Hobart Meat Grinder

Would you like to build muscle and burn fat while not breaking a sweat? Then swimming is for you! Swimming (laps generally, however water aerobics is increasing in popularity) is one of the best aerobic exercises you can do for your body. Not only is it healthy and fun, but because of equal density between your body and the water surrounding it, there is much less stress on your joints then in a normal workout routine. This fact makes swimming an excellent source of exercise for the elderly and those with disabilities. In fact, water has been used in rehabilitation for years because of this. It is also great for extremely overweight people who need to begin exercising with a low impact workout as to avoid too much stress on their heart and joints.

When you step into the water, the entire pool becomes your exercise equipment. As you swim, the opposing force of the water surrounding you causes your muscles to work harder to move. Even just walking through a pool uses way more muscle then walking on dry land. You will build up your cardiovascular ability as you swim and will tone your entire body. As opposed to running or biking where only your leg muscles benefit, swimming is actually more challenging on your upper body and arm muscles. Many swimmers will even tell you that having extremely strong and overdeveloped leg muscles is a hindrance when swimming as they require more oxygen, taking it away from the more important arm muscles.

Depending on what stroke you choose to do when swimming will depend on exactly what are of your body is being toned the most extensively. For example, if you utilize the breaststroke during your laps, your legs will be moving significantly. If you are using the front crawl, your arms will be doing the majority of the work.

Water aerobics can be seen at almost any gym or resort. It utilizes some of the same movements and exercises as regular aerobics while placing a lot less stress on the joints. As an added benefit, if you work out in a warm pool, the heat of the water can even soothe arthritic joints. You can’t beat a workout that actually makes you feel better afterwards!

Once you start swimming you may get hooked, you can then begin training for swimming contests and have even great goals to strive for. Swimming is one of the best investments you can make in your health.

When you think of sunshine golf locations Spain and Portugal come to mind, but golf holidays in Turkey are going to be catching them up in 2009. This is in part thanks to the huge investment in the country’s tourism that has seen some splendid courses and hotels pop up in recent years. But it’s not just the golf that makes Turkey a quality holiday choice…

The Golf

Golf in Turkey has received massive financial investment, and it’s a testament to how far the country has come in such a short time that the Turkish Golf Federation – only established 12 years ago – have won the rights to host the World Amateur Golf Championship in 2012.

Although courses are being built around the country, I would recommend focusing on Belek with its impressive density of quality courses. The pick of these are National, Sultan and the Nick Faldo course at Cornelia. Gloria New and Old are lovely tracks too. In fact, there’s not a weak one on the circuit and they all provide good holiday golf with the all-important near-guaranteed sunshine. There are enough courses for a fortnight’s vacation and all but the most serious golfer will come away very, very satisfied.

The Hotels

The hotels around Belek really push it from a good to great place for golf holidays.

The hotels offer fantastic facilities and friendly and efficient service for a surprisingly low cost. Worthy of special mention are the impressive six five-star hotels which are well placed for Belek’s courses: The Gloria Golf Resort, the Cornelia Deluxe Resort, Sueni, Kempinski The Dome, Sirene Golf-Hotel and Maritim Pine Beach Resort. Serious rivals to what is offered on the Algarve and Costa del Sol in terms of quality and service.

The Climate

Warm, dry weather is perfect for golf holidays and Turkey doesn’t disappoint. It can be too hot to play in the summer but from February to June and September to November, the weather is ideal and even December and January are a whole lot nicer than the UK spring months!

The Culture

Before you even consider the golf, Turkey has a rich cultural history and it’s a truly amazing experience just to wander the towns and cities taking in the elaborate architecture and cultural heritage. There is a huge amount to take in and the various museums and galleries are great for culture buffs. And for those who want light culture with blissful relaxation, the legendary Turkish Baths are well worth a visit.

The Food

Turkish cuisine is far more than a “kebab”. Meze (or appetisers) is what the country is best for – a choice of hundreds of small dishes ranging from cheese with melon to a variety of stuffed vegetables. You’re sure to find something to your tastes with the huge variety available!

Turkey golf breaks are definitely on the up and the combination of fine golf, great accommodation and culture means that the destination should be on everyone’s lists.

Take a golf holiday in Turkey… Before everyone else does.

Should we stay in a Disney World Hotel? Millions of people ask this question every year. When Walt Disney World opened it had 2 hotels, and it was a long way to the nearest hotel. Through the years a lodging boom has hit Orlando. Now there are over 140,000 hotel rooms which, along with houses for rent, give you a veritable plethora of lodging choices.

While you are visiting Walt Disney World, you should stay in a Disney World Resort. Here’s why -

Convenience – These resorts are more convenient than any other lodging choices you could make. If you are staying in one of their resorts, Disney will get you from your room right to the front door of your park of choice. Disney Transportation has a dizzying array of options to get you to the parks.

Luxury Motor coach (Bus) – Disney has one of the largest bus fleets anywhere. They are clean and comfortable. They run continuously from 2 hours before the parks open to 2 hours after the parks close. The bus service takes you almost to the front gate of each park.
Boat – Disney has the largest private navy in the world. Most of the Deluxe Resorts offer some form of boat service to one or more of the parks. It’s really cool to ride across Seven Seas Lagoon on one of the grand yachts that service the Magic Kingdom resorts.
Walking – Yes, walking. There ares several Disney World Hotel close enough to a theme park where you can comfortable walk right up to the front, or back, gate.

Cost – Believe it or not, staying at a Disney World Hotel can be very affordable. Yes, the Deluxe Resorts are pricey, but the Moderate and Value Resorts offer a good value.

Room only deals – During certain times of the year, you can find rooms at the Value Resorts for as little as $79.00 per night. Discounts on all rooms can reach as much as 20%.
Free dining – Disney also has specials they offer that combine rooms with park tickets and one of the Disney Dining Plans. These specials make a Disney World vacation quite affordable.
Deep discounts on packages – For the last few years, there have been deep discounts available for packages from January to June.

Extras – Disney treats guests right. If you are staying in one of the Disney Resorts you get some perks not available to other guests. Here are a list of the “perks”

Free Parking – Guests in Disney World Hotel get free parking at all the parks and resort areas. Parking at the theme parks costs $16.00 per day (2010 prices).
Extra Magic Hours – Staying in one of the Disney Resorts gets you into the Extra Magic Hour park one hour prior to opening time or up to 3 hours after the park closes to guests not staying in the resorts. Check the park schedules for more information.
Disney Dining Plan – When you book your vacation in one of Disney’s resorts you will be eligible to purchase the Disney Dining Plan. According to Disney you can save up to 40% on your dining during your stay.
Disney’s Magical Express – This a a great deal. Disney will pick you up at the airport, take you (and your bags) to your hotel and return you to the airport when your trip is done. All included in your price. Disney Transportation will cart you and your family around the resort for the whole time of your vacation. All for free.

Magic – Staying in a Disney World Hotel keeps you emerged in magic 24 hours a day. There are so many small magical things in the hotel rooms the is no way to mention them all. Here are a few that help to create a magical environment 24 hours a day -

Decorations – Every room has Disney bedspreads, wallpaper, borders, carpets or a combination of decorations that are sometimes subtle and sometimes outrageous.
Soap, shampoo and such – Each room has the standard hotel room soap, shampoo, and lotions with a Disney Twist. They are packaged in cute boxes.
Wake up calls – Mickey, Minnie or Donald will call your room and wake you up in the mornings. It’s just another small way that the magic surrounds you.

These are just a couple of reasons to say in one of Disney’s great resorts. You won’t regret it.

I recently visited Vientiane which is the capital city of Laos and I was definitely positively surprised by the charming and somewhat unique destination.

There is a heavy French influence in this city and together with the Asian atmosphere it creates a lovely environment.It is a relatively small city and cannot be compared in size to Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur but it does have a lot of historic and cultural sights which tourists can visit.

Buddha Park

The Buddha Park is located just outside of the city and it is filled with Buddhist images and art pieces. Some of the older items date back over five hundred years ago. This attraction is open daily from 09:00 until 16:00.

Lao National Museum

The premier place to learn more about the history and culture of Laos is at the excellent Lao National Museum. A lot of attention is also paid to the general Mekong region and the Hmong which are the local tribe’s people. You will also find a lot of information about the various different wars in which the country has been involved. The Lao National Museum is open to the public daily from 08:00 until 12:00 and from 13:00 until 16:00.

Hin Khana Waterfalls

The Hin Khana Waterfalls is a very popular destination for both local residents as well as tourists. Many local citizens visit this attraction with their family for picnics and lots of activities. There is a wonderful area for swimming and you will find plenty of stands and other hawkers selling a wide range of food items and beverages. You can enter the area daily from 09:00 until 18:00.

Ho Phra Keo

One of the most impressive temples in Vientiane is the Ho Phra Keo temple. It was constructed nearly five hundred years ago by King Xaisetathirat. A wonderful museum is housed inside Ho Phra Keo which displays a lot of historic religious and cultural Lao artifacts

Golf Courses

If you enjoy playing golf then there are a number of well maintained and rather inexpensive golf courses which you can visit during your vacation. One of the most popular golf courses in Vientiane is the KM6 course which is visited by many of the local expats.

It is the cosmopolitan centre of the Cyclades complex. Its reputation has spread during the last years owed to its unparalleled landscape, its archaelogical sites, its cosmopolite environment and its glorious beaches. White-washed, cube-shaped houses are scattered all over the island, narrow down streets in the city, chapels & picturesque tavernas hide amongst art galleries & stores selling jewellery, souvenirs etc.

Styles that sweep across the global scene are born in the vivid nightlife of this contemporary resort. An island of luring and tempestuous reputation like Mykonos, with high tourism & a rather superficial lifestyle, inevitably has each fans and critics.But even the most unsuspicious visitor immediately understands that Mykonos is not just a crazy “bon-viveur”, but likewise an attractive, picturesque island with white Chora apart the crystal-clear blue waters of the Aegean.

Because it is so famous, Mykonos gets really overcrowded in the period of high season but for those who enjoy the crowd, great fun & all night long entertainment, Mykonos is the idealistic place for vacations.

The beach of Platis Yialos is first of the most mainstream beaches of the island, it is full organized, offering sun beds, umbrellas, & water sports installations. Its golden sand and marvellous turquoise crystalline waters attract thousands of people in the period of summertime time. It is approachable by local bus departure each half an hour from Chora. From Platis Yialos beach, regular taxi-boats go to the beaches of the southern coast which are Paranga , Agrari , Elia , Paradise & Super Paradise.

Agrari and Elia are placed one next to each other, forming a huge sandy beach, 10 kilometres from Chora. Elia is the longer sandy beach of Mykonos, fully organized, offering a wide selection of taverns & bars as well as water sports installations. Agrari Beach is less popular than its neighbour & much calmer. They each may likewise be reached out by local bus.

Paradise is one of the most famed beaches of Mykonos, pulling in mostly a young crowd by its twenty-four hours music and its day and night beach parties. Paradise beach is set between Paranga Beach & Super Paradise Beach & is approachable by a pathway from Platis Yialos, by bus or by taxi-boat.

The notable Cavo Paradiso which is a big building complex working like a night club, holding a pool, a restaurant and a beach bar, is placed on a hill, higher up the beach. By night, Paradise Beach transforms into a very big club with music & people dancing on the sand and the rocks till dawn.

In Mykonos the party begins with a toast to the sunset in Little Venice & continues through the night at the dance clubs and bars tucked away in city or even by Paradise Beach. Worth a visit? It sure does!

Thailand is called the land of smiles and for a good reason. Like all medical care, cosmetic surgery in Thailand is inexpensive and of a high quality.

Cosmetic Procedures in Thailand

Cosmetic surgery can be an expensive and time consuming experience. When choosing to have a cosmetic procedure, you need to weigh all of your options carefully before committing to having the procedure done. While many people will save their money for years in order to get their cosmetic surgery done by the most trendy doctors in places like New York City and Los Angeles, other patients have found a way around this long wait and expense. More and more, people are taking vacation trips to other countries and combining these trips with cosmetic surgery procedures.

When it comes to taking trips for cosmetic surgery Thailand has been at the forefront of this trend. Since the early 1990’s, tourists have been flocking to Thailand for the care of their cosmetic surgeons, clinics, and posh recovery sites. The favorable exchange rate with Thailand combined with less expenses incurred by the surgeons means that patients who choose to have their procedures done here will pay far less than what they would in the United States. Phuket, an island resort in Thailand, has been offering their special brand of cosmetic surgery and vacation atmosphere to patients for years.

When choosing cosmetic surgery, Thailand offers a lot more than just a cheaper place to have your procedure done. Surgeons at the Phuket Cosmetic Surgery Clinic are also world-renowned for a special type of cosmetic surgery – sex reassignment, or sex change, surgery. They are one of the few clinics in the world that offer this type of surgery, but they are certain not to take such a change in their patients’ appearance lightly. Anyone who wants sex reassignment surgery performed here must pass rigorous psychological studies and medical testing before the surgeons will consent to the procedure. Of course, the doctors of Phuket and other cities in Thailand perform many other types of cosmetic surgery, and the country also offers some of the best spa retreats in the world where you can relax and recover from your surgery in style.

You can also entertain yourself with the many cultural activities that Thailand has to offer, but you must remember some items before planning your trip. There is always some risk to cosmetic surgery, whether you choose to have it performed in the US or Thailand, so be careful to research your doctor and clinics thoroughly before leaving for your trip. Another issue may arise in the language barrier – be sure that you will have a translator available to help you communicate with medical staff, or that they speak English. Almost all of them speak great English, but we are talking about surgery here. If you keep in mind these few precautions, you can be sure your trip will be a successful one.

Truth be told, I have never had cosmetic surgery in Thailand. When I go every few years, however, I do have a checkup, get my teeth cleaned and so on. The medical care is excellent and inexpensive. Oh, the beaches aren’t to bad either!

South-East Asian city Bangkok presents varied many attractive destinations which prove its diverse culture and interest. Bangkok is the great place for fun and entertainment. Shopping in Bangkok can be a great happening moment as its grand shopping malls proffers international brands of clothes and other luxurious accessories. Have a great time in Bangkok by arranging your stay in one of the 5 Star Hotels In Bangkok.

The popular locations of Bangkok city offer various luxury motels and resorts. The clean and comfortable accommodations with world class facilities are the main feature of 5 star hotels in Bangkok. Such hotels features personalized services and warm hospitality. The luxury hotels like 5-star Grand Millennium Sukhumvit Hotel and Grande Centre Point Ratchadamri Hotel are worth to mention. The locations of these hotels are at the close proximity of tourist attractions and commercial centers. So, the tourists can have an access to explore those places.

The beautifully and tastefully decorated hotel rooms reflect the image of Thai architecture and style. Perfect array of comfortable stay is the prime factor of Bangkok’s luxury star hotels. The hotels also have recreational centers like spa center, fitness center, swimming pool, bar, lounge, etc. The tasty Thai cuisines and comfortable accommodations will definitely make you stay in Bangkok a memorable one.

Phuket is another alluring tourist destination of Thailand. This largest island presents a picturesque view of the Andaman Sea. Holidaymakers find this place as a sheer beauty of paradise on earth. This beautiful island province is home to many luxury and cheap hotels. Five Star Hotels have its unique charm to attract the visitors. The long beaches of Phuket with its cozy atmosphere will mesmerize you calmly. Look forward for a great summer holiday at Phuket.

Accommodations of Phuket include all kinds of hotels. Luxury travelers can opt for 5 Star Hotels In Phuket for such hotels are especially designed for honeymoon makers or other luxury guests. Located on the backdrops of natural scenery such motels and resorts of Phuket feature all kinds of modern facilities.

INTRODUCTION

Kuala Lumpur (or “KL” in short) is one of the cheapest cities in Asia for a vacation. Foreign currency exchange rates of the Pound Sterling and US Dollar, for instance, as against the Malaysian Ringgit are highly favourable. Backpacking is popular as the city has a very low crime rate and English is widely spoken. If you need directions, or wish to order food from a hawker stall rest assured that someone will be able to communicate with you in English. However, some planning is in order to stretch your vacation money to the maximum if you are a backpacker.

CHEAP AIR FARES

Malaysia’s AirAsia and Singapore’s SilkAir are two low-cost carriers that can fly you cheaply from many destinations around the world to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore respectively. (From Singapore, you can take a bus or train to Kuala Lumpur). For details of the flight schedules and fares of AirAsia and SilkAir, please check their websites. Another Malaysian budget airline is Fireflyz which caters mostly to domestic destinations in the country; however, it links Kuala Lumpur with Medan and Bandar Acheh (both in Indonesia) and Phuket in Thailand.

To get the best prices for budget airlines, bookings have to be made at least a few months ahead. It is also best to avoid the Malaysian school holidays which fall during December, mid-March and mid-August.

The airplanes of AirAsia land at the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) about two kilometres from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) at Sepang, which is 60 km from Kuala Lumpur. The cheapest way to get to KLIA from the LCCT is by shuttle bus operated by two companies; namely Nadi KL and Airport Liner. Fare is only RM 1.50 per person per way. The pick-up point is from Platform 8, bus station at Ground Floor, Car Park C. Frequencies of the buses are 15 – 20 minutes. From KLIA, the economical way to get to the capital is by airport coach. Fireflyz’s aeroplanes land at Sultan Abdul Aziz Airport in Subang, about 15 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur.

WHERE TO STAY

The most popular area for backpackers to stay in KL is Chinatown. Its heart is Jalan Petaling (Petaling Street). Accommodation ranges from simple bed-and-breakfast inns with communal bathrooms to one-star and two-star hotels that are air-conditioned. (Hotels in Malaysia are rated by a star system, ranging from one to a maximum of five stars; those without any star rating are classified as “budget”). Another advantage of staying in Chinatown is its closeness to Puduraya bus station. This is the main station for buses going to other cities in the country. Chinatown is also within walking distance to the KL Monorail station on Jalan Maharajalela and also the STAR Light Rail Transit station near the Central Market. Chin Woo Stadium which has a swimming pool that is open to the public for a nominal fee is just 20 minutes away by foot from Jalan Petaling. Perched atop a hillock, it is a great place to cool down after a day of hectic sightseeing.

My second recommendation for accommodation is Brickfields, near Stesen Sentral (Central Station), which is the city’s rail transportation hub. All Light Rail Transit (LRT) trains stop here, including the KLIA Ekpres that plies to and from Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The five-star Hilton Kuala Lumpur and Le Meredian are located within the complex. However, just across Jalan Tun Sambanthan are affordable accommodations. They include Hotel Summer View, De Sentral Hotel, Mexico Hotel and Hotel Florida to mention but a few — they all come with air-conditioning and attached bathrooms. A few inns that one rung down the price ladder are also available, including the YMCA. The negative point about this area is the lack of evening activities. Also, food is mainly confined to vegetarian eateries and Indian fan-ventilated restaurants serving banana leaf curry rice.

A useful contact is the Malaysia Budget Hotel Association at No. 52 Tengkat Tong Shin, 50200 Kuala Lumpur. Tel: +603-21412313. Fax: +603-21439313. Email: mbha1 @tm.net.my. Website: budgethotel.org.my

WHERE TO EAT

Finding cheap and hygienic food is probably the least of all problems for backpackers. Countless alfresco stalls are found in hawker centres. Two popular havens for cheap hawker food are Jalan Alor and Jalan Petaling. A meal with a fruit juice or soft drink can cost as little as RM6! For more comfort, go to the food courts of shopping complexes, which are often tucked away in the basement. Fast food outlets such as McDonald, Pizza Hut, Domino’s Pizza, Kentucky Fried Chicken to mention but a few are scattered in many parts of the city. For Indian fare, go to Lebuh Ampang; Malay food is aplenty in the districts of Chow Kit and Kampung Baru. Avoid 24-hour Mamak (Indian Muslim) eateries unless you want to take the slight risk of a stomach upset. The food (fish, chicken, squid, etc) on display in glass containers in such eateries may have been heated and re-heated umpteen times. Order something that is cooked on the spot instead such as fried rice, fried noodles or chicken chop to guarantee that what you eat is fresh. To cut costs on food, my recommendation is to try roti canai (a type of pancake) in the morning which can cost as little as RM1.50 per piece. Variations such as roti canai with egg, sardine or banana are also available. Two or three pieces washed down with the “teh tarik” (literally means “pulled tea” ) will give you sufficient fuel for your tramping around. All major shopping complexes also have food courts that offer local food at decent prices.

TRAVELLING AROUND

Travelling around KL by taxi can be an expensive affair. The fare meter keeps ticking even though the vehicle is stuck in a massive jam, and this can burn a hole in your pocket. A ploy by a few black-sheep drivers is to take the longest possible route to your destination. Worst, a few drivers may refuse to use the meter and insist on an exorbitant flat fee. On rainy days, especially, it is a take-it-or-leave-it situation. Remember, there is also a surcharge for travelling after midnight and for putting luggage in the boot.

Though buses cover most parts of the city, it can be difficult for foreigners to find out the routes of each bus. Most buses don’t have conductors, and passengers drop the correct fare in coins into the ticket vending machine. If you drop in excess fare, you will not be given any change.

Despair not! The city has a network of train systems (referred to as Light Rail Transit or “LRT” in short) that run on elevated rails, (and sometimes underground) that can whizz you from one part of the city to another, whereupon you can take a short stroll to your desired destination. Rail maps showing the different stops can be found in all the train stations. Services usually start from 6am till midnight. Three LRT trains are in operation: STAR LRT, Putra LRT and KL Monorail. They each have a different route but you can change trains at Stesen Sentral (Central Station).

AFFORDABLE SHOPPING COMPLEXES

Avoid all shopping malls in the city’s Golden Triangle unless you just aim to browse around. This area is bounded by Jalan Bukit Bintang, Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan Raja Chulan. Tucked within the area are Lot 10, KL Plaza, Sungei Wang Plaza, BB Plaza, Low Yat Plaza and Starhill Shopping Complex that are targeted at middle- to upper-class shoppers. The same advice applies to the highly popular Suria KLCC in the podium block of the PETRONAS Twin Towers and Mid Valley on the Federal Highway. However, affordable shopping complexes can be found around Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, nicknamed “Kuala Lumpur’s “Golden Mile”. They include Pertama Complex, Campbell Complex, and independent stores such as Mydin and Globe Silk Store. In the fringe of Chinatown, Kotaraya Complex, UDA Ocean and S&M Shopping Arcade also offer excellent for value-for-money buys. Not to be missed is Jalan Petaling, which is chocked with stalls selling almost everything, especially cheap imitations of prestigious watches and leather goods as well as pirated VCDs of the latest Hollywood movies. Haggling is the order of the day. Highly popular with tourists, Central Market on Jalan Hang Kasturi specializes in collectibles, souvenirs and also has an excellent food court. Cultural performances are also held at scheduled times, and best of all, they are free. Haji Taib Hawker Centre in Chow Kit is good for jeans and second-clothes but the area suffers from a bad reputation. “Pasar malam” or “night markets” are held in Kampung Baru and Lorong Tuanku Abdul Rahman every Saturday evening. These spots offer excellent opportunities to try local fare at dirt-cheap prices.

TRAVEL LITERATURE

There is no need to throw away your hard-earned money on expensive travel guides. You can get free travel literature such as maps and brochures from tourist information centres operated by Tourism Malaysia. They are located as follows:

Stesen Sentral (Central Station)

Lot 21, 2nd Floor, Arrival Hall, Kuala Lumpur City Air Terminal, Stesen KL Sentral, 50050 Kuala Lumpur, Phone: +603-2272 5823

Kuala Lumpur International Airport

Visitor Service Centre, International Arrival Hall, KLIA, Sepang 64000, Selangor

Phone: +603-877 656 47 / 51

Malaysia Tourist Centre (MTC)

109 Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur 50450

Phone: +603-9235 4848 / 9235 4900 Fax: +603-2162 1149

(Tourists are allowed a maximum of 20 minutes free internet surfing here!)

Putra World Trade Centre

Level 2, Putra World Trade Centre, 45 Jalan Tun Ismail, PWTC,

50480 Kuala Lumpur

Phone: +603-2615 8540 Fax: + 603-2692 4554

(Note: Putra World Trade Centre is located next to the Best Western Premier Seri Pacific Hotel).

Another helpful spot is Kuala Lumpur Tourism Association (Tel. no. +603-22871830), which is head-quartered in a charming wooden shack in the grounds of the National Museum on Jalan Damansara.

IF IN DOUBT, ASK, ASK, ASK!

Kuala Lumpur has a sizeable population of Bangladeshi, Indonesian, Vietnamese and Myanmar contract workers. Most of them work as waiters, petrol pump attendants or retail sales persons. Avoid asking for information or directions from such foreigners. Also, avoid touts who offer to take you on a walkabout. The most reliable sources of information are front liners in the tourist information centres, and personnel manning information counters in shopping complexes. The owner of the budget hotel you are staying can also provide useful advice. A word of assurance is in order: Kuala Lumpur has a Tourist Police unit that has a high profile in the Golden Triangle, so your safety is highly assured. Enjoy your stay in Kuala Lumpur and happy backpacking!

The Al-Nitaq Festival of Art takes place annually during February or March in the vibrant city of Cairo. It showcases visual art, music, film, theatre and poetry in venues throughout the city. The Nitaq is a unique event in the city and provides an inside look at the artistic culture of Cairo. In a city with such a rich history, it can be hard to find time to appreciate the modern culture and society. This event acts like a window into the more modern cultural scene and should not be missed.

A quiet excitement permeates the downtown area during this gala. Visual art, especially multi-media installations, dominates the scene. The event brings art to life, joining with the pulse of the city and of art lovers who provide the impetus for this festival. A stream of local aficionados and interested tourists flow through downtown galleries and cafes, creating a small community of artists and appreciators which lends an ambiance to the city.

During the festival, the historic Townhouse Gallery and other small, privately-owned spaces showcase local artists, while cafes and cultural centres are transformed into theatres for drama, music and poetry readings. Aside from visual art, visitors can enjoy films and lectures about Egyptian life and culture, poetry from local writers, as well as traditional and international music.

Al-Nitaq was Cairo’s first arts festival and was initiated by three private galleries, namely, the Espace Karim Francis, the Mashrabiya Gallery and the Townhouse Gallery. These three continue to be pivotal participants in the festival. The fair first ran in 2000 and 2001, but was abandoned for several years due to complicated cultural politics. Happily, it was resumed in 2007, and will go on for its fifth showing in 2009.

Private galleries have provided the momentum and space for innovation in Cairo’s art scene, which is dominated by state-run galleries. Most of the funding for art comes from the Ministry of Culture, but the state sector tends to favour traditionalism in artistic styles. This is evident in the contrast between the larger state-run Biennele art festival, and the smaller but more vibrant Al-Nitaq.

The Nitaq festival is a celebration of new ideas and alternative medias. It stimulates motivation and funding for new styles and approaches to art. Here you can become acquainted with up-and-coming as well as established Egyptian artists. Many artists who participate in Al-Nitaq later go on to showcase their work internationally. The festival provides great exposure for local artists and supports Cairo’s art scene.

Scuba diving is one of the greatest underwater adventures you can ever experience. This ever growing sport requires specialist training and equipment, such as breathing apparatus along with a good knowledge of what and how to do it. The word scuba itself is derived from the underwater breathing apparatus, as a generality there are two types of scuba diving, being that of professional diving and that of recreational diving. Usually recreational scuba diving is performed in open waters near reefs and coral plantations. It is obviously far more pleasurable to perform this diving in the clear tropical waters around the planet.

These crystal tortoise warm waters are so clear you can see all inhabitants and offer a fabulous and splendid experience. There are many more and various famous scuba diving locations, seas and oceans around the world where you can enjoy these nice experiences and have super fun during your diving holidays. You can research find your own ideal spot for diving, where you will be very comfortable as it will be your choice, somewhere where you can come back time and time again. Or if you like diversity, you can change diving locations and find something new and more interesting and exciting somewhere else every time you want to dive.

But, you have to remember to take time with you all necessary scuba equipment- scuba diving suit and all the necessary diving accessories, including breathing apparatus and of course your PADI certificate that shows the dive master that you are qualified to dive.

Scuba diving is a great fun but you have to understand safety point in scuba diving. If you keep to the rules scuba diving will become one of the most exciting and thrilling experience in your life, but please take all the necessary precautions to heart and diving safety rules will become second nature. Instructors are available for at all of the diving holiday resorts around the world, they are there to help you gain your certificate so that you will be able to dive in open waters. You will normally take these fun courses in the hotel or resort pools or in closed water areas where you can follow all diving instructions and practice your techniques.

So you will be ready to freely dive into Open Ocean, you will have this wonderful feeling and be able to embrace the whole ocean and realise the essence and mission of all efforts swimming with creatures of this planet earth. One must remember and fully understand is that the sea is the world for sea creatures not for human beings. It is their world where they live, eat, survive and give birth to the next generations, thus respect their world as you would respect your own front room. You have stepped in their world- their home – their castle, so behave and they will allow you to watch their behavior and beauty as they swim naturally by you.

Hopefully we have teased you into think that diving is a fun thing to do, so why not examine the potential of a marine diving holiday. Discover the beautiful marine life and undergo seawater adventures available today? There are various courses and diving lessons Scuba Diving for Beginners available all over the world.