Jorbins.com: Travel and Vacation

(Article) - Travel to Hawaii - Hawaiian Adventure

Jorbins.com — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 21:52:31 GMT

There are so many outdoor activities to do when you travel to Hawaii that it is hard to name them all. We are going to take a few of them and tell you where our favorite places to adventure are. That way the next time you travel to Hawaii you will have some ideas on where you want to travel to for your own adventures.

Snorkeling

We love to snorkel at Kealakekua Bay. The coral reefs are absolutely beautiful and we think we see more colorful tropical fish there than anywhere else in Hawaii. The visibility has always been superior, and the water is pretty calm and protected there as well. The temperature is usually in the mid to upper 70's so we think this is the best snorkeling Hawaii has to offer and anytime we travel to Hawaii we make sure we fit this in.

Scuba Diving

I would have to say Kauai is the best place for scuba diving in Hawaii. We love all the people of Hawaii but the people of Kauai are so accommodating that any scuba diving trip is going to be loads of fun. Kauai is known as the garden island and they have the most beautiful beaches we have ever seen. Every Hawaii adventure we take we marvel at the breathtaking views, waterfalls, and forests. We always plan our vacation to take some extra time here to enjoy the surroundings.

Biking

Almost everywhere you go you find wonderful bike trails. We have just started going on bicycling trips and tours when we travel to Hawaii so we don't really have a favorite yet. We have enjoyed all that we have went on though. The roads and tracks are exceptional and we have been very impressed with any bicycle rentals that we have had. But if we were to say what our favorite trip was so far it would have to be coasting from Mt. Haleakala summit to the ocean. It was 38 miles and we had to pedal very very little.

Fishing

Just being out on the ocean is so relaxing that it makes up for not catching any fish. We have been fishing on almost every trip to Hawaii and have never caught a fish! But almost everyone else that we fish with has exceptional fishing luck. So I am going to hold off on telling you our favorite fishing spot until we actually catch a fish. But if you see us fishing you will want to come along because we seem to bring good luck to all the other fishermen! So look for us the next time you travel to Hawaii to go fishing.

Surfing

We have tried many different water sports when we go travel to Hawaii but surfing is not one of them. I love to watch other people surf but so far we haven't braved that sport yet. We sail, kayak, and have even tried hand gliding in Hawaii but never surfing. I guess we will have to put that on our to do list for our next Hawaii adventure.

I hope you enjoy our favorite places to go every time we travel to Hawaii. We try to go at least twice a year and have been known to make the trip much more often that that. I hope that our experiences inspire you to travel to Hawaii and have your own Hawaii adventure.

Filed In: Travel and Vacation | Western United States | Hawaii

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(Article) - Budget Travel-How To

Jorbins.com — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 00:00:17 GMT

A friend and I were talking not long ago about budget travel. Although Omar Shafqat, who is originally from Pakistan and came to live in the United States as a teenager, loves to travel, he said that he is still intimidated by the thought of leaving on a trip for several months with a very limited budget.

As an ex-study abroad advisor and a dedicated traveler, I like to convince people to travel, so I thought I would write a list of things you can do to prepare for a trip on a budget, whether you want to start with a few weeks or you're ready to go for a few years.

Planning a trip without a tour guide is easier than you think. All you need is the desire to explore. Well, that and a few other things, but first things first.

Firsts are always intimidating so I can understand why some people who have never traveled on their own feel nervous about going backpacking. When I finished my contract in Japan and left for Thailand with a two-month ticket, I wondered how long I would really last.

I wasn't traveling alone so that was a comfort, but two months is a long time. What would we do all that time? As a couple, would we be able to put up with each other 24 hours a day or would we end up traveling back on our own and never speak again?

Now that we're back and still speaking, I can tell you that two months is way too short and there was not one time I got bored on that trip. However, I'm happy we thought about all these things before we left.

So, here is my advice for all the "backpacker virgins" out there.

Pick a Place

It's sounds obvious, but you may find that it's one of the toughest questions to answer.

Pick up that travel book you just finished, or the jacket of the travel documentary/movie you've just watched and take a look at the places described. Was the character helping villagers in Africa build a new school? Was he backpacking solo in Latin America? What places described in the book made you want to leave and explore?

Start reading message boards on websites like www.lonelyplanet.com, www.travellerspoint.com or www.craigslist.org. Many first-time and seasoned travelers share fears, feedback and practical information on specific destinations or activities. These messages will get you thinking about what it is you're really looking for in this trip.

Once you've found the destination of your dreams, you've already made a lot of progress. In case you really don't know, send me an e-mail, I have too many places on my list anyways.

The only constant in budget travel-a collection of empty water bottles in every room where you spend the night. InsideOut Travel.

What Do You Want to Do?

Think about the posts you read, the travel books you've checked out at the library and the articles you've been reading in magazines. Why do you want to go on this trip?

I asked Omar what interests him about budget traveling. He said, "the excitement-it's an adventure, a challenge to survive on minimal resources in a foreign land. And the sense of accomplishment you will get after the trip will be worth the sacrifices you would have made, let alone the fact that you have saved money for your next trip."

What are some things "you" want to accomplish?

Whether it's getting your PADI certification, skiing in the Alps or laying on the beach in the Caribbean, it's important to have an idea of what you want out of your upcoming trip.

Thinking about what you like and what you don't like will also help you choose what time of year you should head out. If skiing in the Alps is on your agenda for instance, you may want to rethink your June departure.

This also brings us to another question-do you want to travel alone or with a boyfriend/girlfriend/relative? Although traveling alone may sound scary especially if it's your first backpacking trip, if you and your traveling partner are not interested in doing similar things, you may be better off by yourself. Ayun Halliday wrote an entire book about that-isn't that enough proof that traveling with someone can be tough?

Practical Stuff

So now you know where you want to go or at least where your first stop will be and some of the things you want to do. You now need to think about some of the practicalities, such as the kind of clothing you'll need.

If you're planning on doing a lot of hiking, you may want to start looking into buying a pair of hiking boots. Depending on where you go, it may be cheaper to wait until you get there but keep in mind that once you're traveling, you may prefer to put on the boots you brought in the morning and go explore the countryside instead of getting stuck in the city shoe shopping.

If you're planning on traveling to cold areas, it's a good idea to read up on protection for your face, eyes and feet. Same goes if you're heading to warm spots, although I find these a lot easier to prepare for-all you need is a pair of sunglasses, a hat, a bathing suit, sunscreen and a sarong that you can use a towel/skirt/bag.

Do you wear contacts or glasses? If you do, bring a spare or a prescription with you when you travel in case you need to get a replacement.

Are you on any type of medication/taking birth control/need allergy medicine every spring? As you may not be able to find the brand you're used to, I would recommend taking all this stuff with you or having friends or relatives mail it to you as you travel. Also keep in mind that you may need show prescriptions at customs.

Talking about health, will you need vaccinations prior to departure? Although you don't need to get all the recommended shots, some basic ones may be good to have. Check www.mdtravelhealth.com for more information.

Omar added "this list can be different for different people. For example-for someone like me, who loves to read, it would be important to pack a few good books whereas someone like my friend Helena who can't go 10 minutes without a cigarette, a few cartons of cigarettes would help unless she knows that she will be able to buy cigarettes at a similar price at her destination, if not, it will be harder for her to manage a limited budget."

Difficulties

One of the things I love the most about budget travel is the contact you have with locals-getting to know people, learning about cultures and traditions and being exposed to things you would never see at home on your way to work. In my opinion, this is also one the hardest things about budget travel. As a budget traveler, you are in closer contact with local reality which sometimes means facing poverty, war victims and prostitution.

Although I haven't found a solution to all situations, I think that reading about these topics beforehand helped me. My first instinct was to want to give to the person directly. However, reading about it, I found that it doesn't always help as much as I'd thought. Giving money to children in Vietnam, for example, may encourage parents to make their children beg instead of putting them in school. Most guidebooks have a section on this, so read it.

Money, and Lack Of

When asked what worries him about traveling on a budget, Omar said "the fear that the budget is too low and I will run out of money at the worst possible time."

I'm cheap when I travel. That means, I don't stay at the Four Seasons and I don't care if my backpack is the North Face or a bright orange one I got ten years ago. On the other hand, I like clean sheets and no leftover smells from the guy who stayed in the room the day before. So, if that means spending two more dollars on the room, I'll probably give in and spend less on dinner that day.

Some may agree with me, and others may think I'm a needy princess rather than a real budget traveler. In short, budget travel means something different to everyone. So, depending on your traveling standards, you may spend more or less money.

Look at some of the activities you had in mind and consider the costs as you calculate the funds you'll need. You also need to look at the cost of living in the country you're visiting. You may need $1,000 a month to travel around Europe but $500 to backpack in Southeast Asia.

Since you probably have more time than money you can choose how slowly or fast you want to burn through your budget. However, if you find yourself in a desperate financial situation, there are three things you can do right away: Take out the spare credit card, although I don't recommend going into debt for a trip; Call the family and ask them to wire some money; Get yourself a temporary job.

Ticket to Ride

So, you've now saved up enough money to go job-free on your travels, or you've decided to extend your trip and pick up a job in different countries to continue. No matter what the case is, you now need to get your ticket.

Get on the Internet, check out bargains on websites like www.travelocity.com, www.bestfares.com, www.skyauction.com, www.airtreks.com, www.travelcuts.com and www.airbrokers.com.

Don't get the ticket right away though-ask other travelers for advice and do some research. Once you've done that, you'll probably find yourself with a few other stops planned and a great price.

Now, Go Back and Erase Everything

I'm kidding... well only a little. Remember when Dad would plan the entire road trip before the family left and then get mad because the first day, we were already three days behind according to the itinerary?

Do yourself a favor and throw the itinerary away now. If you've planned everything to a T, you're going to find yourself running everywhere to make sure you're doing everything on the list and while you're doing that, you probably won't have time to enjoy any of it.

Traveling on a budget means that you'll have more time than money. So, start your trip, then decide what you want to do as you go. Let things happen. It's much more fun when the fun isn't planned.

As you start traveling also keep in mind that tickets can be changed and this is only your first trip, which means you have plenty of other ones ahead of you. So, if there are places you don't have time to see this time, remember them next time you get ready to hit the road.

Picture may be found at http://www.insideoutmag.com/0904/facts0904.htm

About the Author:

Helene Goupil is the editor of InsideOut Travel Magazine, an online budget travel publication that can be seen at www.insideoutmag.com. To receive monthly updates, subscribe to our free newsletter at http://www.insideoutmag.com/subscribe.htm

Filed In: Travel and Vacation | Western United States | Alaska

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(Article) - Tips for Planning an Enjoyable Houseboat Vacation

Jorbins.com — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 00:00:16 GMT

Houseboating can be a lot of fun for any age, size or type of group. The following suggestions and ideas are the result of many years of experience, and are intended to help make preparation for your trip easier. What works for one person does not necessarily work for another, so you may find only bits and pieces of this useful to you. The idea is to have fun, reduce stress, and have a great houseboat adventure.

Organizing a group to go houseboating

Modern, larger houseboats generally sleep 10-18; so most people try to fill up the boat to keep the cost per person as low as possible. Putting a group together is easy. Often great friends make a tradition out of an annual houseboating trip. Their children have lasting memories, and the adults have fun, too. If children are of varying ages, you may want to consider allowing them to invite friends, as it may increase their enjoyment of the trip. There are no limits to whom you might invite, and many times your friends might bring their friends and new friendships are formed!

Dividing the work

Planning the trip includes contacting everyone you'd like to have participate, getting commitments from them, planning the food and drink, planning the transportation, and making provisions for the cost of supplies and houseboat rental.

Setting a Date

The first challenge for any group will be picking the date. If you know exactly who will be going on the trip, you simply talk to everyone and find out what dates they're able to go and select dates that work for everyone. It is strongly recommended that your group agree on a second and third choice of dates in case you're planning on vacationing during a popular time. As soon as you have the dates established, you should make a reservation. Even though there is frequently last minute availability of boats, all of the boats of any particular size could easily be reserved for any particular week. (Additionally, you'll want to consider taking advantage of off-season discounts.)

With several people having independent schedules, it is sometimes challenging to find dates that will work for everyone. If you don't know who is going on the trip, reserve the houseboat for the dates that work for you, and then invite other people until you have commitments from enough people to make the trip possible.

Arranging for Payment

It is a good idea to have people give you the cash for their share of the rental cost at the time they make the commitment, because if they've paid there is less chance they will change their minds. If someone drops out at the last minute and hasn't paid, it puts a burden on everyone else. You are likely to find that most people have a hard time actually making a commitment, and will not feel locked in until they have paid. You can pay for the boat as early as you want, so the sooner you collect the money and pay for the boat, the better.

Be sure to keep a good record of how much money you have received and from whom. In some cases it might make sense to let people pay you a small amount of money each month over a six-month period. You will be required to pay a deposit when you make the reservation, and then pay the full amount of the rental 60 to 75 days prior to your trip. You will get the deposit back after your trip, less the cost of any damages or losses to the vessel. You can generally use the deposit refund to pay for the gas to fill the houseboat at the end of your trip, if the marina has sufficient funds to make change for the refund check.

Planning the Food

This can be done in several ways, depending on the type of group and the likes and dislikes of the people. The boat will have stovetop burners, an oven and a barbecue, so the choices for cooking are varied. Roasting something in the oven for three hours on a hot day may not be the best idea, since it could contribute to making the boat uncomfortable, even with air-conditioning. It is a good idea to stick to things that are simple to prepare.

Here are some options to make your meal planning easier:

Option (1): Have one person prepare a menu for the entire trip, and buy all of the groceries for the menu. Have someone type up a sheet explaining what food is for which meal. Of course, if someone eats the wrong food at the wrong time it will upset the plans and upset some people. However, this approach results in a minimum of excess food and, with proper planning, could make it easier to handle food storage.

Option (2): Assign meals to various people, making each person responsible to bring one, two or three specific meals. This spreads the work around and lets everyone participate, without anyone person having to do too much. It spreads the cleanup job, too!

Option (3): Let each individual or family take care of his or her own food. This might be a good idea if one family has special eating demands, such as being vegetarians. Generally, though, it is more fun to eat together as a group.

The division of food costs is an important consideration. If you use the first option, there will be an easily calculated cost that can be divided by the number of people on the trip and everyone can be charged for their share. It is important to be fair in allocating costs to prevent anyone from possibly 'getting their feathers ruffled'. If you use the second option, try to give each group comparable meals to bring. If you use the third option, money may not be an issue.

Drinks are also an important consideration. Usually it will be easiest to have everybody bring what he or she wants to drink. You should use the ice chest that comes on the houseboat for the drinks, because the drinks stay colder in ice. Also, frequent opening of the boat's refrigerator door to access drinks will result in the refrigerator not working adequately, and nothing will be very cold. If you buy common drinks for everyone, be sure to estimate the cost high and collect the money before the trip. Also, expect to buy at least a couple bags of ice per day during your trip. The exact amount of ice you will use will depend on the outside temperature.

If you go out for a week, storing all of the food for a large group is a challenge. One thing to consider is the possibility of packing the meat for the second half of the week in an ice chest with some dry ice, and tape the lid shut. After four days everything will still be frozen.

About the Author:

To learn more about houseboating opportunities available in Northern California, visit www.houseboats.com or call 877-HOUSEBOAT (468-7326).

Filed In: Travel and Vacation | Western United States | Alaska

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(Article) - Travel to Alaska for an Alaska Vacation! It can be an Adventure of a Lifetime.

Jorbins.com — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 00:00:15 GMT

First off when most people travel to Alaska part of their travel plans are to do some wildlife viewing, especially bears. Wildlife viewing is part of the appeal to an Alaska adventure and the is big reason why most of us travel to Alaska.

For those of you who have never been to Alaska let me tell you it is one of the most beautiful places you can travel to. It has three times the coastline of the rest of the U.S. and it has some of the tallest mountains, longest rivers, and largest lakes in the world. There are glaciers, forests, and parks bigger than entire states. The beauty of Alaska makes it my favorite place to travel to.

I want to start out by giving you some tips for any bear or wildlife viewing you may do. You want your trip to be an Alaska adventure but you want to be safe while doing it. Plus you want to know how to go about finding the wildlife that Alaska has to offer. Some of the wildlife you may come into contact with are bald eagles, caribou, grizzly bears, polar bears, walrus, and muskoxen.

1. Plan your trip according to the season. Do a little research on the wildlife you want to see and find out when the best time of year to see them are. Some hibernate, like bears, or migrate and you don't want to travel to Alaska only to find out you should have came a month earlier or later.

2. A lot of the time the early bird and the night owl will see more wildlife. Dawn and dusk tend to be more favorable times to see wildlife.

3. Use binoculars, you will see things much more clearly and remain a safe distance away. It is so much better to see the animals close up to really see the way the move. Research a little on their feeding habits as well. It may help you to find better places to see the animals. Plus it is always better to view a bear with a little distance between you.

4. Move slowly, walk quietly, and try to fade into the background. Wildlife will often disappear when you show up but if you remain quiet and still it may come back after a time. Be sure and ask the locals where to go and what to look for. They will be more familiar with the area and often have the best and most current tips for finding what you are looking for.

5. Hire a guide. When you travel all this way to Alaska you want to make sure you enjoy yourself and make it an adventure of a lifetime. It could very well be money well spent.

6. Stay on the designated trails and if you see a hurt or "abandoned" animal stay away. Mom or dad may be watching and you don't want to see them in this circumstance. Yes that bear cub is awful cute, but what about mama bear and papa bear?

7. Be respectful of your surrounding when you travel to Alaska. Do not litter. You don't want to ruin someone else's Alaska adventure by littering.

8. Leave your pet at home or make sure it is restrained at all time. This is for your safety, your pet's safety, and the safety of the wildlife. Plus you will see much more without your pet along.

9. Don't feed the animals!! It could put you in harm, the next person that comes along in harm, and it could also be detrimental to the animals.

10. Dress appropriately and be sure and have many warm layers. Carry emergency gear and plenty of supplies. You never know when the weather may leave you stranded. Be sure that you are able to recognize and treat hypothermia. Split up your supplies as well. If you loose one backpack you better hope it doesn't have all the blankets, food or matches in it!

11. Make sure you are up for the challenge. Don't get so caught up on your adventure that you bite off more that you can chew. Know your physical limits and don't push them too far. Be sure that someone knows where you are hiking to and when you are expected back.

12. When you travel to Alaska be sure and bring your insect repellent!! Any other protective clothing will be appreciated later.

13. Be sure and purify any water you take from lakes and steams. You don't want to remember your trip to Alaska as being the time you got sick.

14. Be open to schedule changes you may decide to go on a different side venture while you are there. Remember this is a vacation don't run yourself ragged trying to see everything in too little time. Enjoy what you have time to see and plan to travel to Alaska again later to see what you didn't have time for.

15. Take a camera and plenty of film. You will want to capture everything on film to share with your friends and family. They will never be able to see and understand the beauty of Alaska until they see it for themselves but you will be able to relive it every time you get out your photo album.

Filed In: Travel and Vacation | Western United States | Alaska

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(Article) - Travel to New Hampshire

Jorbins.com — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 00:00:14 GMT

When you travel to New Hampshire you have almost an endless amount of outdoor activities to pursue. It is truly a great place to vacation to. We have picked out some of our favorite outdoor activities that we have done on our New Hampshire vacations.

We love to hike everywhere we vacation to, when we travel we always plan on at least having one outdoor nature hike. A vast number of hiking trails to choose from is one of the many reasons we like to travel to New Hampshire.

One we especially like and have done several times is hiking to Mt. Choucora. The trail is called Champney falls trail and it is extremely peaceful and quiet. It takes about half a day to hike and we like to have lunch by the falls. We have had lunch on top as well but it gets pretty windy. It is not a strenuous hike but it is very beautiful.

On our last New Hampshire vacation we went up the Jewell trail to the Mt. Washington summit. We had my niece and nephew along and they made the hike just fine. We enjoyed the cog railway and took it down the mountain. It was great weather when we took that trip but I have heard that if the weather is bad you may want to make other travel plans.

If you are pressed for time on your vacation you may want to hike the Mt. Fayal Trail it only takes about an hour and their is a beautiful lookout onto Squam Lake.

We have also enjoyed the Odiorne State Park area. It is a great place for kids and usually plan our vacations to include a stop here.

We also like to ski and New Hampshire has some great slopes. Our favorite places to ski are Black Mountain and Attitash Bear Peak. Both offer good skiing for beginners and experts. We fall in between there and have loved every ski vacation that we have taken to either place.

Planning to take in a canoe trip down the Connecticut river while you are on your New Hampshire vacation would be a great idea. We have done that several times on our travels through the area and while there is not a lot of rapids there are enough to keep it exciting enough for us.

Filed In: Travel and Vacation | Northeastern United States | New Hampshire

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(Article) - Whitewater Rafting

Jorbins.com — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 00:00:12 GMT

In early America, rivers were used as major sources of transportation. Today, river running has become a favorite recreational pastime. River rafting offers an array of experiences catering to all, from an easy float fishing trip on the Snake river in Wyoming to the thrilling rush, crashing through the infamous class V Lava Falls (part of the Grand Canyon's mighty and powerful Colorado river). Now sit back, relax and let Gordon's Guide escort you on a River Experience.

The aroma of morning coffee fills the mountain air. The sounds of the river begin to demand the attention of the rafters as they slowly awaken from the warmth of their synthetic zippered dens (sleeping bags). Sitting at the river's edge, enjoying their coffee, accompanied by a three egg omelette, sizzling bacon, homemade biscuits and fresh seasonal sliced fruit, they watch their river guides carefully preparing the river crafts for the day's journey. The last drops of coffee are battled for as if that could camouflage the anticipation, the exhilaration and uncertainty of the day's adventure that awaits newcomers to the river.

Feeling full of energy from the morning meal that was orchestrated by the surround sounds of nature, the chores begin as everyone starts breaking down camp, dismantling their tents, wrestling with their oversized sleeping bags that somehow fit into the tiny nylon cocoons, known to most as stuff sacks. With the morning chores completed, rafters bask in the sun as they lay atop the soft mounds of their recently packed gear. Piece by piece their mounds dwindle as the guides carefully hand-pick each bundle of equipment to complete their loads. Slowly, the campsite transforms to its natural state and becomes un-invaded by the group.

The awaited call comes. The lead guide takes position on a large boulder, the stage from which he recites, "it's time for our ceremonial prayer to the river gods." Rafters quickly gather 'round and follow as the lead guide chants to the East, chants to the West, chants to the North and chants to the South. All at once, the other river guides swarm in on the rafters from every direction with their bailing buckets brimming with icy river water. The screams are ear piercing and the laughter abounds as the rafters are doused - the final phase of the river prayer is complete with this perfect display of ceremony. The legend states that for those who partake in the ritual festivities honoring the mighty river Gods, a safe journey and a warm encounter with nature's wildlife will be granted them. Everyone secretly says their own prayer and draws a deep breath just as the lead guide issues the first official order of the day, "Everyone report to your assigned guide and load up."

As the boats depart into the river's swift current the rafters' uncertainty is broken by the confidence of the river guide's commands, "back paddle on the right, forward on the left." Miles are traveled and time passes. The confidence of the river crew grows, not by strength but by balance. The crew becomes one with the river. There's no music like the symphony sung by the motion of the water.

"Shh", listen! Hearts begin to race and friendly conversation is replaced with silence as a distant rumble increases in intensity. The demanding sounds of the rapids grow louder and louder. The rafters know the moment has arrived. Nervous and uncertain the crews cautiously listens to the commands of their river guides. Quicker than they know the rafts plunge into the chilling, powerful, unforgiving walls of thunderous white water. Serenity is replaced with rushing adrenaline. Minutes seem like an eternity. As quick as the rapids came upon them, the towering walls of water were gone, replaced with a tranquil slow moving stream. Now, the air is filled with the calming sounds of song birds. The sunshine has become everyone's best friend, melting away the water that kissed them from all directions. Moments later the guides become silent and still. They use hand signals to direct their rafters' attention to the visual feast that awaits on shore... to the left is a black bear watering her cubs at the river's edge, and farther ahead, barely in sight, is a bull elk peering through the thickets of overgrown flora. Overhead the piercing glance of a Bald Eagle sitting atop a lone pine observes the passers by. At this moment, rafters are convinced that the river Gods have honored them for partaking in the ritual river prayer.

Rapid after rapid, endless memories of smiles and laughter, the diversity of human character is challenged by the river's strength. The souls of the rafters are enlightened by the beauty of the river. Many hours have passed, the rapids have left a deep impression on everyone. The flora and fauna is breathtaking. The guides casually command to their hungry passengers "forward on the right side please." The boats begin to turn, the next command comes softly, "everyone forward paddle please." Rafters find themselves almost missing the instructions of the river guide because they're overtaken by the scenery beyond the banks of the river - purple lupines, golden poppies and infinite arrangements of flowers duplicating the colors of a rainbow. Pulling into the sandy beach, the rafters dismount their rubbery rides and become land lovers once again.

Lunch is served on the river's edge... three inch thick gourmet sandwiches, filled with tri tip, cheeses, cherry peppers and mile high condiments. There are kiwis, watermelon, Asian pears, and more desserts than a child would dream of. At lunch's end, and after a short nap or afternoon swim - back to the river dance, swirling and twirling with the majestic white water.

Rapid after rapid, not once does any mind linger to the deadlines of work assignments, nor the treacherous city freeway rush hours. Minds are at peace, reflecting on all that has been encountered on the river. Rafters relax, floating along and enjoying the alternating exchange of the shade from a cliff and the hot sun warming and tanning their skin.

Rafters are startled from the slumbering afternoon daydreams when the lead river guide shouts, "here comes the big one, PLEASE, listen carefully!" From seemingly nowhere, bubbling, churning water rumbled in the near distance. All of a sudden, the currents increase and the rafts are quickly pulled by the merciless hydraulics of the river, as if they had been hooked onto by a high-powered winch. The river has taken control. As the river quickly drops away, the rafters are suddenly struck by monstrous walls of chilling, foaming white water that roars in their faces like a beast about to devour their very existence. Fear sets in to one boat of rafters as their guide begins yelling, "high side, high side, climb the high side." They obey the begging commands of their river guide, charging to climb to the high side of their raft as it is tossed sideways from the turbulent walls of powerful white water. The rafters' life achievements seem to scramble through their minds, hoping the river Gods remember their prayers. Finally, just before it's too late, when that minute seemed like a lifetime, the ominous waters decided to become serene.

The evening "take-out site" is nearing and the smoke of the campfires, set by the guides who have arrived earlier, paint the sky. As rafters pull into shore they can see their tents have been set up and their personal gear carefully laid out for them. They wonder for a moment if they're in the middle of an 18-day river rafting journey through the Grand Canyon or a guest of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. As feet hit the warm sandy beach some scurry to be first at the volleyball net, while others head for a shade tree.

The sun is starting to set, the welcomed, cool evening breeze overtakes the heat of the day, the volleyball championship has been settled. Some rafters are napping and some are enjoying a cool evening dip. The aroma from the char broiled steaks fill the air and then the dinner bell is sound. After a hearty river meal of fire grilled fillet mignon, sweet white corn, steaming homemade rolls, freshly tossed greens tinted with a river secret dressing, topped off with a pineapple upside down cake fresh from the Dutch oven, the rafters are lured to the majestical power of the campfire. Here the nightly activities begin... music, dancing, and sing-a-longs. Plentiful conversation fills the air. The sound of a strumming guitar accompanied by the softness of a flute carry through the trees and is heard by a couple in the distance privately refreshing themselves underneath their solar shower hung on a tree branch. As their bodies are touched by the evening breeze, they can see their rafting companions in the distance gathered around the campfire-a slight beacon for them to use when they are ready to return to the others who have already drenched themselves with the words of the folk songs they sang as children. Together as a versed choir they sing in harmony a song from John Denver, Take Me Home Country Road, followed by Oh Suzanna and so many more.

As the evening hours pass, rafters learn and share the musical talents of all the river runners. At times music is replaced with memorable stories and cultural dances like Cajun Clogging and Folk. Stories from their most recent river quest are told and exaggerated. The courage, the fear, the uncertainty of the day's events, are all brought out by the magic of the campfire. As the music fades, the inevitable sunrise is only hours away. The rafters slowly drop away one by one, retiring to their synthetic zippered dens perched in the soft sand along the river's edge. There remains only a few sleepless but tired rafters sharing a silent moment interrupted only by the vanishing crackle of the fire and the faint sound of nearby rapids waiting to entertain tomorrow's adventurers.

Gordon's Guide to Whitewater Rafting
The Internet's largest selection of whitewater rafting worldwide. Forbes has said "If you're a river rafting enthusiast, don't miss Gordon's Guide." You can even select a river and get rafting information specific to that river.

Filed In: Travel and Vacation | Western United States | Alaska

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(Article) - A list of reminders to do before leaving home for those traveling.

Jorbins.com — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 00:00:11 GMT

1. Reconfirm any reservations you may have.

2. Arrange for someone to care for any plants or pets.

3. Have your mail held at the post office.

4. Stop any deliveries that may come while you are gone.

5. Leave a key along with your travel plans with a neighbor.

6. Turn down thermostat.

7. Empty refrigerator of all perishables.

8. Take out the trash.

9. Store any valuables in safe place.

10. Set-up a timed lighting system.

11. Unplug any appliances to eliminate fire hazards.

12. Let your neighborhood watch program know your plans.

13. Notify your local police department of you upcoming absence.

14. Return any videos or library books that may become due.

15. Lock all doors and windows.

16. Double check your list of items to take with you and make sure you didn't forget anything.

17. Pay any bills that will need paid before your return.

18. Change your answering machine message if necessary.

19. Put an on vacation message on your email address if it is appropriate.

20. Let someone on the other end know when you plan to arrive.

Filed In: Travel and Vacation | Western United States | Alaska

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(Article) - Travel to Penguin Parade on Phillip Island, Australia

Jorbins.com — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 00:00:10 GMT

Imagine your self, standing there as the call goes out that the first penguin hits the beach and starts its amazing walk towards the dunes. Then more individuals and small groups join in the storming of the beach. Finally they are coming at you in waves as they return to their nests in underground burrows up in the sand dunes.

This nightly ritual of the world's smallest Penguins emerging from the sea happens every evening on Summerland Beach. Which is part of Phillip Island Nature Park. The area is a reserve designed to protect and promote awareness of the Little Penguins, (previously called Fairy Penguins).

Small groups of people are also allowed to view the little penguins return to the ocean at sunrise. But numbers are strictly limited on these early morning viewing sessions.

The penguins' swim from 15 to 50km a day to hunt for the food required to feed themselves and their young, these birds swim in packs known as 'rafts'.

People and penguins are kept separate via a series of observation boardwalks and viewing stands so that we humans do not disturb or interrupt their twice-daily migration.

Penguin Parade is located on Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia that is only 140 kilometres southeast of Melbourne. This is an easy two-hour drive by car. Phillip Island is connected to the mainland via a bridge at The Narrows from San Remo to Newhaven, on the mainland. There are also a number of guided bus tours available out of Melbourne. As well as a variety of boat cruises around the area.

It is often best to book beforehand at a Melbourne visitor centre, through your hotel receptionist, or by contacting the Penguin Reserve on 5956 8300.

Accommodation is available in many of the small towns around the Island. Bed and Breakfast establishments abound in any of the small communities. There are also a variety of hotels and motels to choose from.

There are a number of other attractions on this Island, including a World famous Motor Sports Track for cars and motorbikes. So timing is everything to either catch or avoid the motor oil fumes and extra crowds of petrol heads there.

The state of Victoria's biggest privately owned Wildlife reserve is also on Phillip Island, where you can feed much of the local wildlife, including kangaroos, wallabies and emus. They also have tree top boardwalks for the viewing of the sleepy koalas.

Phillip Island is also well renown for its surfing and fishing. There are also wineries and great seafood to check out.

Australia's largest colony of fur seals also calls the area home and there are viewing areas and cruises available to get a closer look at these as well.

However the large amounts of seals and penguins, means that the island is also well renown for its resident sharks as well.

It's ease of access to the major city of Melbourne and its many and varied attractions have meant that Phillip Island has become one of the major tourist destinations of Australia, and no trip down under would be complete without at least a daytrip to this wonderful part of the country.

About the Author:

Ron Williams, Ipswich, Queensland, Australia - impatients63@hotmail.com - http://www.geocities.com/impatients63/

Ron Williams is a Freelance writer as well as being a Horticulturist and a Rehabilitation Therapy Aid at a Psychiatric Hospital in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. He writes ezines for wz.com. He runs his own Website called Bare Bones Gardening. He also owns a discussion group about Australian Gardening, called Austgardens at www.groups.yahoo.com

Filed In: Travel and Vacation | Western United States | Alaska

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