Travel to Morro de Sao Paulo

One of the most beautiful beaches in Brazil, Morro de Sao Paulo, located on the island of Tinhare off the coast of state of Bahia. The island of Morro de Sao Paulo is all that one would imagine a tropical paradise to be. Apart from beautiful beaches, this island has many good walking and horseback riding tours. Traditionally a peaceful fishing village, it is a 15 minute flight from Salvador. The town is dominated by a lighthouse and the ruins of a colonial fort, a great place to see gorgeous sunsets and dolphins jumping through the waves. Morro during Carnival is the perfect get-away for those looking for a island atmosphere during the Carnival holiday.

Travel to Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and Praia do Forte - Experience Brazil

Brazilians say that God created the world in six days and, on the seventh, he created Rio. With this package you will not only visit the "Marvelous City" of Rio de Janeiro with its stunning Pao de Acucar (Sugar Loaf), the impressive Corcovado (the statue of Christ) white sand beaches and green, granite based mountains, but also two of Bahia's main destinations - Salvador and Praia do Forte. Salvador, Bahia's capital, is known for its history, culture and beauty; and Praia do Forte, a quaint fisherman village, is known for its beaches, restaurants and artisan shops. This package will give you a glimpse of what Brazil has to offer while discovering its rich history, culture and unexplored nature. The package includes comfortable lodging in pousadas and hotels, and cultural and nature tours with private English speaking guides.

Malacca, Malaysia

Melaka, just one and a half hours South of Kuala Lumpur and a two hours drive from Singapore is rich in history, culture, heritage and tradition. Boasting famous historical sites which date back to the 1500s, Melaka is a potpourri of unique cultures and cuisines. Standing in the hub of Melaka city is the Hotel Equatorial Melaka, a 5-star international business class hotel that is within walking distance to the main business, shopping and entertainment districts.

Today, in Malacca, you can still see the imprints of British, Dutch and Portuguese forces left behind in forts, museums, churches and towers. Visit Malacca for the cultural experience of a lifetime.

Pack It Up Travel Tips - by Anne McAlpin

Anne McAlpin offers invaluable travel tips for packing smart. This video includes ideas that are great for new travelers as well as seasoned voyagers.
Anne McAlpin has been a featured guest on Oprah®, The View® and The Today Show sharing up-to-the-minute travel tips. She has flown more than a million miles, traveled in 67 countries and cruised through the Panama Canal 98 times. Anne provides seminars for 500,00 travelers annually.

Mexico city

Honeymoon

Weddings are stressful. No matter how much planning and preparation you do the stress levels never seem to go down. There always seems to be that opportunity for things to go wrong. So why not reward yourself with a fantastic holiday at the end of it?

One of the biggest things the bride and groom have to look forward to is their Honeymoon. Personally I would never recommend delaying the honeymoon particularly for work commitments. You will find you need this time to chill after an enjoyable but stressful period.

The Wedding Day takes so much preparation and planning that the Honeymoon is the ideal way for the bride and groom to relax, de-stress and enjoy their first few days or weeks of married life together.

Where to go on your Honeymoon can be as big a decision as any of the other Wedding Day decisions you have just spent weeks if not months making. Do you both like the same things when on holiday or are you going to have to find compromise with your Honeymoon destination?

Some of the more popular Honeymoon choices are all-inclusive resorts where everything is paid for in advance. For a Honeymoon this can be the ideal choice after the expense of the Wedding. You can order snacks, meals and refreshments without worry about a final bill.

Many people envisage themselves on Honeymoon relaxing surf side with a cocktail in hand, the sun high in the sky and everything done for you. But if that's not your idea of a good time then why not Honeymoon somewhere that little bit different. Honeymoon in the mountains at a secluded ski resort has a certain appeal.

What time of year your Wedding takes place can have a bearing on where you choose for your Honeymoon destination. If you have chosen a winter wedding then you may want to continue the theme whilst on Honeymoon and a ski resort with roaring fire is ideal. Maybe you want the complete opposite and are looking for some winter sun on Honeymoon.

Whatever it is that you are looking for on Honeymoon spending time with your partner after the stress of the Wedding is the most important thing. Use your Honeymoon to unwind and relax and wherever you go.....have a ball!

About the author:
Lorna Mclaren has an information and resources website at www.a1-ourwedding.comwhere you can gather everything you need to make your Wedding Day special!

Luxury Travel Tips

Get the latest tips for traveling in style and Luxury while paying less

Whistle stop tour of New York City

My city break to New York in March.

Travel

Photography Tips While Traveling

Whether you’re embarking on a family vacation or your family reunion, it’s going to be a special time. When we think of trips we’ve taken, we tend to remember them best with photographs. Here’s some ideas to enhance your vacation as well as your memories of them. Location Preparation 1) Since you know where you’re going (that's a minimum requirement), doesn’t it make sense to check out the location before you get there? Create a list of attractions, accommodations, special points of interest, amusement areas, shopping, etc. A good source to help you do this is: the Places and Travel section of msn.com ( http://groups.msn.com/Browse?CatId=179) 2) Figure out the photo opportunities for each appropriate venue. Anyone can take a “that’s nice” picture of the kids at an amusement park. Wouldn’t you rather capture a “WOW” photo that could be hung over the mantle? 3) Depending on the location you’re traveling to, you can see what books are written about them that highlight the best photo opportunities for the entire area 4) If you’re cyber-savvy, start at www.google.com and search using different combinations of: your destination, best photography locations, for images of the location, scenic spots, etc. The options are endless. 5) If you’re off to a non-big city area, scout out the national parks in the area. The great thing about national parks is that the scenery is usually so breathtaking, that a so-so shot looks outstanding, just because of the subject. Once in www.nps.gov, do a search on photos and you will be presented with terrific shots of all the parks Photography Preparation OK, you’re either traveling through or you’re at a wonderful location full of photo opportunities. You began this leg of your trip at the crack of dawn and as you’re pulling into the most scenic overlook for 400 miles, the sun is just starting to crack the horizon. You instinctively pull the car over, grab your camera and your tripod, and look for the best spot to set up. Just one tiny little problem… YOU FORGOT YOUR TRIPOD! Rather than smack yourself on the forehead then, why not plan these things now, before you leave? Your list should include AT LEAST the following consideration… 1) Do I need to repeat – BRING YOUR TRIPOD? It doesn’t take up much room, and as explained at www.best-family-photography-tips.com/tripod-photography.html, tripods allow you to capture entirely new categories of photographs that won’t be possible without one 2) Memory. Of course, bring all the memory you have, but also pack your portable storage device (explained at http://www.best-family-photography-tips.com/digital-photography-tutorial.html) 3) If your camera has a hot shoe, bring your external flash, and any additional equipment that can be used to help with bounce flash 4) Remember your external shutter release cable for those long exposures. How else are you going to get that “angel-hair” look of the waterfalls? 5) Don’t forget the basics like: batteries, battery charger, camera bag, and additional lenses and filters (if applicable on your camera) 6) And just in case you need it, bring the manuals for your equipment. Finally, don’t get so wrapped up in taking perfect shots that you don’t enjoy the trip. Remember to use the tripod so that you'll be in at least some of the photos. Article courtesy of www.best-family-photography-tips.com, where you can see some sample pictures including more photography tips. Copyright 2005 Robert Bezman. All rights reserved. About the Author Robert Bezman is a professional photographer and owner of Custom Photographic Expressions. Robert has created www.best-family-photography-tips.com to help the digital photography users create better photographs. Robert has a blog at http://www.best-family-photography-tips.com/family-photography-news.html

Eurail travel - a way to extend a holiday to Europe

You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included. You can edit it to fit your publication. Most articles are improved by editing. If you can let me know when and where it appears it would be appreciated. You can effectively extend a touring holiday of Europe by several days and perhaps save money. To do it you need a Eurail pass and a little forward planning. This is how it works. With a Eurail Pass you can go from city center to city center in Europe in great comfort at a reasonable price. The key to this is the phrase 'city center to city center'. Consider Paris. The airport, Charles de Gaulle, is 23 km north-east of Paris. If you go by taxi in either direction it costs the national debt and takes 45 minutes. There are regular buses and trains but your journey is never going to be less than 45 minutes. Leaving, you have security to go through and the airlines would like you there well before take-off. At least an hour, sometimes two hours. Thus on any flight you find that as much as six hours, never less than four, are spent getting to the airport, checking in, flying, getting there and collecting your luggage. Then getting to the center of your destination. By train, in every capital in Europe (I have searched and found no exception) you arrive in the center of the city. Yes, you need to be at the train station ten minutes before the train leaves -- make it fifteen minutes to be on the safe side -- and when you get to your destination it is instant arrival. Your baggage is with you and you are there, bang in the center of the city. To test this stay with Paris for the moment. At Easter -- one of the busiest times of the year for Paris -- I arrived at Gare de L'Est, one of the main stations of Paris. In the station was the tourist help desk -- every station in Europe has a help desk. There I explained what I wanted -- an inexpensive (as in under 50 Euros a night) room in a hotel near Place Republique with a view over the rooftops of Paris. And I got it confirmed in ten minutes and went happily on my way. (In passing, it was the most romantic room I have ever had in a hotel anywhere and this was Paris in the spring and the chestnuts were in bloom and, alas, I was alone.) On this trip I traveled from Salerno in Sicily right through Italy and then France, on to Spain to Barcelona to wonder at the work of Gaudi, back to Greece and then up again to Germany to Mainz. I had a lot of ground to cover and this was the best and least expensive and most pleasurable way. I saved a lot of time and a lot of money. (And, if you are interested in old motorcycles you should know that I spent my birthday touring Sicily on a 350cc Royal Enfield which was an exact replica of the sixties model but made in Madras. I could have hired the 500 cc model but thought that going a bit over the top.) You will typically only be dealing with relatively short travel times -- Paris to Lyon is two hours, Amsterdam to Cologne three hours, Geneva to Paris three-and-a-half hours and so on -- and these will be pleasurable experiences because the trains are fast, comfortable (especially in first class) and wonderfully quiet. The best example of the modern trains of Europe are the TGV trains of France, which are part of the EuroCity network. I am writing this while I travel on the TGV express -- TGV stands for Train a Grande Vitesse which translates, roughly, as high speed train -- from Paris to Avignon. The quietness -- we are running on rubber tyres -- is eerie. This is first class, and there is a three seat configuration in the carriage -- two and one. I am in the single seat, which is adjustable and comfortable. There is a tip-down table, on which rests my computer. We are now nipping through the suburbs of Paris at more than 200 kilometres an hour. We will eventually reach our maximum cruise speed, which is more than 270 kilometres an hour. There is no sway, no rattle, no lurch, no jerk. A gentleperson's conveyance for the grand tour of Europe. For trains between big cities, the best bets are the super fast name trains like (ah ! the romance in the names) Catalan Tago, Maria Theresa, Voltaire, Leonardo da Vinci, Etoile du Nord. These are very fast and are almost never late. Sometimes you will use the train only as high-speed, economical and comfortable transport, but at other times the train ride can be a sightseeing trip as well. Bernina Express in Switzerland, the Bergen Express in Norway, the Loisirail in France are examples where the journey is part of the scenic holiday. Important points to remember: • Bear in mind that Europeans very sensibly use a 24-hour clock in matters of this sort. That is: five o'clock in the afternoon becomes 1700 hours and half-past nine in the evening is 2130. Easy once you get the hang of it. • As you start your train journeys you need to have your Eurailpass validated, for which you will have to show your passport. Do it before you get on any train at the information window of any largish railway station. You will be given back your ticket and a validation slip. • Keep your validation slip separate from the ticket. It constitutes proof of ownership. (If you are a worry wart like me, make a photocopy of both straight away and remember to keep the copy in the lining of your suitcase.) • Make sure you go to the right station. Every city in Europe has several different railway stations. This TGV train I am riding started from Gare de Lyon in Paris. But there are six other mainline train stations in that city of light. The concierge at your hotel will advise you. • When you get to the station make sure you get on the right platform and into the right car. The signs are always very clear and railway staff are always most helpful. There will be a board confirming the name, number and time of departure of the train at the entrance to the platform when you get there. • Getting into the right car, as opposed to the right train, is essential; in modern trains it is the car that is sent by computer control to its destination. On the side of every car is an identification panel that tells you the number of the car, where the car is heading and the names of the most important stops on the way. Check the panel carefully and, if you are still in doubt, show your ticket to the conductor of the train and explain exactly where you are going. • Limits. An Eurail pass is for x number of journeys over a given period of time. Do not waste the pass on short trips. Example: I was in Nice and had to go to Cannes. I went by train and bought a ticket. You do not waste your Eurail Pass on journeys on trips that take less than an hour. • Ubiquity. Every station seems to have a Eurail booking desk. Be organized and try and book as far ahead as you can if you want a sleeper. These trains do get fully booked, especially during the holiday season, and the earlier you book, the more certain you are of getting the right train. • Sleep on the train. If it is a very long journey take the evening train and sleep on board. On a first class Eurail tickets the sleeper is part of the package. This has great advantages. It saves you the cost of one night's accommodation and it gets what could be a longish journey over in considerable comfort and style. For example, I went from Salerno in Sicily right up the leg of Italy to Genoa and did it on a night train and slept like a baby. One has to be careful. There is a story about a passionate young couple who used their sleeper not for sleeping. In a moment of ecstasy the young lady hung on like mad to the nearest object. Sadly, it was the emergency stop communication cord. • If possible, take your own snacks. There was a thought in my mind that food on European trains would be a gourmet's delight. In my experience, it is very far from that. On the other hand, almost all station restaurants serve good food at very reasonable prices provided you stay away from the fast food chains. • Get the right stop. As you come into a city make sure you do not get off at a suburban stop which is, typically, the stop before the central station. If in doubt, ask the ticket inspector or the guard. No need to be able to speak the language. Just show your ticket and they will tell you what to do. • Travel light. If you cannot easily carry your baggage you are stuffed. Porters do not exist. Not at any station I have ever seen. • Use all of the pass. When planning your itinerary, be bold. You can go from Greece to Oslo and pretty much everywhere else in between. • Not the UK. All of this applies to Europe except for Britain. A Eurail Pass does not work there. Britain is not part of Europe. Whatever made you think otherwise? Sites which can help Eurail http://www.eurail.com/ It claims, correctly, that it is the only official Eurail site. This is true. But it is not the only site that can give you information. And it is certainly not the only site that can sell you tickets. It does, however, make a very good starting point because from here you can sort out potential timings and itineraries. Europe http://www.raileurope.com/us/index.htm This is not the official site but it might just as well be considered as such. There is nothing about Eurail that it does not know. Europe by Eurail http//www.railpass.com Again, this is a commercial firm selling tickets but that does not stop it having a load of useful information on the site. Boots 'n All Travel http://www.bootsnall.com/eurail/ Would you buy a ticket from a company with a name like that? Let us not be snobbish. It has great expertise on Eurail and its site is very helpful. Eurail Net http://www.eurailnet.com/ Sounds official but it is still a commercial company selling tickets. You will not find much differential in prices between the companies but you will find a wealth of information on sites such as this and work out the most economical pass for your particular trip. About the Author Gareth Powell is a publisher, journalist and author. His travel writings are mainly on http://www.travelhopefully.com.

Must Read Tips For Shopping & Booking Your Travels Online

Booking & shopping online has proven to revolutionize the travel industry. There are many pros to utilizing online booking sites to plan your trip. Bottom line is, it saves you time and money, both important factors when planning your trip.

Before you go booking your trip online, read our tips on doing so to ensure you find the best deals and are protected in the process…

1. Shop around: This has been our motto from the start. We are finding that prices change all the time, so it is important to look around for the best travel deal.

Besides searching our site, we have provided our favorite sites (with reviews) for finding the best deals.

Don't get paralysis on analysis though. We recommend you pick a price (be reasonable though) and search until you find it- once you find it- take it!!

2. The more flexible you are the better: Hey, I know when you travel with kids or a group of people, being flexible isn't an option.

If you can be flexible, it will help, that's all. Things like flying on certain days (like Saturday or mid-week), or specific times (10pm-6am for example) could be a benefit.

3. Join Frequent Flyer Programs: This is a travel tip. You don't have to fly every other month to benefit from these programs. If you use credit cards, you might as well get something back.

Heck, we pay them enough in charges that you deserve something in return. Just pick your favorite airline(s) and sign up for an airline mile card!

4. Read: Sign up for e-zines.

You can set up a free email account if you don't want these piling up in your in-box. Many of them have an opt-out section that allows you to quit receiving emails once you are done.

They usually provide up-to-date alerts on what deals are out there. Also, you might want to look into a few information products about traveling on a budget or getting great deals!!

There are experts out there who have been there and done that and know how to take advantage of great opportunities.

5. Know all the terms and conditions: This is a very important cheap deal travel reminder. For example, you will want to know if your quotes are locked in immediately or how long you have til you must decide, what their refund policy is, cancellation policy, if their site is safe when you enter your information (if you see a golden key or padlock at the bottom in the toolbar, then you will be fine), changes you might need to make, and so forth. You don't want to get trapped into something that you can't get out of.

6. Get Coupons: Getting your hands on coupons can save you tons of money off various travel necessities. You can find valuable money savers with coupon books. Other cheap deal travel tips to consider...

7. Check a few sites & once you find your price, go bid at an auction site like Priceline, at a lower price. 8. Book all in one. Sometimes if you book your airfare, car, & hotel or a combo of the three, you can get a better cheap deal. Don't be afraid to ask!!

9. For flights, you can also do things like get bumped/stay over, fly out of another airport in your region (consider gas & driving and if that's worth it), & consider 1-2 or more connections (no-stop flights can be expensive).

Bonus tips when shopping online in general…

·Do online shopping with companies you know. We provide some places that give you a good start. You can also compare offline or with major retail chain's websites. ·Keep your passwords private and choose them wisely. ·Keep good records. This protects you if something arises. ·Check out the company's security policy and privacy policy. These are typically located at the bottom of the page. Or, look under site map or company information. ·Read the legal terms. These policies let you know what they do with any information you provide. ·Get their contact information. Try it out if need be. Make sure you know how to get a hold of someone. ·Make sure before you purchase, you read their return/refund policies. ·Review all descriptions of products, shipping & handling terms, and any other pertinent information you want to know. This should all be outlined for you.


About the Author

Discount Florida Vacations is a total Florida vacation guide offering fun, sun, tips, ideas, checklists, help, recommendations, resources, and experiences for anyone traveling to Florida. You can find excellent information or plan your trip with us at… www.discount-florida-vacations.com

Airport Travel Tips: Reducing Waiting Times

Key Travel Tips Following these tips will help you reduce your wait time at the security checkpoint. Before you go to the Airport


•Do not pack or bring Prohibited Items to the airport.

•Place valuables such as jewelry, cash and laptop computers in carry-on baggage only.

•Tape your business card to the bottom of your laptop.

•Avoid wearing clothing, jewelry and accessories that contain metal. Metal items may set off the alarm on the metal detector.

•Avoid wearing shoes that contain metal or have thick soles or heels. Many types of footwear will require additional screening even if the metal detector does not alarm.

•Put all undeveloped film and cameras with film in your carry-on baggage. Checked baggage screening equipment will damage undeveloped film.

•Declare firearms & ammunition to your airline and place them in your checked baggage.

•If you wish to lock your baggage, use a TSA-recognized lock.

•Do not bring lighters or prohibited matches to the airport.

•Do not pack wrapped gifts and do not bring wrapped gifts to the checkpoint. Wrap on arrival or ship your gifts prior to your departure. TSA may have to unwrap packages for security reasons. While at the Airport Each adult traveler needs to keep available his/her airline boarding pass and government-issued photo ID until exiting the security checkpoint. Due to different airport configurations, at many airports you will be required to display these documents more than once.

•Place the following items IN your carry-on baggage or in a plastic bag prior to entering the screening checkpoint: oMobile phones oKeys oLoose change oMoney clips oPDA's (personal data assistants) oLarge amounts of jewelry oMetal hair decorations oLarge belt buckles

•Take your laptop and video cameras with cassettes OUT of their cases and place them in a bin provided at the checkpoint.

•Take OFF all outer coats, suit coats, jackets and blazers.

About the Author

Marisol Boatwright is an Independent Travel Agent with Global Travel International. She has years of experience in the travel agency business and wants to help people with their travel needs. Whether it be for hotel or air reservations, auto rentals, cruises, or vacation packages, Marisol will be able to help. http://boatrighttravels.globaltravel.com mailto:boatwrim@bellsouth.net

Travel Agents – Your New Favorite Aunt

When you’re ready to make the most of your next vacation, open your arms to a new member of the family – your neighborhood travel agent. Your travel agent can save you so much time and money while relieving stress that you may want to invite him or her over for next Thanksgiving.

Money is a big part of any travel experience, and the more value you feel you’re getting, the more you’ll enjoy yourself. Travel agents understand this principle more than anyone, which is why they work within your schedule, budget and expectations to produce an incomparable vacation experience.

Doesn’t a family as great as your own deserve an equally great vacation? Contact a trusted travel agent and start planning your great family vacation today.

Benefits of Using a Travel Agent

Save Money! – Strong working relationships with travel suppliers and the latest in computer reservations technology enable travel agents to access the most up-to-date information on how to get you the best value.

Traveler Advocates – Your best interests are the priority. The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) has a long-standing record of fighting for consumer rights and ASTA member travel agents are required to adhere to a strict Code of Ethics.

Convenience – The ASTA membership includes travel agents across the country and throughout the world, most of which offer one-stop shopping for all travel arrangements.
Service – ASTA member travel agents are knowledgeable and active in the industry. The Society provides education, training and resource materials to its members to equip them with the tools to offer the highest quality of service.

Agents Will Go the Extra Mile – Agents work for you and will do everything they can to meet your travel needs. Some agents literally go that extra mile to help their clients. One ASTA-member agent even went to Ethiopia to escort two adopted orphans to the US.

Happy Holiday Travel

One of the country's leading experts on family travel, author and television personality Deb Geigis Berry spends up to 16 weeks on the road each year with her husband and two young children to seek out the best destinations to recommend to consumers. Here are some tips for holiday travel she's picked up along the way.

Keep planning simple: Traveling with kids in tow involves many details. To make the process easier, consider using a travel agent, who can recommend vacation destinations tailor-made for your family's interests and budget, find great deals on airfare and hotels, and fill you in on the latest airport security news.

Make getting to your destination fun: Use time traveling together for zany sing-alongs, family storytelling sessions and scavenger hunts. Parents can draw up a list of things you might expect to see from a car or plane, such as two-toned cows, a car toting a Christmas tree, or a man wearing a red hat, then have the kids vie to see who spots the items first. For the ultimate treat, splurge on a portable DVD player, and watch a new holiday movie in transit, the just-released A Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie is a good bet this winter.

Pack a fun bag: Assemble a bag for each child containing stickers, paper and washable markers, poseable figurines (that don't have a lot of pieces), magnetic games and puzzles, and a pillow. If you use these particular bags for trips only, they'll remain novel, and kids will look forward to the journey.

Break up the trip with frequent stops: Playgrounds, indoor fun centers, and family restaurants are good bets. AT&T Wireless even offers new M-Mode cell phone services that let customers access the locations of nearby fast-food restaurants, movie schedules, restaurant reviews, directions and even weather reports. For more info visit www.attwireless.com/personal/features/mmode/.

Make a memory box: Bring an empty shoebox along to store items you'll collect along the way, such as seashells, rocks, funny postcards, and marked-up road maps. When you get home, label the box with the trip destination and date, and you'll have a great souvenir of your time together.

Travel Malaysia - Getting to Johore

Malaysia is the best location for you to get fun for your holidays. There are many pleace that you just like Johore. How you can getting to Johore?

Via the modern North-South Expressway, the state capital Johor Bahru (JB) is just 220km, a 4-hour drive, from Kuala Lumpur.

KTM

Johor Bahru is the entry point to Malaysia from Singapore. From here, most major cities and towns are accessible via rail.

Air

Located at Senai about 32km from Johor Bahru is Sultan Ismail Airport. Malaysia Airlines flies to JB from Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Terengganu, Kuantan and Kuching. Air Asia flies to JB from Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Terengganu, Kuantan and Kuching.

There is a shuttle coach service to the airport, which leaves from the Water Front City in JB, and services all incoming and outgoing flights between 5.00am and 7.00pm. This coach also picks up passengers from Singapore. Most downtown hotels also organise taxis, limousine and shuttle services.

Bus

Bus services from major cities and towns run several times a day to Johor Bahru whilst making stops at smaller towns and villages on the way.

Taxis

Johor has lots of metered taxis. However, some drivers will take you around for an agreed fare. The fare is about RM20-RM30 per hour for sightseeing.

The Causeway - Linking Johor to Singapore

Construction began on the 1,038m Causeway in 1920 and was completed in 1924. This popular transit point to and from Singapore supports both road and railway links. Parallel to the link are also large pipes that bring clean fresh water from Malaysia into Singapore. Immigration and Customs checkpoints are based at the entrance to the Causeway.

Residents from Johor cross the causeway to work in Singapore daily making this the busiest part of Johor. The Johor Causeway carries some 60,000 vehicles to and from Singapore every day. A nominal toll is charged for all vehicles that enter Malaysia from Singapore.

Despite the availability of other modes of transport like air travel, ferry, railway and a second crossing, the Singapore-Johor Bahru Causeway still remains as the most frequently-used mode for commuting between the two cities. A second bridge links Tanjung Kupang 30km southwest of Johor Bahru, to Tuas in Singapore. This bridge serves as an alternative crossing to the Causeway, and is often less congested.

During the Second World War, the Causeway was partly demolished by the British Army to prevent Japanese soldiers from advancing and invading Singapore. However, the Japanese soldiers soon resolved matters by repairing the broken link and the Causeway resumed its role as an important transport link.

For more informations, click http://johore.blogspot.com

Tour of a Money Belt

European thieves target American tourists. Not because they're mean, but because they're smart. We're the ones with all the good stuff in our bags and wallets. While violent muggings are rare in Europe, you can safely assume you'll be gently, skillfully pickpocketed. The answer isn't fear, but a money belt. Every traveler needs one.

A money belt is a small, nylon-zippered pouch on an elastic belt. Wear it around your waist, completely hidden from sight, tucked into your pants or skirt like a shirttail. At a cost of less than $15, you can protect your travel fortune.

Operate with a day's spending money in your pocket. Consider your money belt as deep storage and dip into it only for select deposits and withdrawals.

Never leave your money belt "hidden" on the beach while you swim. It's safer left in your hotel room.

Packing light applies to your money belt as well as your luggage. Here's what to pack in your money belt:

Passport: You're legally supposed to have it with you at all times.
Plane ticket: Put essential pages in your money belt, nonessential pages (like the receipt) in your luggage.
Railpass: This is as valuable as cash.
Driver's license: This works just about anywhere in Europe and is necessary if you want to rent a car on the spur of the moment.
Credit card: It's required for car rental and handy to have if your cash runs low.
Debit card: A Visa debit card is the most versatile for ATM withdrawals. (I no longer use traveler's checks.)
Cash: Keep only major bills in your money belt.
Plastic sheath: Money belts easily get slimy and sweaty. Damp plane tickets and railpasses can be disgusting and sometimes worthless. Even a plain old baggie helps keep things dry.
Contact list: Print small, and include every phone number or email address of importance in your life.
Trip calendar page: Include your hotel list and all necessary details from your itinerary.

A money belt is your key to peace of mind. If you're pickpocketed, it won't matter. In fact, when you're wearing a moneybelt, having a thief's hand in your pocket becomes just one more interesting cultural experience.

Common Moneybelt Questions:

Are some countries safe?

No. Even in the safest countries, thieves gather where tourists do.

What kind of moneybelt is best?

Anything which ties your essentials to your body under your clothes is fine. We prefer a belt to the around-the-neck pouches.

Will a fanny pack suffice?

No. Fanny packs are popular alternatives to day packs but should never (never, never) be used as a moneybelt. Thieves target fanny packs rightly assuming that many store their valuables inside (and no matter what you may think, you can't feel someone's hand in your fanny pack).

What do you do when you go swimming?

Never hide your moneybelt at the beach. It's safer left out of sight in your hotel room.

What about women?

Many women wear their moneybelt in the back under their skirt or pants. Remember, you keep a day's spending money in your pocket. Your moneybelt is your deep storage for select deposits and withdrawals.

Tourist Scams in Europe

Many of the most successful scams require a naive and trusting tourist. Be wary of any unusual contact or commotion in crowded public (especially touristy) places. If you're alert and aren't overly trusting, you should have no problem. Here are some clever ways European thieves bolster their cash flow. (For more examples, look in the appendix for excerpts from my Graffiti Wall message board.)

Slow count: Cashiers who deal with lots of tourists thrive on the "slow count." Even in banks, they'll count your change back with odd pauses in hopes the rushed tourist will gather up the money early and say "Grazie." Also be careful when you pay with too large a bill. Waiters seem to be arithmetically challenged. If giving a large bill for a small payment, clearly state the value of the bill as you hand it over. Some cabbies or waiters will pretend to drop a large bill and pick up a hidden small one in order to shortchange a tourist. In Italy, the now-worthless 500-lire coin looks like a €2 coin — be alert when accepting change.

Oops! You're jostled in a crowd as someone spills ketchup or fake pigeon poop on your shirt. The thief offers profuse apologies while dabbing it up — and pawing your pockets. There are variations: Someone drops something, you kindly pick it up, and you lose your wallet. Or, even worse, someone throws a baby into your arms as your pockets are picked. Assume beggars are pickpockets. Treat any commotion (a scuffle breaking out, a beggar in your face) as fake — designed to distract unknowing victims. If an elderly woman falls down an escalator, stand back and guard your valuables, then...carefully...move in to help.

The "helpful" local: Thieves posing as concerned locals will warn you to store your wallet safely — and then steal it after they see where you stash it. If someone wants to help you use an ATM, politely refuse (they're just after your PIN code). If a bank machine eats your ATM card, see if there's a thin plastic insert with a tongue hanging out that crooks use to extract it. (A similar scam is to put something sticky in the slot.) Some thieves put out tacks and ambush drivers with their "assistance" in changing the tire. Others hang out at subway ticket machines eager to "help" you, the bewildered tourist, buy tickets with a pile of your quickly disappearing foreign cash. If using a station locker, beware of the "hood samaritan" who may have his own key to a locker he'd like you to use.

Fake police: Two thieves in uniform — posing as "Tourist Police" — stop you on the street, flash their bogus badges, and ask to check your wallet for counterfeit bills or "drug money." You will not even notice some bills are missing until they leave. Never give your wallet to anyone.

Young thief gangs: These are common all over urban southern Europe, especially in the touristy areas of Milan, Florence, and Rome. Groups of boys or girls with big eyes, troubled expressions, and colorful raggedy clothes play a game where they politely mob the unsuspecting tourist, beggar-style. As their pleading eyes grab yours and they hold up their pathetic message scrawled on cardboard, you're fooled into thinking that they're beggars. All the while, your purse, fanny pack, or backpack is being expertly rifled. If you're wearing a money belt and you understand what's going on here, there's nothing to fear. In fact, having a street thief's hand slip slowly into your pocket becomes just one more interesting cultural experience.

So, watch your steps!

Travel Corner

This blog will give you more infomation & tips abaout travel. You must read to get more idea about your holiday travel.

Good luck!