Posts Tagged ‘Home’

Driving Home #1 – Killbear Provincial Park & Led Zeppelin

Video #1 of our ride home from a weekend camping trip.. Led Zeppelin remastered CD playing in the background. Hwy 400 & 69 South, Ontario Canada

Reasons for Building A Home In The Philippines

There are several reasons that make the Philippines the ideal place for building your home. These are just some of them:

First, since the Philippines is an archipelago, one has more than seven thousand islands to choose where to build a house in. Various philippines homes are built on different terrains and reflect the nature of the location where they are built on. For example, homes near beaches and other bodies of water usually stand on stilts to compensate for the changing of tides, occasional typhoons, and sometimes even tsunamis. The Philippines provides a great variety of locations and conditions for the ideal home.

Secondly, since the Philippines is also surrounded by abundant natural resources, Philippines homes have evolved to make use of these resources. The fact that Philippine soil is rich and more than capable of supporting vegetation allows most homes to include a small patch of garden for planting crops, fruit trees, and ornamental herbs. On the other hand, Philippines homes that are situated near bodies of water usually feature a canal or channel to allow water and fishes to pass through. This provides residents access to water and fishes without disturbing the environment.

Third, Philippines is famous for the hospitality of its people. This is why Philippines homes are considered to be the warmest place for visitors. Building a home in the Philippines means living in a community where you will be truly welcome and accepted. The country and its people have a way of turning a house into a home.

Last, the country is a unique pot of colorful history and heritage. It has a rich culture that reflects a combination of hundreds of other individual cultures that have, throughout time, influenced and shaped the Filipinos. To build a home in the Philippines is to live and to experience this myriad of culture and rich heritage that you cannot find anywhere else in the world. From the influences of cultures in neighboring countries, to the influences of its former colonizers, the Philippines has developed a culture that shares some of the most unique characteristics of both the East and the West. For more information visit to our site at http://www.atayala.com

Visit New Zealand and Bring Home Unforgettable Memories

New Zealand is the perfect destination for those who enjoy traveling alone. The country is small enough to easily find your way around and lodging is affordable and the people welcoming and affable. Part of the fun of traveling is to plan your own schedule and travel preparations, decide for yourself where to go, when, and for how many days. New Zealand is about free choice and independence with its spectacular mountains and diverse scenery.

The main cities in New Zealand are Auckland and Christchurch, and Wellington the capital. Other cities of interest include Napier and Nelson, Tauranga and Rotorua. Queenstown ought to be a stopover in this captivating and exceptional country.

The landscape in New Zealand offers a wealth of natural delights with fiords and glaciers, mountains and rivers, striking beaches and lush forests and lakes.

Many travelers visit New Zealand for its range of exciting activities, you can easily find something much closer to home if it is a beach holiday you want, and here you will experience something truly unique. Water based activities can be experienced in the seas, on one of the numerous lakes or in a swiftly-flowing river, from surfing and deep sea diving to boogey boarding, kayaking, parasailing or fishing.

If it is the ultimate excitement you are after there are plenty of opportunities for white or black water rafting, jet boating or four wheel drive practice. The Bridge walk entails scaling the Auckland Harbour Bridge where some of the best views of Auckland can be seen, or head to the 192m Auckland Sky Tower and bungee jump off the top, plummeting at a speed of 75kph.

For those who like to stay on firm ground then a walk in the bush can offer some spectacular hiking trails or take off to the mountains for a hike, snowboarding or skiing. Whether you need a Sydney hotel with all possible amenities, cheap accommodation in Dunedin or budget hotels in Napier, have a look online for affordable rates.

Whale watching is possible in Kaikoura on the South Island. A leading centre for whale watching it is possible to view sperm whales here that can grow to more than 15m long. Orca Whales are also spotted between December to March, and humpback whales in June and July.

Penguins are an amusing species as they dive and swoop like other birds do in the air, whilst on land they waddle along upright. There are 3 three species of penguin around New Zealand, the Korora is the world’s smallest at only 25cm tall and can be seen at The Marlborough Sounds, Akaroa Harbour, Oamaru and Stewart Island. The rare hoiho, has a striking yellow eye band sweeping back from each yellow eye and can be spotted at the Otago Peninsula, and along the South Otago Coast. And the Fiordland crested penguin is one of the worlds rarest found in Fiordland and Stewart Island. Book your cheap hotels online NZ before you travel to avoid disappointment as you don’t want to miss these beautiful creatures.

New Zealand’s bird populace is worthy of note and certain to keep you busy with more than 80 kinds of seabird breeds found on the seashore, some only found within New Zealand whilst others migrate here from thousands of miles away. Uncommon national species can be seen at various locations including Tiritiri Matangi Island in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf, Motuara Island in the Marlborough Sounds, and Kapiti Island.

There is a broad range of lodging choices to suit your price range, from luxury to a shoestring budget. Finding cheap hotels in New Zealand around the country is an easy process and there are ample pickings for the free thinking traveler.
http://www.cheaperthanhotels.co.nz/New-Zealand/Dunedin/

The Drive Home

We ran into a traffic jam on the way home from our camping vacation… not fun… especially not fun when you have an infant in the car.

Yosemite home to a fascinating Jewish past … and present

Yosemite home to a fascinating Jewish past … and present
When many Jews think of the Gold Rush, one thing that often comes to mind is Levi Strauss and his watershed invention — blue jeans.

Read more on The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles

Monaco Goes Green Home & Away

Monaco has launched a radical transport plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

One of the first acts Prince Albert took when succeeding to the throne upon his father’s death in April 2005 was to sign the Kyoto Protocol.

Along with the USA and Australia, Monaco was one of the few countries not to sign up to the treaty intended to cut greenhouses gasses.

Included in Prince Albert’s campaign was an expedition to the Arctic to see for himself how global warming has begun to melt the glaciers, and shortly after his return he started a foundation to study rising sea levels and how to address what he sees as environmental challenges.

A Monaco travel guide notes that given the Principality’s position in the Mediterranean, concern at rising sea levels should come as no surprise.

‘There are plans at an advanced stage to build an island off Monte Carlo, which will change the map of Monaco, and the district of Fontvieille is largely reclaimed from the sea.’

The island is expected to be complete in ten years time, and will include the first new hotels in Monaco for some time.

Recently Prince Albert spent time with Britain’s fellow royal and campaigner for the environment Prince Charles.

‘Most notable of all’, comment YourMonaco, ‘Prince Albert chose a mansion in the Kalorama district of Washington D.C. to serve as Monaco’s U.S. Embassy – Monaco’s first independent embassy outside of Europe. Up to now it hasn’t been necessary for Monaco to have her own representation in the U.S. – France has always looked after Monaco’s interests. But it serves as a useful base for him to entertain politicans on Capitol Hill and get his environment message across. Expect to see more of Prince Albert in America in the coming months and years!’.

Transport System

With Prince Albert punching above Monaco’s weight abroad, he has been no less active at home to prove his green credentials, and a radical plan has been introduced to cut carbon emissions, and to reduce the number of cars on the streets of Monte Carlo.

The domestic campaign began with the Monaco Yacht Show 2005, held each September, with the event successfully becoming carbon neutral. To encourage the thousands who commute to Monaco every day from neighbouring France and Italy the railway station is one of the best in Europe, with frequent services.

‘For those who work in Monte Carlo and travel in from Nice and her surrounding villages five days a week, it’s both cheaper and quicker to take the train – the trains are modern and comfortable and it’s rare for seats not to be available even during the rush hour’, claim the guide. ‘Once in Monaco the local transport service is equally quick and efficient. Virtually all routes are well planned and easy to understand, and the most you have to wait for a bus is ten minutes, often it’s just a couple of minutes.’

The routes are planned to incorporate tourist needs, with most passing by the Hotel de Paris in Casino Square and the Columbus in Fontvieille, two of the best known and popular hotels in Monaco. Fares have been reduced to one Euro, making public transport in Monaco among the lowest priced, comfortable and frequent in Europe.

With the overall aim to increase bus usage by 20 per cent, the Principality is also funding five new trains with a thirty per cent increase in train services, and in an innovative attempt to persuade commuters to leave their cars at home will provide free electric cycles at car park schemes.

‘The one time of year you might see fast cars being encouraged is of course in May for the Monaco Grand Prix’, conclude the guide, ‘But overall it’s Prince Albert who will be able to claim the winners rostrum among European leaders for the environment’.

What happens in Las Vegas, sometimes makes it home!

Arriving at the Luxor, I am happy to encounter thousands it seems playing a myriad of games and enjoying a few adult beverages. After checking in, we hit the strip heading out to the MGM casino for a stop at the Rain Forest Cafe for a quick dinner and some drinks. Quickly, we were becoming enveloped in the the craziness of Vegas and begin to gamble a little here and there spending twenty dollar bills like there is no tomorrow.

Lights along the strip continue to percolate my heart and keep the night going full blast . A quick stop by the Bellagio for the watered light show is worthwhile as a romantic spot to say I Love You during the show. Next stop, amongst the throngs was Treasure Island battle and it was well worth the wait. Back down the strip we find hustlers of all sorts, attempting to hand out every leaflet imaginable. Late into the night we are still going strong.

The first morning: after a short walk over to the Mandalay Bay casino, we find the pool and with a quick twenty dollar tip we slip into the cool waters beneath the hundred degree heat at ten in the morning. Catching a few rays with the other sun worshipers seems to be the thing to do, although spending 10 bucks for a bottle was a little over the top. The experience was great which included just hanging onto the one that I love while floating around the river.

A quick trip down to the Hoover Damn aboard a chartered bus and we see all of man’s ingenuity and we marvel at the amount of people like us who just want to look over the damn and admire how bad it would hurt to die if you jumped off this crazy edifice to man’s intelligence. Heading back into town, we stop by the Fremont Street Experience and gamble a little more on our way back to the strip. Riding the roller coasters at the stop of the Stratosphere provide some real thrills.

Another stop to ride the roller coaster in New York New York proves to be yet another adrenaline rush.

On to the night, we attend Zumanity performance at New York New York. This version of Cirque du Soliel was very well done with all things erotic and no shame for sexuality. It was non-stop with exotic beauties and scantily clad trapeze girls who disrobe while spinning circles over and around us. The hostess was wild and mesmerizing with her eclectic makeup. Fishbowl girls found ways to swim that I never knew was possible. What a way to spend an evening!

A later night stopover at a buffet hit the spot to help us last late into the night.

Somehow we board the flight home with nearly the same amount of money that we started with, so sometimes What happens in Las Vegas, makes it home.