldest building in Frederick and a perfect example of the mid-18th Century German architecture (built in 1756).

Here is another attractions you might definitely want to include in your tour of Frederick, Maryland:

The fantastic Lilypons Water Gardens present one of the largest lilly ponds in the world. People from all over the world come to see this garden situated in historic Buckeystown, just outside south of Frederick. Founded in 1917, this is really the place to be if you'd like to rest your tired eyes with the gorgeous spectacle of all kinds of delicate lilies. Koi & Wine Festival, Ed Sander Memorial Bike Ride, and Family Festival at the Farm (in October) are just some of the events held at this unique tourist spot (http://www.lilypons.com/).

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Ugur Akinci, Ph.D. is a Creative Copywriter, Editor, an experienced and award-winning Senior Technical Communicator specializing in fundraising packages, direct sales copy, web content, press releases, movie reviews and hi-tech documentation. He has worked as a Technical Writer for Fortune 100 corporations since 1999.

You are most welcomed to visit his COPYWRITING WEB SITE http://www.writer111.com for more information on his multidisciplinary background, writing career, and client testimonials.

Register at his web site to get your FREE Writing and Marketing Tips & Ideas.

He is the editor of PRIVATE TUTOR FOR SAT MATH SUCCESS web site http://www.privatetutor.us

In addition to being an Ezine Articles Expert Author, he is also a Senior Member of the Society for Technical Communication (STC), Member of Bethesda / Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce of Maryland, and a Member of the American Writers and Artists Institute (AWAI).

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3 Great Reasons Why Should Take A Vacation Last Minute...

3 Great Reasons Why Should Take A Vacation Last Minute...
By Jon Tan

Making travel plans is never fun especially if it involves the whole family. To me it can be both confusing and frustrating! There is so much to do and you have to make sure that you are making the right decision for you and your family to get the best value for your dollar. Let me tell you why you can and should kiss travel planning goodbye.

Save Your Money?
With most travel plans, often times you have to decide months in advance. You need to start saving money to make the expense of the trip a little more affordable. But why pay more when you can pay less with last-minute deals. It's a fact that unforseen circumstances cause travel cancellations to happen, you do not need to save money to save money, get it? This is because most last-minute deals are already very discounted. Travel providers would rather have your money now than to leave their flights, rooms or cruise empty. And what better way to do so than through last minute deals!

Decisions, Decision and More Decisions?
Let's face it, with most travel plans you need to decide where you are going. This will depend on why you are traveling. If you are planning a family vacation, then you may decide to go somewhere that the whole family will enjoy. There maybe a fun spot like Disneyland or maybe a tropical getaway for two. The next step is to figure out how you will be traveling. This could mean that you want to fly, or take a train, or maybe you are going to drive. Considering how many people are going and where you are going. Make sure that you go with a choice that allows everyone to be comfortable and that it is a route that you can afford etc.

If going on a vacation is supposed to help you unwind, why do you need to stress yourself up with the finer details like above? Many last-minute deals are packaged into themes with the options of including various attractions in the package, from golf to outdoor adventure with destinations already pre-packaged into those all-inclusive deals, all you need to do is simply book and go!

Make Arrangements for Home?
Imaging having to have someone check on your home and take care of a few things for you while you are away. And if you have pets you have to make sure that someone comes and feeds them and checks in on them for you. You may need someone to water your flowers or even get your mail for you while you are away.

Personally, it does sound like too much work even before the vacation has started, last-minute deals are typically 3 to 5 days in length, a good nice amount of time away for you to just go, enjoy, relax and be back without the hassle of making these arrangements.

If you want to learn how and where to secure all these great last-minute deals, check out Last-Minute-Vacation-Guide.com.

Copyright Statement
This article was written by Jonathan Tan and may be reproduced on any dating & personal development-related website provided this copyright statement is displayed unedited in its entirety at the foot of the article and you use the exact same HTML code to ensure a clickable link back to the author's site. Further articles are also available. Contact the author for more information. Copyright Last-Minute-Vacation-Guide.com

As a business traveler, Jonathan has traveled extensively within America, across Asia and Europe. Last minute travel is the norm for him, you can check out more discount travel sites that offer last minute deals at Last-Minute-Vacation-Guide.com.

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Namibia

Namibia
By John W. Spence

John and I have returned from twelve days in Namibia.

Having been to Africa a few times before, I didnt have the urge of many visitors to tick all the boxes, see the big five.whatever you want to call it. Call me a philistine, but once youve seen one reticulated giraffe youve seen them all. I was after a different type of trip.

If, like me, you want to experience a landscape that is totally unique and witness first-hand one of the worlds most hostile and dramatic environments, then Namibia is a must. It blew me away.

We started the trip in Windhoek. A fairly non-descript town, but a pleasant enough place to recover from the flight and an interesting insight into the horrors of modern, German-influenced architecture.

The next day we headed off. South. We were advised to drive over a special pass, which we duly did. As we came round the corner of the pass, there in front of us was the most astonishing desert vista. I leapt out the car, shot a roll of film and would have gone home happy there and then.

If Id known what was coming I wouldnt have even wound down the window.

Over the next four days we stayed in various places in the Southern part of the Namib desert. I shant list them. They all have their different merits and it depends on what you are after. For the record my clear favourite was the Wolwedans where we spent a night at the Lodge Camp and then another at the Dune Camp. Which youd prefer is really your call. Lodge Camp is plush, Dune Camp is authentic. The food in both is truly exceptional perhaps the best Ive ever had on safari.

The Wolwedans area is totally, totally stunning. I havent the vocabulary to describe the landscapes and anyway that is only half of the wonder of this place. The atmosphere and aura are awesome to behold and the changing colours of the dunes defy belief. You wont see much wildlife, but that which you do see, has a very special beauty and commands the greatest respect. Seeing a Gemsbok eek out an existence in the Namib desert is, for my money, more impressive than a Lion in the Masai Mara any day.

The other area we visited in the South and that is probably on most peoples Namibia Hit List is Soussusvlei. On the whole trip this was the only time I ever saw anyone else. Its Namibias number one tourist attraction and it shows but, even if that bothers you, they are worth the visit. The mystique of the desert is somewhat lost here but, they are the tallest sand dunes in the world and they are incredible. My advice, which will make more sense when you are there, is to drive straight past the famous dunes and into the less visited area called the Deadvlei (youll need a 4WD car). Get there as early as possible when the shadows are long. I guarantee astonishment.

Whilst in the south we squeezed in a couple of extras. One morning we ballooned over the dunes. If youre a balloon virgin this is a great place to lose your cherry. I was and I loved it despite a fear of heights.

I dont like horses, camels have bad breath and elephants are very uncomfortable to ride, so Quad biking has always been top of my list. The Namib desert is a very, very fragile environment so initially the eco-tourist in you may be a little uncomfortable at the thought of Quad biking. Two hours later youll be perched on top of a sand-dune watching the sun go down with a Vodka and Tonic in your hand and your ethics will be long forgotten. Trust me, this rocks. I defy anyone not to whoop with joy as they fly across the desert on these modern camels.

We then headed back north to Swakopmund on the coast. Initial reactions? What the hell are we doing here? It makes Windhoek look like Venice. However my opinions changed. If you follow one awesome desert landscape with another awesome desert landscape and then follow that with yet another awesome desert landscape, it is possible to become a little jaded and lose perspective. With hindsight, and in view of the mind-boggling four days we were about to embark on, Im glad we had this short time out.

Not least because it afforded us the time to practise a little shark fishing. You have two options; off the boat or off the beach. The logical minded might assume that the boat would equate to greater success and bigger fish. Not a bit of it. Choose the beach without doubt. Even if you have fished a hundred times or have never held a rod in your life I urge you to give it a whirl. This is totally unique and completely thrilling. Unfortunately, I cant say more since any description of the day on my part would, Im afraid, only deepen the wounds in Johns pride. Suffice to say that as a collective we had much success. The nice part was that they all get returned to the sea.

We then embarked on what was undoubtedly the highlight of the trip. The Schoeman fly-in safari of the Skeleton Coast. For the next three nights and four days I was subjected to the most relentless assault of stunning landscapes, thrilling experiences, fascinating knowledge, infectious enthusiasm and all-out-no-holds-barred-African-wilderness-drop-dead-gorgeous-mind-blowing-incredible time.

I like to think Ive travelled a bit. Ive driven a motorbike from Calcutta to London, lived in the jungles of Belize for six weeks, canoed rivers in Canada, played football in Japan, travelled the Karakorum Highway, lived on deserted islands in the Phillipines, camped in Lawrence of Arabias favourite desert the Wadi RumI could go on.

In Africa I have been fortunate to experience the A list of Safaris. Ive travelled with Robin Hurt and Ker & Downey. Ive been to Abus Camp in Botswana, ridden horses with PJ and Barney, seen leopard make a kill..again, I could go on. But nothing, and I mean nothing, touches the Schoeman Safari.

I dont want to attempt to describe it. Two reasons. Firstly, I cant. Secondly, the finest thing about the Schoeman trip is how brilliantly the brothers unravel the desert before your very eyes and ears. Each day springing new surprises and opening new doors for you. The Schoemans have lived here all their lives. It shows they are mad so would you be. But within that madness is an incredible fountain of knowledge and a passion to share it. I genuinely never knew that a place like the Skeleton Coast existed on this planet (Henk Schoeman the youngest of the brothers and our guide - is convinced that the recent pictures to emerge from Mars were taken here).

To have the Skelton Coast shown to me by one of the Schoemans and to view it in this style was the complete ultimate. This is the real McCoy. No contest.

It is hard work though. The planes and land rovers are old and uncomfortable. The pace is relentless and the camps are basic but definitely more than adequate. The food isnt great it would be logistically impossible for it to be better.

But that is exactly what makes this trip so wonderful and real. Living in the Namib desert is no walk in the park and, frankly if the Himba tribes people can survive years of drought then you can manage four days of hard travelling. I guarantee that when you come into land at the first camp sight you will be completely dumbstruck, and youve yet to experience land-rover tobogganing, the welwitschia plant, Bushmen artwork, roaring sand-dunes (the most astonishing thing I have ever heard), desert elephants, bread baked in a coffee percolator, ship-wrecks, the quartz kaleidoscope, seal colonies.

But above all of this and more, you will experience pure, total and completely untouched wilderness.

A rare and incredibly beautiful thing.

http://www.aardvarksafaris.com/articles-namibia-otto.htm

John Spence originally cut his teeth as a cocktail barman in Cape Town and white water raft guide in Zimbabwe. This unorthodox first travel to Africa buried a strong seed of love for that continent which has grown and grown. Endless weird and wonderful trips to Africa on horse back, by canoe, on foot, light aeroplane and behind the wheel of his own Land Rover have yet to fully satisfy his thirst for knowledge of Africa. Johns two children are also set to become safari experts and are beginning to accompany him on some of his less adventurous trips so hes a good person to talk to about family holidays as well. An itinerary to Africa designed by John will be based on a huge bank of knowledge and a big injection of enthusiasm and adventure.

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You are on Holiday AllInclusive Resorts in the Dominican Republic

You are on Holiday, All-Inclusive Resorts in the Dominican Republic
By Ken Wilssens

Relax, you are on holiday. No, really. Relax. Its fine. If you want to meander from poolside to poolside, bathe in the vibrant Caribbean sun, enjoy an El Presidente or gaze out on crystalline blue waters, and leave the moola in the fanny pack, youre here. All-Inclusive Resorts in the Dominican Republic are getting a reputation. One for tropical holidays at reasonable prices, where few extra charges, or Herculean efforts, need apply.

Typically packages for all-inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic include lodging, buffet-style meals, alcohol, entertainment, specialty restaurants, and may include gratuities, taxes and popular island diversions, such as scuba, horseback riding, snorkeling, aerobics, golf or day excursions. It really depends. On how much you want to pay. And how much you want your package to do for you. Are you going to the tropics for Pilates, or for the white sandy beaches?

You may find better deals off the resort for some of those extras. Away from the high walls and enclosed compounds, where luxury is often in the eye of the beholder. Know that when you book three-star accommodations, sometimes you really do have to be satisfied with what three-star accommodations have to offer. And what satisfies may depend more on whether you are a jock on Spring Break or looking to swap the stresses of your latte life for a week of golf and sun. Check out Debbies Dominican Republic Travel Page for over 4,000 layman reviews to find the all-inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic that works for you.

Are you okay with bland food if the staff is friendly? Will you forego an afternoon safari if the beaches are quiet and clean? Ask Debbie at debbiesdominicantravel.com.

The best reason yet for choosing an all-inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic may be ease. Book it, pay for it and enjoy it. Venture off the resort if you choose. Enjoy the museums, discos and eco-tourism. But know that a lounge chair and mojito awaits back at the resort. Really, relax. Its paid for.

For lots of helpful information on Dominican Republic travel and related topics, visit The Dominican Republic Travel Guide at http://www.dominican-republic-travel-guide.com

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