Beach Butter

Archive for April, 2011

We have just returned this afternoon from spending a couple of nights of our African Safari on the Ichobezi Safariboat on the Chobe River.

First off I must say that I was totally horrified at the amount of river traffic and lodges I saw between Kasane and the Chobe NP, not to mention the hoardes of people . The last time I did this stretch of River was back in 1997 and it was still very remote and peacefull but today it is just a nightmare for guests looking for a unique African expedition , especially if you have just come from the Okavango Delta and Savuti/Linyanti areas. Besides all the little boats (if I may say) buzzing up and down I do beleive according to the locals that there can be up to 80 vehicles at a time on games drives in the Chobe NP now. Hence the reason why I was invited to experience the Ichobezi Safariboat.

The Ichobezi House Boat is part of the Ichingo Chobe River Lodge which is situated opposite Kasane on Impalila Island in a quiet part of the Chobe River rapids which no other lodge has access to. One must however bear in mind that there is very little wildlife on this island, however it is a unique place in its own right.

Upon arrival at Inchingo where the Ichobezi is berthed wel cleared immigration and then boarded the boat for a roughly 2 hour cruise through the buzzing mayhem to Elephant Bay which is the first stop for the night. Now, it is not such a bad cruise as besides all the game viewing along the way you have all the other guests in the little buzzers coming close to take photographs of this magnificent boat. You truly do feel special, like driving the latest Rolls Royce down 5th Ave NY (for lack of a better word as I am an African). Anyway you finally reach Elephant Bay and the boat docks on an island in the middle of the Chobe and you settle in for the rest of the day and night. By this time you don’t mind the little buzzers as they have made you feel like royalty. You are now docked in the Chobe NP and the little buzzers now have to go back to their respective lodges and suddenly here you are all on your own in paradise with Elephants, hippo, fish Eagles, and so much more. The silence engulfs you and almost instantaneously the call of the Fish Eagle, the snort of the Hippo kicks you right into Africa, your Africa, and then your journey begins.

We opted to go Tiger fishing as I do beleive this is a very exciting part of experiencing an African River although I know that not all folks  will do this but it is an experience that one should at least try. One has two options using the tenders, which you will see in the video and that is game viewing along the river or fishing and from many past experiences I always choose to fish as I get the best of both. I caught a small Tiger which I put back .

Let me describe the boat now.
The Ichobezi can sleep a maximun of 8 guests in 4 bedrooms, I call them bedrooms because they are not cabins. They are extremely comfortable each with en-suite facilities, spacious cubhoards, 220 and 12V electricity which will accommodate all shavers and hair dryers and large windows which allow you a fantastic low level view along the river. The first morning I was awoken by the sounds of a hippo right next to the boat frolicking around and I jumped out of bed grabbed the video camera but by the time I filmed he was gone but on the video you will see what I am trying to say. This to me was pure heaven, a totally stunning experience, I really was part of the Chobe River system. Lying in bed and looking out at 05h30 in the morning and seeing life from a completely different view totally blew me away. I had no desire to jump in a landrover, as most of you know how much I love leopards and lions , and chase around looking for the Big Five, I had peace and tranquility lapping at my bedroom window. What a feeling to be on an African Safari on the Chobe River!

Do you remember the last time you went on a journey by train? If it was a long time ago then you may be missing out on quite a bit. For most of us, travelling by train is something that we quite often forget about even though the majority of people love this form of transport. For most of us, the easiest thing to do is to use our cars for every journey and this causes us to forget that there is a more leisurely way to travel . It is only when we experience the train once again that we can appreciate just how nice this form of travel actually is.

We really are fortunate in the UK that we have such a lot of choice when it comes to train travel. We can take a train journey setting off from our local station and then find ourselves on the other side of the world a few days later after taking a number of different trains along the way. Because we are now connected to mainland Europe by way of the Chunnel, we have access to most of the rest of the world by train too. You will now hear of people making trips from London all the way to Singapore; travelling on such well known railways as the Trans-Siberian Express and the Orient Express. If you have a bit of time to travel you might be surprised at just how cheap this travel option works out at; you also get to see a whole lot more than you would in a plane.

But don’t feel that you need to take quite such a long trip to be able to fully appreciate train travel again. Just take a short trip from one town to the next by train instead of taking the car. You won’t have to worry about looking for a parking space after you have sat for ages in traffic on the way to your destination; travelling by train means you can sit back and relax on the journey. Trains are such a great way to travel and for those who have not been on a train for a while, this is definitely something worth doing.

City breaks Europe style are extremely popular today. France hotels are top-notch when it comes to thinking about city breaks in Europe. A lot of these are pet friendly hotels as well. In today’s faltering economy, nothing beats a short city break.

There’s no harm in being a little premature about booking your next holiday this gives reason since iv’e been booking my since the last one ended. We’re in the second week of January and my patience is wearing thin! The UK’s climate is miserable, there’s constant rain and the dark rain clouds dampen the nation’s mood.

If you haven’t even thought about booking your summer holiday you should probably start as the task can be quite demoralising, I know what it’s like to spend the evenings flicking through holiday brochures comparing hotels and prices, it’s just tiring and worth so much Hassel just to book something which should ultimately be enjoyable, I’ve taken the sting out of the entire process and have listed a few of my favourite places in the world.

My Favourite Holiday destinations include:.

(Before I start rambling may I include that I dislike the European region as i feel it’s westernized for my liking)

The Caribbean – the paradise of the world! if you haven’t been fortunate enough to have been on Caribbean Holidays you should know the beaches do actually like those you see on the front of post cards and swimming in the sea is just like taking a warm bath (but with a little salt). The region is like no other and is highly recommended to those who haven’t been as you will be utterly gobsmacked! the country’s which make up the Caribbean can be very diverse so make sure you do some research before you book.

South-East Asia: particularly the country of Vietnam is among my favourite holiday destinations! The regions tropical climate is near the same as the Caribbean which is an added bonus if you ask me! I highly recommend south east Asia over the Caribbean region due to its rich cultured resources which the Caribbean sometimes lacks. Vietnam holidays and Sri Lanka Holidays are ideal for those who wish to experience a cultured twist to fantastic beach holiday.

If you plan on taking some long flights then you may be slightly dreading it. But there are numerous things that you can do to get the most out of this trip and to make it more enjoyable. We will examine a few tips here that will hopefully help.

- Make sure you don’t put too much in your hand luggage especially things you are not going to be using. A lot of people put too much in this bag and spend their time in the airport struggling to carry it. When you are travelling with children then it you will normally have a lot of things but otherwise you really don’t need it. Struggling with a heavy bag just puts you in a grumpy mood and this is the wrong mental attitude to start off a flight. Put as much as possible into your stored luggage and use the time in departures to relax.

- A good book is always worth purchasing in the airport. It really is nice to take the time in the airport to do these things instead of just packing one with you. It might have something to do with you never knowing what kind of book you will want to read until you are actually there at the time. Some people bring a few books with them in their hand luggage and still don’t have anything they feel like reading.

- A good neck pillow is worth buying. These really can be a great help and help you sleep for a few hours on the trip.

- You should try to wear layers of clothing so that during the flight you can slip them on and off as your temperature changes. Many of us spend a lot of these journeys either feeling uncomfortably hot or too cold.

- Stretch your legs on the plane and get up and walk around when it is appropriate. Sitting in the same position on a plane for long periods of time can be extremely uncomfortable and can cause problems such as DVT to develop.

Probably one of the best known names in business is virgin mobile. And this huge company was established by none other than branson. Another arm of the business is virgin america.

Follow the ancient Aborigine footsteps on your Australia holidays which spans back over 50,000 years. The aboriginal way has been passed down through hundreds of generations via the median of dance, music, hunting and crafting.

See aboriginal contemporary Art and Dance in large towns and cities or take the courageous journey into the outback and experience life as true Aborigine. Craft spears to catch you meal or alternatively opt for the local delicacy “bush tucker”, spend the evenings in the wilderness performing tribal dances to the beat of ancient percussion , humbly warmed by a camp fire then finally settle down to slumber under the bright Australian stars.

Australia tours to Native places

Uluru-Kata Tjuta – the Aboriginals prised this dome shaped rock as “Australia’s heart” due to its uncanny location in the exact centre of the islanded country. The red rock is gigantic and takes over an hour to walk around the entire base, unless you’d like to climb it which is near impossible unequipped.

Dainetree you could take a Rain forest aboriginal tour through a rainforest which is older than time itself yet again fend for yourself by fishing for your supper using traditional hunting methods or indulge in the hundreds of bush tucker treats which surround you..

Take Caution! There are large insects, creepy crawlies, snakes and sometimes crocodiles

If you’d prefer to stay in the comforts of the city? if you’d rather not leave the comforts of the city and hotels! Enquire about the cruise package because you may prefer to go on! why not do some research about the aboriginal cruises and see include a wildlife section in their tour other look into Australia cruises which are specific to the oceanic wildlife.

In the outdated days, watching an Arja overall performance wanted a entire lot of stamina. The play lasted right up until extended right after midnight, typically till the beginning morning. The play flows from one scene to a various with the candy sound of singing by the dancers. That dancing drama is possible one of the a lot creative executing arts Bali possess produced. Arja performs Balinese folklore also to tales of Javanese princes and princesses known as Malat or Panji. That dance drama kind is a immediate by-product of the older Gambuh play. Gambuh dancers used articulated voice of words, while Arja dancers are singing and conversing. It act of singing is commonly settled whereas dance Ref: Bali Villas  or performing a function of a play. Just before the dancer seem, he or she will sing and shake the curtain for rather some time, apparently to check the persistence of the audience. The audio for Arja is named Guntang or Geguntangan, a assortment of straightforward percussion instruments product of bamboo bed sheets and bronze, additional to which is little drums. The auditory of the units is crystal clear but normally tranquil and meditative. Ref: Villas in Bali

In the seventies Arja declined in popularity, largely because of the increasing reputation of diverse dance-drama kinds prefer Sendratari and Drama Gong, the new dancing dramas with Gong kebyar audio.

Now we will see Arja presentations typically inside of the festivals and on commissions by Balinese, for rituals and unique purposes, or by tourists. Like many of the details on Bali, Arja is additionally experiencing new supremacy and creativity. Beside many plays made as of late, the lots of of many years outdated all male Arja can be revived. Ref: Bali Luxury Villas

Candles are blocks of wax, usually paraffin, with strips of wicks melted into them. They come in a number of numerous sizes, hues, shapes, and scents. And ever since their creation in the year two hundred BC, all sorts of candles have been serving a wide array of purposes from celebrations to preserving electricity at night. Just be positive to place them in special votives and holders and to never leave them lit unattended to stop accidents and devastating house fires.

Their ability to set moods are the very first of wax candle’s numerous various uses. Candlelight creates a personal and dim environment that is just perfect for private dinners and romantic evenings. Some extended candlesticks positioned along the dinner table will make for inviting and warm family members dinners at the same time.

These items are also excellent at spreading appealing aromas throughout an area. To cover up less desirable smells for instance dirty laundry or trash cans, place a scent masking candle nearby. Others are able to fill medium sized rooms and spaces with the enticing scent of your choice. You can find hundreds of fragrances to choose from, like lilac and autumn leaves.

Other tapers are also important in numerous sorts of religious ceremonies. Specific weddings, baptisms, and funerals all utilize them during the events. In Catholicism, they are lit before and soon after services in order to say a prayer.

During the event of an emergency where power is lost like blackouts or floods, tapers are normally lifesavers. They can readily be lit with dry matches, unlike flashlights and lighters, that could become unusable when wet or damaged. They’re also very easily transportable, just be confident to use a holder or votive to protect your hand from hot wax.

Candles also arrive in handy at night when you are trying to save precious energy. Studying or working by candlelight is an superb alternative to lamps and other electricity draining lights. Producing a habit of not turning on the light switches in your house right after a specific time will save you a great deal of money on your next electric bill. Just be certain that to light enough of them so that you can avoid straining your eyes too much.

Wax torches infused with citronella are terrific when it comes to keeping bugs like mosquitoes away. Strategically placed on a picnic table or patio, these items are ordinarily incredibly successful at creating sure your outdoor party or BBQ remains bug totally free. A citronella infused candle would also be a excellent accessory on a camping trip as well. They’ll permit you to appreciate the amazing outdoors with no suffering from itchy and painful mosquito bites.

Finally, no birthday party is complete with no a candle. In nearly each culture, a candle covered birthday cake or other tasty dessert is constantly a staple. They are stuck on top in numbers referring to the birthday boy or girl’s age and blown out typically all at once. As kids, we were quite often told that triumphantly blowing out every birthday cake candle would end up during the wish of our choosing coming true.

A smart place to look for environmentally friendly candles is zionsvillecandlecompany.com

If you are searching for a homey atmosphere in the rented house to pay out up coming visit to Istanbul; Apartments Istanbul are great choices. They feature a home away from home ambiance and also you get most of the comforts of precisely what a home could bring. As compared to the hotels, these apartments definitely provide spacious rooms and excellent facilities but of affordable price ranges.

They say that hotels will be more convenient but nothing can beat the particular proposed by rented apartment, like Istanbul apartments short stay. These homes are usually fully-furnished and you don’t have to worry of what appliances to create as these are provided in the rented abode. These consist of well-equipped and spacious kitchens in which youcan easily do your own cooking. Your children can start to play their games, toys, unlimited Internet access as well as play their most favorite sports in a choice of the playground or the gym. Talking about convenience, all that you should do would be to clean up your things and go.

Regardless of what your decision is, whether within the hinterlands or even in the center of the city; rented apartments are for sale for long-term or even short stay visits. And the a valuable thing is, they are not only for guests and visitors on holiday but can be acquired for anyone on business purposes too. These include available all year round, and are also an ideal places to keep when on vacation and kids won’t find yourself getting bored if you prefer them as accommodation in Istanbul.

Have no fear when many people will say that apartment rentals are dirty and old. There’s no truth to this as most rented apartments they are under the management of the government housing therefore stick to their standards of neat and clean rented houses. Besides, there is a desire for them to update their facilities and equipments together with beautify the apartments to make them spotlessly clean to look at. For this reason, you’re able to enjoy your trip without anxiety about unclean environment or damaged houses.

There are lots of alternatives for the apartment rental that you desire to live when on vacation in Istanbul. Residing in one of these simple apartments is best while using fun and enjoying your stay in this city. Whether alone, with friends or with the whole family, staying in an Istanbul apartment could be the most enjoyable and relaxing because of the cheap prices with ample and huge space for everyone to become more comfortable with.

Positioned amongst the rice fields close to the heart of Seminyak, Villa Bulan is a hidden treasure providing total consolation plus peace and tranquility in the course of this busy area. Villa Bulan is lower than ten minutes driving to Seminyak seaside and also shut plus a huge variety of boutique galleries, positive restaurants, fashionable cafes and all types of bars and nightclubs.

Villa Bulan was designed and built by Dutch architect Conchita who additionally constructed the Bodyworks Spa, also positioned in Seminyak.

For these doing enterprise here in Bali there are many export manufacturers, cargo firms and communications companies inside simple walking distance. That is the guts of Bali’s premier cosmopolitan holiday resort, Seminyak provides every thing you could enjoy a trip or a business stay in Bali.

Villa Bulan Lodging

Villa Bulan affords two distinctive luxury villas for personal trip leases or longer term rental. Villa Bulan can be rented separately or together. Absolutely staffed and serviced, these villas offer a haven of peace and tranquility.

Villa Bulan Purnama

Villa Bulan Purnama or Full Moon Villa is the larger of the 2 and may comfortably accommodate six company in three large and absolutely air conditioned bedrooms. Villa Bulan additionally offers two spacious bathrooms, a completely geared up modern kitchen, a proper eating space, a calming open air lounge area plus a personal courtyard or patio for outdoor dining.

Villa Bulan Sabit

Villa Bulan Sabit or The Crescent Moon villa can accommodate four guests in two medium sized and absolutely air conditioned bedrooms. Villa Bulan additionally gives a compact and absolutely geared up kitchen, a dining area, a romantic lavatory, a comfortable open lounge and a personal al fresco terrace for relaxation.

The Design & Structure

Villa Bulan has been featured in numerous design magazines world-wide from Italy El Deco to Figaro of Japan. Exuding a unique mix of ethnically inspired structure and exquisite attention to detail the round villas with interconnected spaces make full use of local materials.

Textures of stone and iron-wood blend with the pastel colours of the polished terrazzo flooring to create an environment of peaceful luxury.

Ground

Masking an space of 1600sqm the superbly landscaped and maintained tropical gardens surround and separate the two villas into intimate, personal spaces.

Beautifully maintained, the 12m by 5m, patchwork motif swimming pool provides escape from the warmth of the day.

Villa Bulan Employees & Providers

The workers at Villa Bulan Seminyak are totally committed to creating their friends stay as snug and pleasurable as possible. Villa Bulan are staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days every week, uniformed maids out there day by day from 7am until 9pm and a safety guard on responsibility from 7pm until 7am. A full time gardener keeps the grounds and pool immaculate.

Stand-by cook is not available. The housemaids will help you to do grocery procuring service, and put together your breakfast. For lunch or dinner you have to to hire a cook. This can be discussed upon arrival with our staff. Source: Bali Villas

The Caribbean is the only region in the world which produces large quantities of rum, Rum has been associated with sailors since the 18^th Century who explored the tropical region searching for new lands and exporting slaves from their rum has travelled with the sailors and reached every corner of the world and today is still a popular drink. Rum is made from sugar cane residue and which is then fermented to form an alcoholic substance, White and Brown Sugar produces different sorts of rum, White sugar cane produces white rum such as Bacardi whilst dark sugar cane produces a stronger tasting rum such as Havana club, Rum is drunk in several ways mainly with a soft drink and fresh lime, spices are also infused in beverage to take the bitter edge off of the taste.

Sugar cane grows freely around the Caribbean countries, you very likely to see sugar canes on Antigua Holidays or Dominican Republic Holidays as the soils are rich and full of nutrients, the sun is forever gleaming and the tropical rains drench the land which is perfect for any species of plant to flourish.

The English found out that taste of rum tastes much better when it was left to mature in a wooden barrel during the long voyages just like its other alcoholic counterpart whiskey, till this day rum is left to mature in wooden barrels as the oaky taste takes the bitter edge off of the drink.

In England you will often see many major rum brands such as Bacardi or Captain Morgan spiced, these are mostly distilled with modern techniques and ingredients to preserve it but when you’re in the Caribbean you’re more likely to come across Appleton’s rum which is the biggest brand in the Caribbean the taste’s are quite different as the Caribbean rum is much sweet rather than it’s bitterforeign versions Cuba Holidays expect to see Havana club brand as it’s the national drinking spirit and is popular worldwide.