Flying With Kids
Taking a flight whilst accompanied by a toddler is quite hectic for both the inexperienced and regular travellers. Nothing comes close to the trauma experienced by parents subjected to awful frowns by fellow passengers, as a result of an upset kid. Nevertheless, there are some vital tips one can undertake and ultimately have a trouble-free journey with these little angels.
One of the least exploited but most recommended tips is to schedule flight times to coincide with the kid's nap time. This is a sure way of affording the travelling parent(s) enough rest period mid-flight. Never mind that the kid is still awake during takeoff. At some point, he will definitely yield to the ambient noise and lull into slumber land.
Another essential point is to carry along an extra set of clothes for both the mum and the young one. Kids tend to get restless especially when their diapers are dirty and wet. Toddlers are even more erratic and love crawling all over the place. That said,change of clothes may become necessary in the course of the flight. In addition,leaky baby diapers may occasionally mess up your wardrobe compelling you to change into fresh clothing.
For a more jumpy and hyper kid, a couple of books, crayons,stickers and snacks should certainly be brought along with your hand luggage. Toys are known to tame even the most fitful variety of kids. Don't forget to stack in a few of them as you pack.
Finally, it is important to acquire an age specific baby carrier with comfortable strapping before you embark on your journey. Given the hectic movements at the airport, a free pair of hands is undoubtedly more than welcome. If able to shell out some more dollars for a spare seat on the plane, please do not forget to carry the car seat.
Bon Voyage!
Destination Guide: Santa Cruz - Kids Special
One of the best things about Santa Cruz is its stunning coastal beauty and all the water activities that you can share with your kids. Here are 5 ideas for family fun in this beautiful Northern California city.
Club Ed Santa Cruz Surf School: Safety comes first when it's your kids. All the instructors here are lifeguards who are CPR and First Aid Certified. The founder, Ed Guzman, even headed the surfing program at the University of California at Santa Cruz, earning him the honorary title, “Professor of Surfing.” In addition to surf lessons, there are summer surf camps at Manresa Uplands State Park Campground, and Cabo Surf Camps for planning your family vacations.
Natural Bridges State Park: Kids will love learning about animals amidst the spectacular scenery. You can see migrating whales, seals, otters, and many kinds of birds from the beach. Then, explore the tide pools for ocean life like anemones and crabs. Of course, the yearly migration of monarch butterflies is also a must, usually from mid-October to late January. Plus, like the name says, there's the magnificent natural rock bridges created by water and wind erosion.
Venture Quest Kayaking: How about a unique way to explore the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary? Rent a kayak or take a guided tour. You might see whales, dolphins, and more.
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk: This classic seaside amusement park is admission-free. In addition to the world famous 1924 Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster, there are more than 40 rides and attractions including gentler rides for small children, the beautiful 1911 Looff Carousel, and indoor arcades.
Lighthouse Field State Beach: This is the home of the surfing hotspot Steamer Lane, as well as a surfing museum in the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse where kids can see a 100 years of history about the sport. The beach is also dog-friendly in case you want to bring your best friend along.
Enjoy Monterey Bay, and all the beauty and fun in Santa Cruz. Your whole family will love it.
Destination Review: Port Douglas
Port Douglas. The name doesn’t really conjure up anything special. Yet the area is magical offering the rare opportunity to experience a heritage listed rain forest meeting a heritage listed coral reef. Port Douglas sits on that border that lies between the Daintree National Park and the Great Barrier Reef National Park. And they are both spectacular in their own right.
If you are looking for a little adventure, then you’ve found the right place to start. Head west and north and travel through some amazing rain forest country. Keep going through the Daintree and you reach Cape Tribulation. Further north is Cook Town and for the really adventurous, Cape York, the northern most tip of Australia.
For those looking for a more sedate adventure, then head east, out into the sea and the Great Barrier Reef. There you will find brilliant coral, some amazing tropical islands, and fish that appear to be as timid as kittens. The water changes from a dark blue through to a tropical azure green. The water temperature is always warm – cold water, they have never heard of it.
Port Douglas Queensland
Port Douglas has had an interesting past. In 1911, it was all but wiped out with only two building left standing after a cyclone ravaged the area. In the mid eighties, the town was almost a ghost town before the notorious Christopher Skase developed what is now the world class Sheraton Mirage resort. Port Douglas was a holiday stopover for President Clinton while in office. He was also in Port Douglas when the news of the 9/11 attacks came through. For Australians, Port Douglas is famous for one not so popular occurrence, it was here, that the internationally renown Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin, lost his life after being stabbed in the heart by a sting ray.
When it comes to places to stay, Port Douglas has something to offer everyone. You have the opulence of five star accommodation (with price tags to match) or, for the budget conscious, back packer style accommodation in nearby beaches. There are also numerous family style holiday options including self catered apartments.
Four mile beach, just south of Port Douglas, is one of Queensland’s best beaches with warm water to swim in, soft sand to play in, and a wonderful view out over the ocean. If you are looking for a holiday destination that’s a little bit different, consider Port Douglas – it’s no longer a town that’s reserved for the rich and famous – it’s there for everyone.
Destination Review - The Red Center, Australia
Australia’s magnificent red center is dominated in tourism literature with Uluru (more commonly known as Ayers Rock) and at time, Alice Springs. Yet those two centers are really only the tip of the iceberg when it come scenic splendor. Author Nevil Shute published the novel, ”
Simpsons Gap in the West MacDonnell Ranges
If you’re looking for something completely different to do in the middle of Australia, I suggest a casual 17km bike ride along the Simpsons Gap Bicycle Path. This sealed path meanders through attractive bushland between Flynns Grave just outside Alice Springs to Simpsons Gap. The path meanders across the landscape and has generally easy grades. It’s a relaxing scenic ride that is suitable for visitors of all ages. Keep your eyes open because there’s plenty of flora and fauna to see. You may get lucky and see the rare black-footed wallaby, especially if you travel early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Allow 2.5 to 3 hours for a return trip and a rest break at Simpsons Gap.
Standley Chasm
Located 50 kilometers west of Alice Springs lies Standley Chasm. This unique geographical feature has been gouged into the tough sandstone by floods that have flowed down a narrow tributary of the Finke River. The end result is a deep red chasm that rises 80 metres above the floor.
To see the Chasm at its most dramatic, be sure to time your visit for an hour either side of noon on a nice sunny day. You will then witness the sheer walls glowing from reflected sunlight thus creating a breathtaking display of stark form and rich colour.
Ellery Creek Big Hole
Who would have expected to find, in the middle of a desert, a water hole that’s big enough to swim in. Surrounded by high red cliffs sits a large waterhole with a sandy creek fringed by gums making this one of the most popular and picturesque picnicking spots in the West MacDonnell Ranges.
Much more than just a popular place for the locals to take a refreshing dip, Ellery Creek Big Hole is also recognised as an internationally significant geological site. A three kilometre Dolomite walk provides an opportunity for visitors to explore some of the interesting formations. The West MacDonnell Ranges are the source of the water that has collected in a deep pool. Red River and Ghost Gums shelter the picnic area located nearby.
Destination Review - Delhi
There are two Delhis. No, not the old and the new. But The official, Capital-Of-India, Parliament-housing ‘Sarkaari’ Delhi on one hand and, on the other, the Delhi which has an urban culture of its own that can well rival Mumbai with its street-smartness, pace and metro-life quality. The vibrant Nightlife circuit only bears testimony to the latter. Yet it is not of the generic sort that you may encounter in any other city. It has as a character, a spirit that is very much its own!
Take the bar 'Pebble Street' at New Friend's Colony, for instance. You can dance, you can drink, there's fabulous music and the service is personalized like you may have never seen before. There is also 'Raasta'. It doesn't stand for'road'. It's meant to reference Rastafarianism but sadly there's hardly any reggae played here. Yet the music is always the sort that is the latest craze. There are some interesting eatables to go along with the drinks. The chilled out laid-backness here would instantly tell you why Delhi Nightlife is different from, let's say, Mumbai! And for those who are looking for some place that's really swanky, then there's always '1911' which is luxury bar at its best!
Delhi has plenty of options for people looking to let their hair down and dance the blues away. 'Urban Pind 'embodies synthesis of cultures just like its name. It's a hooqah bar cum DJ-ed disc. Too good to skip! There's also 'Shroom' which has got the edgiest dance music that , arguably, no other city's dance scene can boast of. It's also got some really trippy lights and well, the attention to detail in everything from the set to the audio quality is just commendable. It's not like you are going to be dancing while thinking of all of this but it is only when you come out do you realize how perfect the whole experience was.
And, well, for those who are looking at a night-life beyond and different from clubbing and chilling out at bars, the cultural circuit in Delhi has a reputation that it totally lives up to. The best of both classical international music and Hindustani sangeet can be enoyed at the Kamani Auditorium while the best of virtually every dance-form from kathak to kathakali and bharatnatyam to ballet are performed at the Sangeet Naatak academy.
Paranormal Tours ... Something Different?
The United States has significant locations reporting lively ghost sightings. However, Virginia is the smallest of the three and purports to host the largest population of poltergeists per square mile. Texas and Illinois are the other two states although sightings occur across all of the continental 48 states.
Meet and Greet the Ghosts
Most haunts are tourist attractions with guides to accompany visitors through the sites at appropriate times - mostly evening or overnight hours. Tourists cannot access any sites without a guide. Virginia’s ghosts are active during evening hours at the following locations:
1. Stafford, Virginia is unique because the haunts are churches, especially the Aquia Church. Rumor has it that this is the most popular ghostly haunt in all of Virginia. The church and its graveyard report active paranormal sightings stretching over the past 200 years. Graveyard tombstones date back to 1738.
2. The Battle at Leesburg took place in October of 1861. Ball’s Bluff is notorious for ghostly activity by the spirits of those fighters who died at this location.
3. John Hartwell Cocke was a brigadier general in the War of 1812. He was also the builder of note for a plantation estate and home at Bremo Recess. The ghost of Anne Blaws Barraud Cocke reportedly haunts this house in Bremo Bluff, Virginia.
4. Eleven ghosts haunt the Ferry Plantation House in Virginia Beach, Virginia, a colonial plantation era structure. The poltergeist population includes some people who died in an 1810 shipwreck at this ferry landing. The spirit of a former slave, Henry by name, still considers the Ferry Plantation House as his home.
Sally Rebecca Walke eternally mourns the loss of her lover and the Lady in White, who broke her neck when she fell down the stairs, still live here as spirit residents. A former resident and artist, Thomas Williamson, continues to live in spirit at the Ferry Plantation House.
5. Many reports of paranormal activity are on the record for Manassas National Battlefield Park. The Battlefield contains a railroad, built by order of Robert E. Lee during the Civil War, which remains unfinished. This is a hot spot for paranormal sightings.
6. Thomas Jefferson made Monticello his home in Charlottesville, Virginia. Employees often hear him whistling on the grounds of his estate as he did while alive. A 10-year-old boy appears in a second floor window wearing a uniform with tri-corner hat. This apparition is on the record.
7. A mansion built in 1725, The Rosewell Plantation, reports numerous incidents of paranormal activity. The location is within Gloucester County, Virginia.
8. Another old building in Charlottesville, Virginia, was a civil war hospital and is only two miles from the Monticello. It is now the Tandem Friends School. Numerous reports are on file that the ghost of a confederate soldier walks the upstairs hallway.
Avoid Getting Lost in Virginia
All locations are close together and Charlottesville seems to be the place to begin an adventure into the paranormal world within the state of Virginia. Seek out a specialty tour company and join the group in order to gain from historical insights of their guides. For current information, contact the Virginia Board of Tourism from their website.
Destination Review - The Sunshine Coast
If you are looking for a seaside holiday that has that yesteryear charm but with all the modern amenities, then Peregian Beach is well worth considering. On the northern side of the Sunshine Coast, Peregian Beach Queensland is just a short drive from the ever popular Noosa Heads. The drive is spectacular with fabulous views of the Pacific Ocean and features quiet secluded beaches such as Castaways and Marcus Beach.
Peregian Beach
Peregian Beach itself is one of those rare beaches that offers plenty for the casual bather, yet decent waves for the ardent surfer. The beaches along this section of coast are patrolled by surf life savers and if swimmers follow the rules, quite safe for all levels of swimmers. The sand is clean and soft underfoot, perfect for a little sunbathing, or perhaps just relaxing and watching the world go by.
Peregian Beach Markets
If you are looking for fine dining and fabulous shopping, then head back to Hastings Street in Noosa. Peregian is not about fine cuisine or boutiques, it’s more about relaxation, healthy minds and healthy bodies. That doesn’t mean you won't find good food, you will, but not in great abundance. Peregian does have a reputation for alternative medicines, particularly holistic approaches to health. Like all quaint little villages, Peregian does have its ’boutique’ boutiques but like the restaurants, they are not in abundance.
On the northern side of the Sunshine Coast, Peregian Beach Queensland is just a short drive from the ever popular Noosa Heads. The drive is spectacular with fabulous views of the Pacific Ocean and features quiet secluded beaches such as Castaways and Marcus Beach.
The beaches along this section of coast are also patrolled by surf life savers and if swimmers follow the rules, quite safe for all levels of swimmers.
Why Visit And Stay In North East Tasmania?
Thinking of the next spot to tour and spend your glorious vacation? Then place Northeast Tasmania high on your list. Entering the region is somewhat like passing through a quiet, relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere.Go to see the beautiful and rustic farms which are sure relaxing treats for visitors as they enter Northeast Tasmania. The villages by the sea are also wonders to behold as each have their own way of welcoming travelers who wish to spend quiet walk on the beach and even go on fishing in the clear waters of abundant marine life.
Recreational Activities To Experience and Enjoy
Journey in North Tasmania lets one experience relaxing views in vineyards, interesting forests, and towns that showcase a mining town with unique history. On the some sections of the place, tourists can relax in wonderful beaches where scuba-diving, snorkeling, swimming, and fishing become your choices of fun activities. Here are the samples of the recreational activities anyone would wish to experience
Take Road Trip from the East. Many tourists take the time to go through the North East Trail. There is so much to see. Travelers can stop and take some time to smell the roses. The famous lavender gardens are also nearby. The wine, cheese, and the forest, plus the sea air add up to the unique traveling experience in North East trail.
Go on Fishing Games
There are so many fishing activities going on in Tasmania. Visit St. Helens and its quiet atmosphere fit for a relaxing fishing spree. This seaside village in Northeast Tasmania offers several venues for fishing games. Tourists and locals love fresh tuna and marlins for dinner which are quite abundant in the area.
The Beach Tour. Located just a few blocks away from one of Australia’s great marine sanctuary and wildlife parks, so many beaches are found where one can truly spend and relax with their whole family. A leisurely walk down the St. Helen’s Point to see Peron Dunes and enjoy the beauty of the beach is among the things you can do.
Traveling and vacationing in Northeast Tasmania is one thing anyone should never ever miss. The fact that there so many great places to visit are already a big plus to those who wish to have a break from the fast and noisy urban veneer.
Destination Review - Adaminaby
Located in New South Wales Australia, and nestled in the Snowy Mountains is the pretty little village of Adaminaby. This little town may only have less than 300 residents, but it is an important service town for those looking for adventure. Adaminaby has had a disturbed past, having been relocated when the old township was completely immersed when Lake Eucumbene was created. A small part of the old town remains on the lakes edge, about seven kilometers from the current township. The old part is appropriately named Old Adaminaby.
You will find Adaminaby just south of the nation’s capital, Canberra and about 40 minutes west of Cooma, the nearest large town. You will know you have arrived in Adaminaby when you come across the ‘Big Trout’, a monument to the areas famous and popular sport of trout fishing. Adaminaby itself is over 1000 meters above sea level and frequently receives light snow falls in winter.
Adaminaby is a small service center, but it services visitors who come to the area for a wide range of activities. The snow fields of the Snowy Mountains can be accessed from Adaminaby as can Lake Eucumbene for those looking to experience trout fishing at its best. However, there is more to this area than snow fields and trout fishing. The area is famous for fruits, particularly berries that like cool conditions. Rather than farming sheep and cattle, farmers in this area have turned to more exotic animals such as fine wool goats and Llamas.
A small part of the old town remains on the lakes edge, about seven kilometers from the current township. The old part is appropriately named Old Adaminaby.
You need to know that you will know you have arrived in Adaminaby when you come across the ‘Big Trout’, a monument to the areas famous and popular sport of trout fishing.
Surviving Long Haul Flights
Long haul flights are rough. They’re a virtual lottery in the sky and you’re not the one who rolls the dice. You won’t know until you’re there who your neighbours on the flight will be, but you can prepare yourself in other ways and here are our tips for surviving hours upon hours in the sky.
Maximise comfort by making sure that you’re dressed in something you know won’t irritate you. If you’re not into casual wear, bring something more comfortable to change into on the plane. Make it something breathable, stretchable and that you can sleep in if you want to.
Keep yourself entertained in whatever way you know will work best. Lots of people like watching films or television shows, others prefer to read while you may be more suited to working or getting creative with a personal project. (We use the time to write and edit video footage)
Break the flight up, this helps with boredom, productivity and keeping your mind off how much longer there is to go. Divide the flight into two or three hour blocks, and let your mind tick each off as they pass. This is also a good way to allocate time to different activities. Say you’ll do something for the first two hours and then switch to something else. This is a great way of getting sleep to, and making sure that you’re doing activities that will either keep you awake when you should be, or wind your brain down when you need to rest.
What are your survival techniques for long flights?