Phuket is Thailand’s largest island, and is approximately the size of Singapore. Phuket nestles in balmy Andaman Sea waters on Thailand’s Indian Ocean coast-line 867 kilometers south of Bangkok.

Phuket is an island connected by bridges to southern Thailand’s Andaman Sea coast, in the Indian Ocean, lying between 7′ 45 and 8′ 15 north latitude, and from 98′ 15 to 98′ 40 west longitude on the map. Thailand’s largest island, Phuket is surrounded by 32 smaller islands that form part of the same administration, with a total area of 570 square kilometers. Measured at its widest point, Phuket is 21.3 kilometers; at its longest, 48.7 kilometers. It is bounded thus:

About 70 percent of Phuket is mountainous; a western range runs from north to south from which smaller branches derive. The highest peak is Mai Tao Sip Song, or Twelve Canes, at 529 meters, which lies within the boundaries of Tambon Patong, Kathu District (no roads go there yet). The remaining 30 percent of the island, mainly in the center and south, is formed by low plains. Streams include the Klong Bang Yai, Klong Ta Jin, Klong Ta Rua, and Klong Bang Rohng, none of which is large.

History of Phuket

Phuket Island has a long recorded history, and remanins dating back to A.D.1025 indicate that the island’s present day name derives in meaning from the Tamil manikram, or crystal mountain. For most of history, however, it was known as Junk Ceylon, which, with variations, is the name found on old maps. The name is thought to have its roots in Ptolemy’s Geographia, written by the Alexadrian geographer in the Third Century A.D. He mentioned that in making a trip from Suwannapum to the Malay Peninsula it was necessary to pass the cape of Jang Si Lang.

Phuket was a way station on the route between India and China where seafarers stopped to shelter. The island appears to have been part of the Shivite empire (called in Thai the Tam Porn Ling) that established itself on the Malay Peninsula during the first Millenium A.D. Later, as Muang Takua-Talang, it was part of the Srivichai and Siri Tahm empires. Governed as the eleventh in a constellation of twelve cities, Phuket’s emblem, by which it was known to others in those largely pre-literate times, was the dog.

During the Sukothai Period Phuket was associated with Takua Pah in what is now Phang-nga Province, another area with vast tin reserves. The Dutch established a trading post during the Ayuthaya Period in the 16th Cent. The island’s northern and central regions then were governed by the Thais, and the southern and western parts were given over to the tin trade, a concession in the hands of foreigners.

After Ayuthaya was sacked by the Burmese in 1767 there was a short interregnum in Thailand, ended by King Taksin, who drove out the Burmese and re-unified the country. The Burmese, however, were anxious to return to the offensive. They outfitted a fleet to raid the southern provinces, and carry off the populations to slavery in Burma. This led to Phuket’s most memorable historic event. A passing sea captain, Francis Light, sent word that the Burmese were en route to attack. Forces in Phuket were assembled led by the two heroines, Kunying Jan, wife of Phuket’s recently deceased governor, and her sister Mook. After a month’s siege the Burmese were forced to depart on 13 March, 1785. Kunying Jan and her sister were credited with the successful defense.

In recognition King Rama I bestowed upon Kunying Jan the honorific Thao Thep Kasatri, a title of nobility usually reserved for royalty, by which she is known today. Her sister became Thao Sri Suntorn.

During the Nineteenth Century Chinese immigrants arrived in such numbers to work the tin mines that the ethnic character of the island’s interior became predominantly Chinese, while the coastal settlements remained populated chiefly by Muslim fishermen.

In Rama V’s reign, Phuket became the administration center of a group of tin mining provinces called Monton Phuket, and in 1933 with the change in government from absolute monarchy to a parliamentary system, the island was established as a province by itself.

Boundaries

On the North Is the Pak Prah Strait, spanned by two bridges running side-by-side, the older Sarasin Bridge, and the newer Thao Thep Krasatri Bridge. On the South Is the Andaman Sea. On the East Is Ao Phang-nga Bay (In the Jurisdiction mainly of Phang-nga Province). On the West Is the Andaman Sea.

Climate

Phuket’s weather conditions are dominated by monsoon winds that blow year round. It is therefore always and humid. There are two distinct seasons, rainy and dry. The rainy season begins in May and lasts till October, during which the monsoon blows from the southwest. The dry season is from November through April, when the monsoon comes from the northeast. Highest average temperatures, at 33.4 degrees Celsius, prevail during March. Lowest averages occur in January, when nightly lows dip to 22 degrees Celsius.

Transportation

By Car

Take Route 4 from Bangkok south. Along the way pass the provinces of Nakorn Pathom, Ratchburi, Petchburi, Prajuab-Kirikan, and at Chumporn go right to Ranong, From Ranong, go south through Kraburi and Kah-Perr districts to Phang-nga Province. In Phang-nga the road passes through Kuraburi, Takua Pa, and Takua Tung districts before reaching the town of Kok Kloy, just beyond which is the Tao Thep Krasatri Bridge and Phuket. Distance is 867 kilometers.

Both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned buses leave the Southern Bus Terminal in Bangkok daily. For details call the individual bus companies: Borisat Kohn Sohng Jumkat Phuket Transport Co, Ltd., in Bangkok tel. (02) 4351200, or in Phuket (076) 211480

By Air

Details about flights to and from Phuket International Airport can be obtained from Thai Airway, in Bangkok Tel. (02) 2800070,2800080, or in Phuket (076) 211195, 212499, 212946 or from travel agents around the world. There are also many regular and chartered flights from other airlines.

By Sea

The Deep Sea Port (Port of Phuket) at Phuket is visited by both cargo and cruise ship from Thailand and from abroad. Contact your travel agent for information about the may different ships that stop at Phuket.

More detail

http://www.gosouththai.com/phuket/e-index.asp

Chan Phoondee

Web Director

http://www.GoSouthThai.com

It can be very enjoyable to go traveling both in country and abroad but you should be alert for possible cons while traveling on vacation. There are many types of cons to be on the lookout for and you can never know what direction they are going to come from.

Con Artists are very clever and one of their prime targets is the uninformed traveler. When you visit someplace you have never been to before take the time to research and learn a little bit about the place you are headed. You can easily find information on town and city layouts, crime rates and the types of restaurants and services available online or by making a few well placed phone calls. A Con Artist may offer to help you find information on places or help to secure you a hotel reservation or place to stay at a much cheaper cost, but will really take your money and leave you lost and confused. There are some people who actually supply these services to travelers but their methods may be under the table, quasi illegal or down right against the law. You could get in trouble if they are caught or you may even be tricked by undercover police officers pretending to offer such services.

You can take some simple steps avoid being taken by a con artist. Travel in groups or with another person. There is safety in numbers and con artists are less likely to go after a herd of tourists. If someone does approach your or your fellow travelers tell them ?no thanks,? in a firm tone of voice. If they persist and even begin to follow you remain firm, threaten to call the authorities. If you?ve done your research you should have seen at least a few photos of the type of clothing people wear in the place you are about to visit. Take note of this when packing. For example the French, especially Parisians wear dark and muted colors and they only smile at people they know, friends and family. If you take clothing that is similar to the style and do your best to adopt the social attitude of those you are traveling among you are less likely to stand out as a tourist. There may not be much you can do about the language barrier, but from a distance you won?t look as much a foreigner and therefore an easy mark.

Gail Leino is known throughout the internet world as Mrs. Party. She has become the internet’s leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies with clever themes. Her simple party planning approach demostrates how to use proper manners while teaching etiquette with organizational skills. She shares lots of interesting fun facts. See travel vacations for information on exotic destinations.

Mexico is a huge country with interesting locales. Tourists to Mexico will not get bored as the country has a lot to offer in terms of tourism, which in fact is a very large industry. Major tourist attractions in Mexico range from the ancient Meso-American ruins to the attractive beach resorts. What attracts tourists to Mexico is its climate and unique culture.

Crowds flock to Mexico during mid-summer and December considered peak months for tourists. Sun bathers are frequent visitors to Mexico harbor coastlines where there are numerous stretches of beaches. The most popular beach destination is on the Yucatan peninsula. Located here is the resort town of Cancun, very famous amongst university students during spring recess. Be sure not to miss out the historic port of Tulum on a day tour of the south of Cancun. Apart from the beaches in Tulum, you can also visit the cliff-side Mayan ruins. Isla Mujeres and Isla Holbox are beach islands which figure prominently on a Mexico tour.

Tourists will be impressed with the enthusiasm with which fetes and festivals are celebrated in Mexico. As a tourist you are in for a treat as each region in Mexico has a special dish of its own. Mexico hotels in major cities serve national specialties as well as international cuisines. Nightlife in Mexico is a visual treat for the eyes for its exciting vibrancy. Avenida Insurgentes, the longest avenue in Mexico City is one of the main nightspots. The Mexican nightlife will impress you with its top entertainers, international shows, jazz groups and Mexican music. Coffee aficionados can stop by at the Condessa district to sip some coffee at its nice coffee shops and restaurants. The best for youngsters is Acapulco known as the ?the city that never sleeps? filled with bars and discos.

http://www.stayresmexico.com

Over the years many songwriters have referred to the beauty of this green pearl in the string of Caribbean islands, and today it is known throughout the world for its lush vegetation, reggae music, rum and coffee. One of the most overlooked attractions is, however, that part of the island that lies below the surface of the ocean that surrounds it.

Divers typically do not think of Jamaica as a prime diving destination, except for those who have explored its reefs and have found it to be the best destination of all. Where else can you do a breathtaking wall dive in the morning, enjoy the sea life on a shallow reef at noon, and have plenty of time left in the afternoon to go river rafting, horseback riding, play golf, visit a great house or indulge in any manner of activities.

Jamaica as one of the largest islands in the Caribbean has many excellent diving and snorkeling sites: shallow and deep, reefs and walls, wrecks and caverns, home to all manner of sea life: spectacular coral, exotic sponges, spiny lobsters, moray eels, sea turtles and multitudes of colorful fish, big and small. Below we have selected by region some of the unique diving opportunities available to you based on your level of experience.

All dives offered by commercial operators in Jamaica are guided dives. The dive guides must have, according to regulations, at least a dive master certificate from an internationally recognized association and be licensed by the Jamaica Tourist Board. Although this limits your freedom to dive wherever you like, this regulation increases the safety and fun of diving in an unfamiliar area.

The dive classifications employed below were assigned based on the following principles: Novice divers: Persons who are recently certified, or who have done only a limited number of dives with considerable gaps in between; this could include divers with as many as 20 dives. Dives in this category will tend to be less than 60 ft (18 m) or will not require advanced diving skills. Intermediate divers: Persons who have been diving on a regular basis but lack further training beyond certification, also those with advanced training who have not been diving for the past several months. The environment of this category of dive necessitates greater experience. Advanced divers: Persons with training beyond the open water diver certification that have been diving regularly in the last several months. This requirement will apply to most sites deeper than 80 ft (24 m) because those dives require a mastery of buoyancy and a thorough knowledge of the dive tables. These dives may also be accessible to the less experienced diver after a couple of refresher dives.

MONTEGO BAY Rose Hall Reef Depth: 20-45 ft (7-14 m) Class: Novice Named for the famous great house that overlooks the sea just a couple of miles east of Montego Bay, this shallow reef is teaming with marine life. At this location you’ll discover Fairy Castle, a massive colony of pillar coral, and Fairy Bridge, a coral formation that connects two sections of reef over a sandy river. The reef forms an intricate system of tunnels that are home to squirrelfish, goatfish, porcupinefish, bar jacks and grunts.

The Spanish Anchor Depth: 50-90 ft (15-28 m) Class: Intermediate Located on the west side of the marine park, the shallow reef drops to a sandy bottom at 50 ft. The site derives its name from the large anchor, undated but of Spanish origin, that rests on the sandy bottom. Within the reef wall one can explore tunnels and caverns with abundant sponge colonies. Sightings of eagle rays are quite common here, and in the deeper water large mutton snappers- and sometimes a docile nurse sharkmay pass by.

Widowmaker’s Cave Depth: 40-80 ft (12-24 m) Class: Advanced A deep dive along a wall with a vertical, narrow crack which forms the entrance to Widowmaker’s Cave. Inside the tunnel leading to the cave, there is wire coral with, in the beam of your dive light, red polyps, and the walls are covered with multicolored sponges. On this dive you’ll likely encounter schools of silvery blue bogas, glassy sweepers, schoolmaster snappers, balloonfish, trumpetfish, hamlets, wrasses and parrotfish.

NEGRIL The Throne Room Depth: 40-70 ft (12-21 m) Class: Novice The entrance to the Throne Room, a fairly wide but low cavern, is a crack in the reef about 25 feet long and 8 feet wide. The walls on the inside are covered with colorful sponges and on the bottom near to the exit you can see a large orange elephant ear sponge for which the site is named. Ceros, cruising along over the sandy bottom, are a common sight, as are small groups of yellow tail snapper.

The Caves Depth: 40-70 ft (12-21 m) Class: Intermediate This site is named for the two caverns, one small and one slightly larger, with a narrow tunnel connecting the two. You can find a variety of sponges here along with soft gorgonians. On the sand flat you will see the usual occupants: furry sea cucumbers, stingrays, jacks and some lane snappers.

Kingfish Point Depth: 80-90 ft (24-27 m) Class: Advanced Among the elephant ear sponges and yellow tube sponges, you may find Spanish hogfish, smooth and bandtail puffers, and of course the everpresent damselfish. Golden crinoids are tucked in between star and brain coral, and in the surrounding sandy area sand tilefish hover near their burrows. Kingfish, the Jamaican name for ceros, can be seen passing by. These silvery fish are generally solitary and are seen on reefs and drop-offs near deep water.

RUNAWAY BAY Reggae Queen Depth: 50-60 ft (15-18 m) Class: Novice The Reggae Queen, a 100-ft tugboat with a wooden hull, was sunk here in early 1993. The wreck lies upright in the sand in between two reef reas. Hovering over the wreck is a large school of blue chromis, bogas and creole wrasse. Southern stingrays have also been reported cruising the adjacent areas. In the reef you can see clusters of yellow tube sponges and green rope sponges covered with tiny zoanthids.

Pocket’s Reef Depth: 90-120 ft (27-36 m) Class: Advanced A wall at 80 ft dropping down to over 200 ft adorned with clusters of bright azure vase sponges, elephant ear sponges and large red sea fans. Large schools of fish go back and forth, and ceros and bar jacks pass overhead. Rainbow jacks are seen regularly and sometimes you may encounter an ocean triggerfish. A shallower reef plateau at 50 ft is home to grunts, goatfish and blackbar soldierfish.

OCHO RIOS Jacks Hall Depth: 30-50 ft (9-15 m) Class: Novice This medium-profile reef has finger coral, brain coral, star coral, an occasional elkhorn coral on the shallower end, and a variety of sponges. Drifting with the current you pass over a section of reef, followed by a sand chute, another reef section and another sand gully and so on. Nurse sharks frequent the area and can often be found napping in the sand.

Top of the Mountain Depth: 60-80 ft (18-24 m) Class: Intermediate Near Dunn’s River Falls, a massive underwater mountain plateau rises up from the sandy ocean floor to 60 ft below the surface. The top of the reef is covered with many different species of soft gorgonians and small coral heads, consisting of sea rods, sea plumes, sea fans, brain coral, star coral, and clusters of smooth flower coral. Look out for golden hamlets that frequent this area and the rare yellowcheck wrasse. Hiding in the coral heads are glasseye snappers, graysbys, and squirrelfish.

Snorkeling opportunities abound in Jamaica for guided tours to areas reachable only by boat or solo, shore entry reef exploration. Be sure to employ guides licensed by the Jamaica Tourist Board or if you have the experience to venture out on your own be sure to seek local advice on the currents and other potential hazards.

Excerpted with permission from the book Diving and Snorkeling Guide to Jamaica by Hannie and Theo Smit. This book is out of print but copies are available for purchase at the Montego Bay Marine Park visitor centre at Pier 1.

Montego Bay Marine Park Covering an area from the airport to the Great River west of Montego Bay, officially opened in 1992, mooring buoys and boundary markers are maintained, rangers patrol the area and spear fishing is banned from the park. Training programs exist to assist displaced fisherman in learning new skills and finding alternative employment. A zoning plan addresses the impact of various user groups on the park. Also, an extensive public education program seeks to make Montego Bay citizens more aware of the importance of preserving the marine environment. The effect of destructive environmental practices on land, which influences to a great extent the health of the reefs, is emphasized. For more information, call (876) 952-5619 or visit the head office and visitor centre, located at Pier 1. www.mbmp.org

Friends of the Sea Determined to halt the destruction of the marine environment in the areas of Discovery Bay, Runaway Bay and Ocho Rios this group of concerned citizens seeks to increase public awareness of this problem through education, water-quality monitoring and various conservation initiatives. For more information about their activities, you can write to: Friends of the Sea, P.O. Box 327, St. Anne’s Bay.

Negril Environmental Protection Area Covering over 80 square miles and including the Negril Marine Park and the Great Morass, as well as rain and limestone forests, cliffs, caves and blue holes. The marine park includes demarcation of recreational, fishing and replenishment zones with over 150 marker and reef mooring buoys, and the program incorporates educational projects and mariculture projects as well as an alternative to destructive fishing and farming practices, and a unique reef restoration program using mineral accretion to create artificial reefs. These efforts are financed by user fees, ecotourism activities, souvenir sales, donations and environmental levies. For more information, call (809) 957-4472.

**for more information visit http://www.jam-boree.com/, Jamaica’s visitor website, the complete source for travel and tourism information featuring hand-picked deals on vacation packages, hotels, villas, flights and car rentals**

Jam-boree.com

There are many reasons why firms offer reduced, or discounted travel deals, ranging from flights, up to packages which include several components, all inclusive in one price.

One of the main reasons for travel deals is the unsold places. Competition can also play a part in further reductions in list prices.

Before giving you a whole list of tips to get the best travel deals and discounts, I want to show you a amazingly simple but brilliant technique that you can use pretty much in most places and for most products and services.

I have used the technique all over the place it works so well it is almost unbelievable. But it is so simple that you may dismiss it without trying. I want you to be mentally prepared and be willing to give it a try, so here we go.

To get a discount or a bargain in most places, even in a high class boutique or a high street store, what you need to do is: ASK. Yes, just ask. But also I want you to remember, as they say, … it is not what you say, but the way you say it … that really counts.

So, to get a discount, you need to keep your intention to ‘buy’ to yourself until you’re ready to make your payment. You must always appear like you’re not convinced yet and that if the sales person doesn’t do better he will lose the deal. But you should also seem reasonably interested or else the sales person will think you’re not serious and therefore he won’t try to sweeten the deal for you.

OK, so how do you do all of the above? Easy and this is how I’ve done it for travel deals all the way to buying just 2 shirts at an up market men’s boutique – yes for just 2 shirts:

* I get information on the various options (be it travel deals or shirts).

* I decide what I want but will only – and this is the very important part – tell the sales person about a portion of what I want. So I may show interest in just one shirt or a holiday for 2 people and not 4.

* I ask all my questions and show that it is just what I want (so the sales person knows he almost has sale) but …

* I indicate that I’m not happy with the price. For example I may have seen something similar cheaper elsewhere. Or that I am prepared to go shopping around (all sales people know, if the customer walks out they usually will not come back). Or that I have the money (you’ll see why next) but had not planned on spending that much.

* I let the sales person try to ‘sell me the IDEA’ that it is OK to buy the product. Sometimes, they offer some free product (e.g. a pair of socks or tickets for a gallery or some show while on holiday). Then I ‘ask’ for the discount but make it clear that I will definitely buy if they give me the discount. This is how I ‘ask’ …

* Look I’ll definitely take it at $X. The sales person then says … so you want $Y off the price?!. They may tell you they don’t normally offer a discount outside of the sales season, etc. If they are very confident about not offering discounts, I then say ok, I’ll take 2 shirts … this one and … that one, only if you give me them at $Z for both ….

* At this stage the sales person may even say he hasn’t the authority to offer discounts. No problem, I ask them to speak to their boss. I have done this lots of times and get this: 90% of the time the boss agrees to the discount. Of the remaining 10% at least half the time, the boss offers me a counter discount which is a not as good as what I asked for but still pretty good.

Do you want to know the kind of discounts I’ve had? Well, on two shirts worth $62 I got $22 off. That is around 35%! On a travel package worth around $4,300, I got about $600 off but wait for it … I also got an upgrade from a deluxe room to a business suite in the same 5 star hotel. That suite was worth $800 per night and the deluxe room was worth $250 per night!

I had to explain the above details at length but all that I did was to display that I ‘WILL’ buy with a discount. They knew all they had to do was just one thing: give me a discount, so they did it. I made it, as they say, a no brainer for them.

In short just ask but (a) be realistic (let them make a little profit, don’t ask for 80% off) and (b) have a little flexibility as a backup plan (be ready to tell them that you’ll buy more, e.g. 2 shirts or a holiday for 4. Hey, even the sales people like to think they have got a concession form you … it is not a one-way street).

This technique works for almost everything but also works extremely well for travel bargains too. So lets get back to more tips specific to travel deals then.

Travel bargains, discounts and deals are all around you because we all travel regularly and repeatedly for holidays as well as for business and of course the travel industry competes for our dollars. Nevertheless, some research and being alert to travel deals can mean more substantial savings. Here’s how to spot and get the best travel deals:

* Booking as early as possible usually entitles you to some travel discount.

* If you’re buying more than one ticket, a further travel discount is possible.

* Be flexible. Sometimes weekend flights can be cheaper than weekdays (less business travellers).

* Flights departing later at night can be cheaper.

* Depending on your timetable, consider indirect flights, which take longer, but are probably cheaper, as opposed to direct flights.

* Travelling other than peak periods, such as schools holidays and public holidays will probably be heaper.

* More often than not, holiday packages are cheaper than buying the components separately.

* Compare prices online, by phone, or visit individual travel agents in the high street.

* As all airlines overbook, consider taking a later flight which usually comes with sweeteners from the airline in the form of further travel discounts, and travel vouchers.

* It may also be possible to travel on ‘stand by’, but it means that you’ll be called with very little notice

* If you’re lucky, it may be possible to travel as a ‘courier’. Some firms will pay, or subsidise your airfare in return for carrying important packages and letters.

* Buy travel insurance that best suits your circumstances. In case of emergencies it’ll save you lots of money.

The more time and effort you devote, the better travel deals you’ll bag. In many instances the saving could be quite substantial. So much so that you may be able to add on extra days stay. Happy travel deals.

Sami T Fab operates a dedicated travel and vacation information website packed full of free travel tips and informative content.

For more tips on travel deals and other travel subjects of interest to you, please do visit Travel Deals at www.Travel-Hotel-Beach-Vacations.com

If you are planning a holiday in Boston, be sure to explore the sights in and around downtown Boston. Your kids will absolutely love The New England Aquarium — a major attraction for families when visiting Boston.

For those of you who are interested in historical and culturally rich places, downtown Boston has much to offer, and it is not without reason that this city is called the ?Athens of America?. You can visit a number of historical buildings or enjoy a stroll with your family along the cobblestone street of the historical Quincy Market. The market if filled with wonderful boutiques, bakeries and restaurants, and you can truly spend an entire day there.

Of course, if you?re traveling to Boston, it makes sense that you would want to stay in one of Boston hotels. Among the popular downtown hotels are the Hyatt Regency, situated a block away form the Boston Common; Nine Zero Hotel, located at the center of downtown Boston; Seaport hotel, situated on the Boston Harbor, next to the Boston World Trade Center; Comfort Inn of Boston, located close to the Logan Airport; Radisson Hotel Boston, situated three miles from the airport and a few blocks away from Newbury Street and Wyndham Boston, located on the same street as the New England Aquarium.

All of these hotels offer excellent downtown accommodations and are ideally located for your excursions of downtown Boston. Some of these hotels may even provide you with a complimentary hotel shuttle for your ventures.

Boston Hotels provides detailed information about Boston hotels, Boston luxury hotels, cheap Boston hotels, downtown Boston hotels and more. Boston Hotels is the sister site of Florida Timeshare Rentals.

So, this is the Brazil. This is what Rio de Janeiro is really all about. When the Carnival arrives, companies close down, shops shut their doors early, and streets are closed off to make way for dancing, parties and parades. This awe inspiring festivity not only provides entertainment for the thousands of people attending the Carnival, but also for the millions watching it on their televisions, giving them a chance to learn about the true culture of Brazil.

The next Carnival starts on Saturday 25th February 2006, and ends on Fat Tuesday leading up to Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent in the Roman Catholic calendar. This happens to be during the hottest time of the year in the Southern Hemisphere, when summer is at its peak. When that Saturday arrives then it?s Carnival all over the place, in the streets and squares, bars, clubs and other venues, taking over the whole city of Rio and culminating in the Rio Carnival Parade also known as the Samba Parade.

The Rio Carnival is an event of mere days, but the result of months of preparation. The most giving and hardworking hands during the months before are often the ones most overlooked by outside eyes. These are the people who make the Carnival what it is, they add an ingredient that couldn?t possibly be replicated by the largest tourist operator, most experienced guide or multi million dollar sponsor. They are the people from Rio de Janeiro?s poorest neighbourhoods, the so called favelas or shanty towns.

So where did you think all the magic and thrill Carnival is famous for started? From the production of the elaborate costumes to the performance and choreography of the costume bearers, residents of the favelas are deeply involved with every aspect of the Carnival. More often than not, this is done through their participation and membership to a local samba school.

The samba schools, with members reaching the thousands, will get together on a regular basis throughout the year for rehearsals and samba nights. All the samba schools have rehearsal spaces, called samba courts, or locally known as quadras de samba. They open, in most cases, at weekends for anyone, including tourists like you and me, as long as you pay the small fee at the door. To anyone who?s not been to one of these places they can only be described as nightclubs with samba.

This is the best way to make contact with the real samba and people of Rio de Janeiro. The nights are totally informal, and members of all ages including many old people can go to the party of any school. Most are quite far out of from the main parts of Rio de Janeiro and some of the areas they are situated in can be rough. To this end I would recommend going with a group in a package including a local escort, and round-trip transportation. Once you’re inside, it’s very safe. I would recommend not going flashy or having anything valuable with you except of course your camera. This is only due to the high density and energetic atmosphere of these events and you are more likely to lose or damage such items rather than have them stolen.

So maybe you are planning to come to the Rio carnival, or maybe not and you just want to sample some of the rich carnival energy that lasts all year round in this city. Either way, visiting a Samba school is a great pre-Carnival excursion.

If you are coming for the main event then remember it also means a bit of preparation on your part too. You should not only get your flight, but do a bit of research on your Carnival tickets in advance. Try to plan your Carnival activities ahead to sample the immense variety on offer. Include in your must-do’s the Samba Parade, street parties, and balls. You should also really organize your accommodation for the carnival well in advance. The best hotels, especially around Copacabana and Ipanema, are booked up early, so it?s advisable to make your hotel reservations as soon as you have decided to attend this spectacular event.

The next article in this series is titled ?Rio Carnival ? The Main Event?.

Ally Colquhoun has travelled extensively throughout South America, particularly in Brazil and visits Rio de Janeiro on a regular basis. He runs a website at http://www.riolocal.com where tourists can find more information and resources about Rio de Janeiro.

Indianapolis is the capital and the largest city of Indiana. It is a major commercial center. With a population of close to 800,000, it is Indiana’s most populous city and one of the few cities in the Midwest that has seen a growth rate exceeding 5 percent.

Founded as the state capital in 1821, the city enjoyed great social, economic and cultural progress, mainly due to the discovery of a large natural gas deposit in the 1890s. With the state supplying free natural gas to factories in the region, there was a sharp increase in automobile and glass industries until 1915, when the deposits got depleted.

Indianapolis experiences hot summers and long and cold winters, with significant snowstorms. Spring is generally pleasant; however, since there are no mountains to protect the area, thunderstorms that occur in spring and fall often bring in tornadoes.

Indianapolis is rich in culture and in order to improve tourism, the government is taking further initiatives to project the city as a center of art and culture. Broad Ripple Village, War Memorial Plaza, Monument Circle, Massachusetts Avenue, Fountain Square and Wholesale Districare are some of the well-known cultural districts. The city is also known for its reputed educational institutions like Butler University, the University of Indianapolis, Marian College, Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana, and Indiana University Purdue University, Indianapolis. The Indianapolis International Airport caters to Indianapolis and Marion County.

Indianapolis is probably best known for hosting the largest single-day sporting event in the world: the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race. This race is held at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which is the largest stadium in the world.

The city is also home to well-known sports teams, including the Indianapolis Indians, a minor league baseball team in the International League, the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League, the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Associaton and the Indiana Fever of the Women’s National Basketball Association. Beginning with the 2006 event, the NCAA will be holding the Final Four, which is the semifinals and finals of the men’s college basketball tournament in Indianapolis every four years. In recognition of its love for sports, the city has been dubbed The Amateur Sports Capital of the World.

Indianapolis provides detailed information on Indianapolis, Indianapolis Real Estate, Indianapolis Hotels, Indianapolis Directory and more. Indianapolis is affiliated with Cleveland Golf.

Traveling in a new place is usually not an easy task. It would be much better to utilize your traveling time more efficiently if you could have a more understanding on the transportation facilities of your destination. This article introduces four types of transportation facilities in Paris which gives travelers to have a more in-depth understanding on Paris?s transportation services.

1. Metro and RER
Metro is the subway in the city while the RER (Reseau Express Regional) is the railway in the rural area. The subway service of Paris is started in 1900. Up to the present moment, there are 13 routes of subway and 4 routes of RER with total 367 stations which covers most parts of Paris. Therefore, if you could get used to the subway systems of Paris, it would be much leisure to travel around without any difficulties. The ticket fair inside city is unified as 7 Frs. for a single trip (billet). Ten- piece ticket booklet (carnet) is charged at 41 Frs. Besides, there is a Paris-Visite Billet which is specially designed for tourists. It is a pass for subway, RER and bus within a pre-set period of time. If you are staying in Paris for a longer period of time, you could choose to use the monthly ticket or the weekly ticket so that you take the subway, RER and bus whenever you like. Please be reminded that you have to take with you a personal photo (27 mm x 30 mm) in applying the fixed-time ticket in the station (guichet). Besides, it should be aware that the effective period of the monthly ticket is fixed from the first day to the last day of the month, and likewise Monday to Sunday for the weekly ticket. Therefore, you should count on the date when you buy the fixed-time ticket that how much the effective period is remaining.

2. Taxi
Taxi is the most convenient transportation as you could take it in any place. Usually it is easier to get the taxi in the taxi station (Tete de Taxi) in the main streets, hotel or the stations. Most of the taxi drivers are very familiar with the streets, and they could take you to your destination as long as you could mention you address clearly. Please be aware that the front seat is not for passenger, and one taxi could take 3 passengers in principal.

3. Public Bus
Most of the Paris residents like to take the public bus, but it seems to be quite difficult for tourists as they may not recognize the place to take off. However, you could enjoy the street scenery in taking the bus whereas the subway could not offer. Please be aware that you have to buy the ticket rather than just put the coins in. If you do not have a ticket, you have to tell the driver your destination, buy the ticket and put in the ticket cutter. Actually, you could use the subway ticket in taking the bus. You could just show your fixed-time subway ticket to the driver and you could get on and take off at any station you like. There is no station broadcasting service inside the bus and you have to ring the bell in advance before taking off. Therefore, it is suggested to take a bus road map at the information counter in the subway station, and find out the bus station name of your destination before you take the bus.

4. Tourist Ferry (Bateaux-Paris-ens)
Departure pier is at the Pont d?Iena which is near the Eiffel Tower. The cruise services could be divided as with and without meal provided. A single trip without meal provided is about 45 Frs. and the service hours are 10:00- 22:00 in summer time (depart in every 30 minutes) whereas 10:00-18:00 in wintertime (depart in every 1 hour). A lunch provided trip is about 300 Frs., departs at 12:30 while a dinner provided trip is about 550 Frs. departs at 20:30. Passenger must make advance booking for the meal provided cruise service and with formal attire on the trip.

About the Author: Sammy Ho has been a specialist traveler who has traveled many parts of the world. His specialists are to study different culture and living hobbies of different countries, and to learn from each place he has traveled. To find more travelers tips, hotel information and flight information in Paris, please visit website: http://geniuschoice.com/flight-paris/

The city offers up to 47 miles of beaches, as well as a wide range of cultural and recreational activities. The top attractions include Clematis Street, Lake Place, Lion Country Safari, and some of the best beaches around.

Lion County Safari
Lion County Safari, it is open daily rain or shine from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30p.m. Since 1967 Lion Country Safari has offered its visitors an up-close and personal experience with some of the most fascinating creatures on our planet. Located eighteen miles west of Interstate 95 on Southern Boulevard in West Palm Beach, Lion Country Safari continues to offer the public an opportunity to see its resident animals in their natural environment while also actively participating in the rehabilitation and captive breeding of many of its species.

To take full advantage of all Lion Country Safari has to offer, plan on spending at least two hours exploring the drive-thru areas by vehicle and another two to three hours on foot enjoying the petting zoo and other included attractions.

City Place
Another tourist spot is City Place. City Place is part of a long term reclamation of the downtown area. The designers of City Place have combined an early 1900 style with modern concepts to create an environment that is relaxing and exciting at the same time. Once a depressed area, City Place left only one original building standing in process of building the new downtown area.

Rapids Water Park
If you family is looking to get wet then the place to go to is, The Rapids Water Park. The Rapids Water Park is South Florida’s premiere family park.

The Rapids features a full day of fun for the entire family whether you make a splash in the cool blue waves, that a thrilling ride down any of there 16 water slides, or just float around the lazy river. Rapids Water Park has 22 acres of action packed attractions, with something fun for everyone.

Palm Beach County
You can also enjoy the great outdoors at one of the many parks and beaches in Palm Beach County. It offers everything from boating to horseback riding. Palm Beach County operates and maintains over 70 parks and provides organized recreation programs and services for people of all ages and abilities. Palm Beach County is home to 150 golf courses, 1,100 tennis courts, and 2,000 restaurants and more than 40 cultural venues.

Visitors may be content to stroll the beaches for shells, snorkel off-shore, or fish for bass in the calm waters of Lake Okeechobee. Palm Beach County’s Ocean Rescue lifeguards and inflatable rescue boat operators protect swimmers at thirteen oceanfront and inlet parks from Tequesta to Boca Raton.

Swimming areas are guarded year-round from 7:30 am until 5:30 pm, seven days a week. After a relaxing swim you can visit Clematis Street and Flagler Drive in downtown West Palm Beach, which is also another tourist attraction.

The best way to get to Clematis Street is to take I-95 to Palm Beach Lakes Blvd. Head east on Palm Beach Lakes Blvd. to Dixie Highway, turn left and you’re there. Clematis Street is known for its restaurants, shopping and nightclubs. But perhaps its best know attraction is the fountain in Centennial Square. Kids love to play and have fun in the fountain.

The water jets constantly move from place to place. The Fountain is located in Centennial Square on the extreme east end of Clematis Street near the Intercostals Waterway. Centennial Square is the most famous part of Clematis Street. Centennial Square is located on the extreme east end of Clematis Street. It’s the site of the fountain and Clematis by Night (a major weekly event each Thursday night.) On Fridays’ a band was playing at the lunch hour. Everyone enjoys it, including the kids.

For more travel-related information on West Palm Beach like restuarants to go and hotels to stay in, visit West Palm Beach Travel Guide at LAST-MINUTE-VACATION-GUIDE.COM

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