The Bahamas consists of over 700 islands, of which most tourists, have been neglected. Although large islands offer the comforts paradise, many of the smaller islands uninhabited, and only waiting to be discovered. With its clear, warm waters and wide sandy beaches are Paradise Resort Bahamas for enthusiasts demanding offers a world of fun and sun bathing, fishing, boating and diving.

A visit to the Bahamas in Nassau, beginsCapital island of New Providence Island. Nassau offers a wealth of attractions to visit, including the bustling straw market, where local artisans make unique straw and other arts for sale. More refined luxury boutique shopping scene in Bay Street available. Fort Charlotte, in the 18th century fortress with a moat, battlements and dungeons with a magnificent view of the port of Nassau. Near the gardens overflow with pink flamingos Ardastra and tropical flowers. Athe upper part of the Queen Elizabeth Avenue is one hundred meters's Staircase, by slaves in the limestone overhanging cliffs carved and up to Fort Fincastle and Water Tower. Fort Fincastle was in the late 18th Century and built like the prow of a ship is intended. The water tower is the highest point of the island of New Providence and has a viewing platform with panoramic views. Cable Beach, just outside of Nassau, has more than two miles of golden beach and is famous for its gourmet restaurants,Bars and nightclubs. Paradise near Iceland is also famous for its beaches and acres aquarium fourteen gardens beautifully, and the largest casino in the Caribbean.

After the most popular tourist destination in Iceland in New Providence Bahamas Grand Bahama Island, just fifty miles from Florida. It has eight acres of beautiful white beaches and is home to many resorts all inclusive Bahamas. The natural wonders of the Peterson Cay National ParkThe Lucayan National Park make both worth a visit. Rand Memorial Nature Center has missed out on great trails and are not colored birds, exotic flowers and waterfalls in the Garden of the woods. Dolphin lovers will delight only those semi-wild animals float and glide in Sanctuary Bay. The island of the main towns are Freeport – Lucaya Grand Bahama Island and the West End has some of the most beautiful white sand beaches of the world, as well as two big casinos and Port Lucayaand the International Bazaar offers world class shopping, gourmet restaurants, and entertainment.

The Bahamas Out Islands stretch over a large area of the ocean and are only scattered for hundreds of miles of white sandy beaches with the famous fishing villages of the area native. This vast archipelago of the Bahamas has many all inclusive resorts are perfect for a secluded, relaxing holiday without thinking about money or deposit. The largest of the islands of Andros, a denselywooded paradise with numerous bays. The interior of Andros is largely unaffected and natural, and the whole east coast is 150 miles long coral reef, the third longest in the world. Beyond this reef is known, a collapse in the language of 'Ocean, fishing with some of the best deep waters of the world. Another important Abacos chain of islands, 120 miles along the chain of sandy islands where the local cities specialize in shipping and fishing villages reminiscent of NewEngland. Golfers flock to Treasure Cay golf championship golf, and there are countless opportunities for diving and boat trips.

LOCATION

Located in the north of Honduras on the edges of the fertile Sula Valley, San Pedro Sula is Honduras’ second largest city with approximately 800,000 citizens. It is the business and commerce capital of the country and home to a modern airport, which is serviced by International Airlines. These include TACA, American Airlines, Continental, Iberia, Copa, Sol Air, Atlantic Airlines and others. The city is also situated close to the Merendon Mountain Range, which creates an impressive backdrop when you are downtown looking north or when you are flying into the city’s airport.

LOCAL HISTORY

Nomadic people are believed to have traveled in the Sula Valley from before 1500 BC. Around 700 BC groups began to settle in the valley and agriculture began. Squash, corn, beans, wild chilies, herbs, bell peppers and cacao are believed to have been the first plants cultivated while turkeys, ducks and dogs were domesticated.

Objects of clay, stone, bone and shell from this period have survived until today. During 200 AD until 900 AD numerous villages existed in the Sula Valley. During this period, the area’s art reached its highest point technically and aesthetically. Pottery and ceramic vessels were taken to Copan and further afield into Central America. Also, during this time, the major architectural structures were built in the valley.

During 900 AD and 1500 AD the local population began to decline. No one is certain why, but recent discoveries have pointed towards the possibility of a plague, severe erosion, soil degradation and/or a long drought as possible reasons.

Pedro de Alvarado founded the city of San Pedro Sula in 1536. The city was to serve as a warehouse for goods flowing to and from the Honduran North Coast Ports to Guatemala, Nicaragua and El Salvador. It was also a collection point for cocoa, indigo, leather, sarsaparilla and canfistula (a plant used medicinally).

Due to continual attacks of the city by pirates, the local residents decided to move away from the city into the countryside where they lived a self sufficient life. The city was nearly deserted until the later colonial era when it became a base for cattle ranchers.

In the mid 19th century, San Pedro Sula’s fortunes changed when commerce picked up at the port of Omoa and San Pedro Sula again became an important commerce spot in Honduras. But it was the growth of the Banana Industry and the reopening of Puerto Cortes that really set the city in motion to become Honduras commerce center.

Today San Pedro Sula is one of Central America’s fastest growing cities. Business and commerce continue to grow to today as does the city’s modern facilities and services.

ATTRACTIONS

The Museum of Anthropology and History is located a few blocks from Central Park on 3a Avenida between 3 and 4 Calles NO. The museum is a must see for anyone visiting San Pedro Sula. Its displays will take you through the Pre-Columbian to modern day history of the Sula Valley. The museum has a wide range of Mayan artifacts that have been found throughout the area and is open from Monday to Saturday from 9am to 4pm, is closed all day Tuesday, and Sunday it opens from 9am to 3pm. The entrance fee is $2 for foreign visitors and 20 lps (lempiras) for national visitors.

Guamilito Market is one the Honduras’ best handicraft markets. The market is between 8 and 9 Avenida and 6 and 7 Calles NO. The market is open daily, usually until around 5pm. The market is a great place to pick up souvenirs and gifts. Items of note are Honduran cigars, mahogany carvings, Mayan replica pottery, woven baskets, hammocks and a range of colored T-Shirts. Spend some time browsing and do not be afraid to bargain on the prices.

The Central Park of San Pedro Sula and the main Cathedral are definitely worth a look. The Cathedral, which was built in 1949, has just been remodeled and restored. The new Central Park (Parque Central) is open, fresh looking and at well lit at night. The park is always busy, with people coming and going and moneychangers and street vendors plying their trade. It’s a great place to sit back and people watch or to strike up a conversation with some locals. If it is a little hot outside, a popular place to hang out is the Espresso Americana Caf?, which fronts onto the park. It’s air conditioned and serves up great coffee and pastries.

The Coca Cola sign can be seen most days from the downtown area in its position on the Merendon Mountain Range, which is a only a 10 minute taxi ride from downtown. At night, if running, the sign flashes Coke colors and fades in and out. Whether you are a coke fan or not, a hike up to the sign is a good way to escape downtown and to see some great views of the Sula Valley. The walk takes about 1 to 2 hours and goes through some nice rainforest where Toucans and Motmots are regularly seen. Motmots are a brilliantly colored bird and Honduras has more species than any other country. Being a big city, San Pedro Sula has modern comforts and a range of activities such as sporting events, shopping centers, restaurants and nightlife. See the below sections for more information.

ACTIVITIES

San Pedro Sula is a good place to stay to enjoy the facilities of a large city and to see another side of the Honduran experience, big city life. The city has good banking, business, communication and hotel facilities. There is a wide range of restaurants and nightlife, places to shop. Sampedranos, what the San Pedro Sulans are called, are a friendly and helpful people. The city is home to a few football teams from the national league and a game is quite an experience to see, not just for the high quality of football but also for the atmosphere of the crowd and for the local passion that is a part of true Latin American Football. North Americans will know this brand of football as soccer. Games are regularly held in the Olympic Stadium or the Francisco Morazon Stadium, which is located on 1 Calle between 13 and 14 avenida. Tickets start at US$3 depending on the seating and the game.

San Pedro Sula is a good place to base yourself during a visit to Honduras, especially if you like the comforts of a big city. Day trips can be organized to Tela, Lake Yojoa, Omoa and the Mayan Ruins of Copan, with local travel agents or tour operators. Many rental car companies have offices in San Pedro Sula, which is another option for traveling around to explore the many nearby attractions.

INTERNET CAFE

Over the past year or two there has been an Internet caf? explosion in the downtown area of San Pedro Sula. Instead of listing places here I suggest you just walk a block or two from Central Park in any direction and you should find an Internet Cafe. Currently prices are around $.50 to $1 per hour and a few places have Internet phones for calling internationally.

NIGHTLIFE

San Pedro Sula has some of the country’s best nightlife and is a great place to go out and to drink and dance the night away or to catch up on all the latest movies.

The Mall Multi Plaza, Mega Plaza and Metro Plaza all have cinema complexes. Closer to downtown you will find 2 or 3 cinemas, Multicines Plaza being the best. Movie releases are a few months behind the USA or Western Countries. Most movies are shown in English with Spanish subtitles. Ticket prices range from $1.20 to $2.50 depending on the cinema and to extent the quality of their facilities. So if you enjoy the movies and like nice chairs and good sound try one of the more up market places. Movies are usually shown at 3, 5, 7 and 9 PM. Tuesday is a popular day, with 2 tickets for the price of one, but be prepared to go early to get a seat, as sometimes tickets do sell out. All local papers have a daily cinema schedule.

San Pedro Sula is home to a lot of bars. A fun night can be had in Zona Viva going from bar to bar. A local favorite and fun place to hang out is La Cava in Barrio Los Andes 2 and 3 Calle, 16 Ave NO. Great Karaoke nights and occasional live music on the weekends packs the people in. Jerry the owner mixes a range or cocktails. Watch out for the Barcardi 121 or ask if he has some Guaro for a fire packed drink. There is a good selection of music and the patrons are always happy to have a chat.

Karaoke Club in Zona Viva is a popular place with the locals and even if you are not a Karaoke fan it can be a good place to catch some quality music. The quality of the singers is at times surprising and at other times not so surprising. Big Daddies, Caribbean and Gators Sports Bar are also all popular spots in Zona Viva. Bars do come and go regularly in San Pedro Sula, so just look for a place with some people and some music.

TGI Fridays, Applebee’s, Ruby Tuesdays and Fogancito’s are all popular places to eat and drink on the weekends. All places are well located near the Circunvalcion. For a bit more local color and atmosphere, consider visiting a local disco. Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights are the most popular. But most discos are open every night except Monday. Check the local papers for promotion nights such as ladies night, live music, beer promotions or open bar (cover charge, then all you care to drink).

The pick of the discos is Kawamas Bay, which is located on the Circunvalcion. The disco plays a lot of Latin music and has a friendly staff. It can get very busy on the weekends usually around 11.00 PM. The disco stays open to 5 AM or 6 PM and it is a place to dance. You will find more people on the dance floor than at the bar or tables and chairs for most of the night. So put on your dancing shoes and be ready for some Salsa, Merengue and Punta. No need to worry, since you will still get a bit of house, rock and techno music. Cover charges vary from $2.50 to $6, depending on the night.

Confetti’s Disco is also popular and is only located a block on from Kawamas Bay. Confetti’s also fills up on the weekends and stays open to around 5am or 6am. The disco plays a variety of music on the weekends and a bit more house and techno music than Kawamas Bay. Cover charges vary from $2.50 to $6.

Millenium Disco is located in the Social Club Arabe at the end of Barrio Rio Pierdas the disco is the classiest place in town. Friday and Saturday nights are busy and cover charges vary from $3.50 to $6.

The Sampedrano Cultural Center holds regularly events such as concerts, performances and art shows. Call (504) 553-3911 or 553-3768 for event schedules.

For safety reasons, be sure to take a taxi when traveling even just a few blocks after dark. Walking around Zona Viva is OK but only within a block or two radius of the area. Otherwise just get a taxi, most fares cost $2 to $3, but prices do go up the later the night gets.

WHEN TO GO AND WHY San Pedro Sula can be visited at all times of year. Two special times to visit are during the Fair of June or Feria de Juliana. The month long celebrations range from Cultural Events, Live Music, Street Carnivals, AGAS Agricultural Fair to the Expo Centro Fair, which includes live music and food.

The Fair, though not as well known as Carnival in La Ceiba, offers a good chance to join the Sanpedranos in celebrating their city. Again at nights be sure to take a taxi other than that it is a great time to visit San Pedro Sula.

The other special time to visit is during the Folkloric Festival, which runs over 2 Saturday nights in September. The festival is a cultural event, which includes country food stands, music and national presentations of music and dance from different international cultural groups that have made their home in San Pedro Sula. To top this off a famous Latin American Group also plays. If you are visiting Honduras for a long period of time be sure to pencil this event in, as it is one of the country’s best.

HOW TO GET THERE

The Ramon Villeda Morales – San Pedro Sula Airport is located 13 kms from downtown. TACA, Continental, American, Iberia, Sol Air, Copa Air (from Panama) and Atlantic Airlines (from Belize City and Managua) all fly into San Pedro Sula. While Islena, Sosa and Atlantic Airlines connect the city to major destinations such as Tegucigalpa, La Ceiba, Roatan, Guanaja and Utila.

Buses to and from San Pedro Sula leave to and from most major locations in Honduras, including Copan Ruinas, Tegucigalpa, Tela and La Ceiba, with some traveling direct and non-stop and others stopping in route. Each of the capitals of the countries surrounding Honduras are also served by buses: Managua, San Salvador, Guatemala City. Each bus company has its own station but most are found a few blocks west of Central Park.

MAJOR BUS COMPANIES

Hedman Alas
Barrio Guamalito
7 and 8 Avenida, 3 Calle NO
Telephone: 553 1361
First Class buses to and from Guatemala City, Copan, Tegucigalpa, Tela, La Ceiba and the San Pedro Sula airport.

El Rey Express
Barrio Paz Barahona
9 Avenida 9 and 10 Calle
Telephone: 550 8355
Direct Buses to and from Tegucigalpa, hourly

Catisa-Tupsa
2 Avenida 5 and 6 Calle SO
Telephone: 552 1042
Direct Buses to and from Tela and La Ceiba, hourly

Toritos and Copanecos
Barrio Lempira
6 Avenida 8 and 9 Calle SO
Telephone: 553 4930
Direct Buses to and from Nueva Ocotepeque via Santa Rosa de Copan, 7 to 8 buses daily

Citul
Barrio Lempira
6 Avenida 7 and 8 Calle SO
Telephone: 553 0070
Buses to and from Puerto Cortes, hourly
Tica Bus
Texaco, Monumento a la Madre
Telephone: 556-5149
Direct buses to and from Managua and El Salvador

TRAVEL TIPS – SAFETY

San Pedro Sula, like so many large and growing cities, does have its fair share of crime. Travel common sense should be used at all times, such as taking taxis at night or when you are not sure of where you are going. Fares should range between US$2 in the downtown area and should cost US$10 from the airport to the downtown area. Visiting poor areas (slumming, as some call it) is never a good idea. Also, do not wear fancy jewelry, watches or expensive sunglasses and don’t carry large amounts of money or valuables with you. American Express Traveller’s Checks should be carried instead of cash.

OVERNIGHT STAYS

A lot of people, as they say, get stuck in San Pedro Sula awaiting connecting flights. Hopefully this guide may give you with some ideas on how to fill your time. To squeeze as much in as possible in an overnight, I would visit the Museum of Anthropology and History, shop in Guamalito Handicrafts Market, visit Central Park, admire the Coca Cola sign from a distance while pondering the influence of multinational companies worldwide. There is a good view of the sign from the Cathedral’s front steps. And then treat yourself to a nice meal and a few drinks or go catch a movie.

For more travel information check out http://www.travel-to-central-america.com a guide to travel in Central America.

NOTE: Things can change quickly in San Pedro Sula, so the information provided, including recommendations and prices are subject to change.

Dean Milverton has spent many years living and working in Central America and is also the creator of http://www.travel-to-central-america.com a guide to travel in Central America.

Asia’s best-kept secret for expatriates, Malaysia has a vibrant mix of foreign and indigenous tribal cultures, creating a veritable melting pot of peoples, traditions and religions.

A sizable enclave of foreigners (Brits, Americans, Australians, and Canadians) live full time or maintain holiday homes in Malaysia, and you’ll find that just about everybody speaks English, since its compulsory in local schools.

Not only are three world-class playgrounds (Thailand, Bali, and the Philippines) all within a few hour’s travel from Malaysia, but with miles of white sand coastline, tropical islands, and beachfront property galore, it has all the makings of a fairy-tale setting.

Despite being the capital of a developing nation, Kuala Lumpur is a modern cosmopolitan with clean streets and sidewalks and every modern convenience to found in New York or London. Home to the tallest building in the world, there are also FedEx and UPS offices, international banks, English cinemas and bookstores, western-style supermarkets, French and German bakeries, Chinese, Indian, and Italian restaurants, gourmet coffee, Cuban cigars, Internet caf?s and some of the best shopping in the world!

One of the few things that lend a Third-world feel to the capital are the open-air night market, where local merchants peddle everything from fresh fruit and vegetables, to meat and fish, to exotic animals and traditional handicrafts.

All the major newspapers are available at newsstands, including the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, the Financial Times, the International Herald Tribune and The New York Times. Cable and satellite TV provides access to a wide variety of English-language programming, including CNN, the Discovery Channel, Filmnet and many more.

Despite the local Muslim population not drinking alcohol, Kuala Lumpur has some of the liveliest nightlife in the region and there are more than a fair share of clubs and bars, where tourists, expatriates and locals alike mingle and party. Though the official religion of Malaysia is Islam, great tolerance is shown for other religions, with many beliefs being represented and their adherents practicing openly, including Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, Taoists and Jews (the nearest synagogue is in neighboring Singapore).

Compared with other major Asian cities (Tokyo, Singapore, and Hong Kong, for example), Kuala Lumpur is downright cheap. Even in the over-priced tourist spots you can get a good meal for two for around $20. Outside of these places, a 3-course meal for two with all the trimmings, including drinks, will set you back no more than $10?a doctor’s visit $8 to $15 and live-in domestic help $200 a month.

Rental properties are readily available and not overly expensive by American or European standards. The cost of 2-bedroom rental apartments begins at around $225 per month, with 3-bedroom houses starting at $35,000. Naturally, comparable housing in expatriate communities or the luxurious suburban homes that date from British colonial period can set you back considerably more.

Other properties recently on offer include:

A 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom, 725-square-foot apartment with a dining room, a kitchen, ceiling fans, a walk-in closet, and parking, costs $45,215.

A small two-story bungalow with 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, a kitchen, a living room, and a dining room going for $35,700.

A penthouse apartment, close to downtown, with a sea-view and a 350-sqare-foot terrace. It comes fully furnished and has 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, a kitchen, and a dining room. The asking price? $75,000.

A spacious 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom, 2500-square-foot condominium with a large living room, an elegant dining room, a fully equipped kitchen, and a pantry, for $125,250.

Though there are expensive restaurants and accommodations, there’s simply no reason for you to check into a five-star hotel when you can stay in a clean, friendly hotel in the city center for $40 a night where every meal costs less than $5 per person.

CRIME-FREE AND FOREIGNER FRIENDLY

Of course, cheap living shouldn’t be the only deciding factor when choosing a new home. As well as being very affordable, Malaysia is safe.The government’s real no tolerance policy means street crime is virtually nonexistent.

The Malaysian government, through its Silver-Haired Program, offers expatriate resident retirees extremely attractive benefits. Outside of nationals of Israel and Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro), the program is open to citizens of most countries. To qualify, you need only be over 50, show you can bring a guaranteed income of about $1300 per month into Malaysia (or open a savings account in Malaysia with $40,000), and have a local sponsor (which can easily be arranged).

Penang, a small island off the northwest coast, has been called the Pearl of the Orient and its beaches are a favorite tourist destination. The coastline is also dotted with many small, quiet seaside villages. The tropical rainforests and jungles offer many opportunities for exploring lush mountains, trekking through the jungle, or even taking a riverboat safari. The bountiful sea surrounding Malaysia provides for some of the best scuba diving and fishing anywhere in the world (Malaysia’s seas are home to the Black Marlin, tuna, mackerel, sailfish, barracuda and a host of other species).

PRACTICAL BENEFITS

Medical care is good, with excellent hospitals and clinics in all the major towns. Doctors speak English, and the majority gained their qualifications in Western Europe or North America.

Although foreign residents must arrange private health insurance, visiting tourists who have an accident are entitled to free emergency treatment in public hospitals. A consultation with a private doctor in most cases will cost just $8 to $15.

When it comes to banking, management methods and the range of services offered closely follow the British model. Plus, most major world banks have full-service branches in Malaysia.

Many expatriates living here off investment income keep their cash growing tax free in Labuan, an offshore tax haven administered by Malaysia, and then bring into the mainland what’s needed for living expenses. Labuan is also perfect for anyone looking for a private, offshore bank account, a tax-free corporation, a trust, or other offshore structures.

Led by Malaysian Airlines, the national carrier, the island is served by many major airlines, linking it the world through its international airports. A good network of modern roads covers the distances between towns, and Malaysian telecommunications are among the best in the world.

If you’ve ever thought about living overseas, you owe it to yourself to investigate Malaysia.

About The Author

Copyright 2005 by Shannon Roxborough

Shannon Roxborough is an international lifestyle expert with close to 20 years experience. He has helped hundreds of clients with overseas living, retirement and travel matters. Visit his website at: www.TheGlobalLife.net

askinternational@aol.com

If anyone ever asks for the time while on a beach holiday, they surely have a thing or two to learn. Simply put, beaches have a way of holding time on their own accord, and they will undoubtedly insist on taking you with them at their own, leisurely, pace. And why wouldn’t you want to go? White, powdery sand along crystal-clear waters, palm trees for shade, and the sea breeze simply epitomize pure relaxation.

Spend your well deserved time soaking up the brilliant rays and letting go of all your stress, and if your idea of the perfect holiday is to take in all the splendours of the deep blue sea there are countless activities to take part in – including snorkelling, sailing, surfing, scuba diving, and more – all taking place in the sun’s rays of course!

Soon enough you’ll find that the essence of time just seems to roll away with the shells on the shore. And don’t be surprised if you forget what day it is. Sound too good to be true? It’s truly anything but. Whether your idea of the perfect beach holiday is to plunge into the crystal waters of the Bahamas, sink your toes into the idyllic white and black sand beaches of Hawaii, or absorb the warm and tropical paradise that Mexico has to offer, it’s all within reach – and you simply can’t go wrong.

As long as you have set yourself up with nice accommodation in advance, say a hotel on the beach, or something less refined, you can eliminate the final factor which could possibly cause anxiety and ensure that you are completely free to simply relax. There are a range of outstanding locales available to the inquisitive tourist, from tropical terrain to dazzling city coastlines. Visit your agent to catch a glimpse of all the luxurious hotels, fantastic locations, and amazing deals available to you.

When it comes to the wealth of the options you have for beach holidays, go with ‘whatever floats your boat’, but just remember not to let time keep track of you. Lose yourself in a place where the sun and the moon sparkle off warm waters, and where the sound of the waves will lull you to sleep at night. With all that beaches have to offer – surf, sand, sun and relaxation – it’s clear why beach holidays will never become a thing of the past.

So why not make your next holiday a beach holiday? It might be seen as unadventurous, but for relaxing in awe-inspiring sunrises and glorious sunsets it’s tough to beat.

Andrew Regan is an online journalist who enjoys socialising at his local Edinburgh rugby club.

If life is a journey than, in India at least, it chugs along on two parallel steel lines? the railways. No reference here to the local trains of Mumbai, India?s commercial capital, where citizens spend a substantial portion of their waking hours commuting increasing distances within ever expanding city-limits.

This one is grand – a vast rail network criss-crossing the length and breadth of the country, spanning over plains and rivers, through forest and deserts, reaching out to the obscurest of villages and connecting them to the rest of this immense, wonderful conglomeration of people, towns, animals, history and culture, that is India.

While air travel saves you time and driving by road lends flexibility to your schedule, there is really no better way to know India than by train. The general compartment especially is a startling microcosm of the multi-caste, multi-lingual eclecticism of the country that immediately disarms you with its robust back-thumping welcome. No formalities here as you are expected to roll up your sleeves and join in the abundant overflow of food, drink, conversation. Personal details are unabashedly pried into, common ground or acquaintances traced over a maze of memory, addresses exchanged and promises to visit, made?

A long Indian railway journey is an unparalleled display of the lay of the land. As the train traverses across different states it unfolds a fascinating tapestry of gradually changing landscapes, people, houses, shops and signboards. From my favourite perch, on the steps at the door, I have never failed to harvest intimate glimpses into rural life: a peasant tending his field or enjoying a meal under a shady tree, a young cowherd driving a boisterous herd to pasture, women transporting water over a parched terrain, a herd of deer peeping nervously through dappled afternoon shadows?

And then there are the numerous wayside stations, bustling centers of busy activity. Often no more than small shacks, these centers of village activity can be refreshingly beautiful, shaded by trees and with small well-tended gardens around them. But even more poignant are the isolated rail cabins or outposts that occur, seemingly in the midst of wind swept desolation, as a lone railway official holds out a green flag to give each train an all-clear sign as it hurtles by.

It?s then that it strikes you how this gigantic organization, the Indian Railways, the world?s biggest public sector employer, is so critically dependent for its smooth everyday functioning on all the various little cogs that keep its wheels turning, right down to the guy who covers an allocated distance on foot daily, manually checking the screws in the fish plates to see that everything is right.

A humbling thought really?

About The Author

Roozbeh Gazdar

Copywriter by profession, works for traveljini.com.

seo@traveljini.com

A sleepy island area in the 1970s, Cancun has been transformed into a mega tourist destination. Located on the Caribbean side of Mexico, this resort area has something for everyone.

Cancun

Make no mistake, Cancun is a very tourist friendly destination. Located on the Yucatan peninsula, Cancun is populated with mega resorts and over 20,000 hotel rooms. The economy is based on tourism and the people go out of their way to show tourists a good time.

Cancun proper is actually two distinct areas. Cancun City is located on the mainland and Cancun Island is just off the coast. The island is the stuff of legend.

Cancun Island the classic example of Caribbean beach paradise. Incredibly blue water laps slowly onto insanely white beaches. Light breezes roll in off the water as you lounge on a beach chair and contemplate important things like what you will eat for lunch.

One of the slight downsides of Cancun involves beachfront hotels. They tend to be a bit possessive about the sand in front of them. Put another way, you better be staying at the hotel if you intend to plop down in front of it. Hey, it can?t all be great!

Getting To Cancun

As with any mega resort area, getting to Cancun is very easy. Most major airlines fly into Cancun City and the airport is very modern. You are required to have a passport and must fill out a tourist card at customs. The customs agents are easy going and I?ve never heard of anyone having any problems with them.

If you want to experience a beach vacation in Mexico, you can do worse than Cancun. You will not get much feel for the local culture, but you will definitely enjoy yourself.

Rick Chapo is with NomadJournals.com – makers of travel journals. Visit NomadJournalTrips.com to read more articles about travel Mexico and Adventure Travel.

A sleepy island area in the 1970s, Cancun has been transformed into a mega tourist destination. Located on the Caribbean side of Mexico, this resort area has something for everyone.

Cancun

Make no mistake, Cancun is a very tourist friendly destination. Located on the Yucatan peninsula, Cancun is populated with mega resorts and over 20,000 hotel rooms. The economy is based on tourism and the people go out of their way to show tourists a good time.

Cancun proper is actually two distinct areas. Cancun City is located on the mainland and Cancun Island is just off the coast. The island is the stuff of legend.

Cancun Island the classic example of Caribbean beach paradise. Incredibly blue water laps slowly onto insanely white beaches. Light breezes roll in off the water as you lounge on a beach chair and contemplate important things like what you will eat for lunch.

One of the slight downsides of Cancun involves beachfront hotels. They tend to be a bit possessive about the sand in front of them. Put another way, you better be staying at the hotel if you intend to plop down in front of it. Hey, it can?t all be great!

Getting To Cancun

As with any mega resort area, getting to Cancun is very easy. Most major airlines fly into Cancun City and the airport is very modern. You are required to have a passport and must fill out a tourist card at customs. The customs agents are easy going and I?ve never heard of anyone having any problems with them.

If you want to experience a beach vacation in Mexico, you can do worse than Cancun. You will not get much feel for the local culture, but you will definitely enjoy yourself.

Rick Chapo is with NomadJournals.com – makers of travel journals. Visit NomadJournalTrips.com to read more articles about travel Mexico and Adventure Travel.

If anyone ever asks for the time while on a beach holiday, they surely have a thing or two to learn. Simply put, beaches have a way of holding time on their own accord, and they will undoubtedly insist on taking you with them at their own, leisurely, pace. And why wouldn’t you want to go? White, powdery sand along crystal-clear waters, palm trees for shade, and the sea breeze simply epitomize pure relaxation.

Spend your well deserved time soaking up the brilliant rays and letting go of all your stress, and if your idea of the perfect holiday is to take in all the splendours of the deep blue sea there are countless activities to take part in – including snorkelling, sailing, surfing, scuba diving, and more – all taking place in the sun’s rays of course!

Soon enough you’ll find that the essence of time just seems to roll away with the shells on the shore. And don’t be surprised if you forget what day it is. Sound too good to be true? It’s truly anything but. Whether your idea of the perfect beach holiday is to plunge into the crystal waters of the Bahamas, sink your toes into the idyllic white and black sand beaches of Hawaii, or absorb the warm and tropical paradise that Mexico has to offer, it’s all within reach – and you simply can’t go wrong.

As long as you have set yourself up with nice accommodation in advance, say a hotel on the beach, or something less refined, you can eliminate the final factor which could possibly cause anxiety and ensure that you are completely free to simply relax. There are a range of outstanding locales available to the inquisitive tourist, from tropical terrain to dazzling city coastlines. Visit your agent to catch a glimpse of all the luxurious hotels, fantastic locations, and amazing deals available to you.

When it comes to the wealth of the options you have for beach holidays, go with ‘whatever floats your boat’, but just remember not to let time keep track of you. Lose yourself in a place where the sun and the moon sparkle off warm waters, and where the sound of the waves will lull you to sleep at night. With all that beaches have to offer – surf, sand, sun and relaxation – it’s clear why beach holidays will never become a thing of the past.

So why not make your next holiday a beach holiday? It might be seen as unadventurous, but for relaxing in awe-inspiring sunrises and glorious sunsets it’s tough to beat.

Andrew Regan is an online journalist who enjoys socialising at his local Edinburgh rugby club.

Traveling is one of life’s greatest adventures. It can bring joy to the heart and peace to the soul. Unfortunately, traveling can be an expensive proposition, and one that makes adventurous vacations out of reach for many people. When you take advantage of wholesale travel packages, though, you can go on cruises, relax at resorts, luxuriate in the best accommodations at hotels, and fly with airfares that will make your friends jealous.

Wholesale travel can encompass a variety of vacation experiences. You can stay at resort properties, condo properties, timeshare properties, privately owned properties, vacation homes, or coastal beach homes. The keys to finding great wholesale travel opportunities are understanding how the tourism industry operates and having flexibility in your travel plans.

For example, when you call a resort and ask for room rates, you’ll most likely be quoted what are called rack rates. These are the non-discounted rates that resort properties can charge when they’re almost booked to capacity. In reality, though, resort properties aren’t usually full, and rooms are perishable commodities. If a room goes empty for a night, that represents lost income that the resort can never regain. Wholesale travel packages take advantage of this phenomena and book blocks of rooms at non-peak periods to get the best rates. The resorts readily agree because they need to fill the rooms and they know that guests will spend money on ancillary products, such as restaurant charges, room service, and gift shop purchases.

The same holds true for cruise ships. The ship will sail whether it’s at 80 percent capacity or 100 percent capacity. It behooves the cruise line to offer wholesale travel packages to operators in order to fill the cabins before the ship sets sail.

Other types of destinations work under the same principle, which is why wholesale travel is possible across the board. When looking into purchasing wholesale travel packages, here are some things to consider.

Expiration Dates: Many wholesale travel operators use the voucher system, and some vouchers have expiration dates. Before making a commitment, find out how quickly the vouchers expire, and make sure that the company has a low renewal fee in order to extend the life of the vouchers.

Transferable Vouchers: Some companies do not allow participants to transfer vouchers to friends and family members. When you work with a wholesale travel company, be sure to select one that allows you to transfer your vouchers to others.

Blackout Dates: The tradeoff in wholesale travel is that there are restrictions regarding when you can vacation. You can’t expect to select a popular destination and travel there during peak season. Before signing up for a wholesale travel package, be sure that your schedule is compatible with the travel date restrictions offered by the company.

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Visit this Travel Website and Majon’s Travel directory.