Baja Traveling

Quick, put the fish back in the water!” I
yell to Bill.
A Botox-lipped fish, called a Burrito Grunt,
is flopping around at my feet, covered in sand,
fighting for its life.
A few minutes earlier, high in the horizon, I
watched a cormorant pluck the unlucky fish from
the Sea of Cortez. A large frigate bird with forked
tail feathers then gave chase to the cormorant. It
was like a Discovery Channel scene come alive.
As the made-for-TV action disappeared from
view, I went back to writing in my journal.
Thump!
Smack-dab in front of me, a crater formed
in the sand, a wayward fish at the center. The
cormorant released the fish to me like a tourist
headed home gives away foreign change at the
airport – as if I needed a handout. Alas, Burrito
Grunts do not come wrapped in a tortilla.
Bill, in wildlife rescue mode, transported the
convulsing fish back to the water. We watched
for a few moments and sure enough, the shellshocked
fish shook off the sand and swam away,
no doubt eager to reunite with his schoolmates to
tell his improbable tale. Bill and I high-five one
another—knowing we made a difference in the
life of one troubled pescado.
Yes, you never know when fresh seafood may
drop into your lap when paddling in Baja, even if
you don’t choose to eat it.
Bill and I are near the funky fishing village
of Loreto, 700 miles south of the border on the
Sea of Cortez, on a one-week self-supported
kayaking trip. “Self-supported” means no
motorboats—we travel under our own steam
and carry all our gear. There are 10 of us, plus
three tour guides from our outfitter, Sea Kayak
Adventures.
We will paddle double kayaks into Loreto Bay
National Marine Park, and visit Isla Danzante
and Isla Carmen, both uninhabited wildlife
sanctuaries declared as UNESCO World Heritage
Sites. We will be off the grid—no email, cell
phones, hot showers or flush toilets. Instead,
we’ll reset our priorities to paddling, snorkeling,
hiking, swimming, and, at the end of each day,
reward our burdensome diligence with happy
hour.
At a short orientation the night before our
departure, held at the swanky La Mision hotel
in Loreto, I was given three dry bags with “San
Jose” written on them to hold all my worldly
possessions for the next seven days. Clear
advance instructions were given on what to pack,
so I was prepared. But the choice between Keen
or Teva shoes, a towel or a sweatshirt, continued
to flutter in my consciousness.
Am I really ready for this? Squelching my
lingering doubts, I made my way downstairs to
meet the van that would take us to the launch site
and the adventure of a lifetime.
My paddling partner for most of the trip is
Gary, a tall, strong man in his late-60s who
works as a substitute school teacher. This is his
fourth Baja trip with Sea Kayak Adventures.
He is here along with his two old friends who
together call themselves, Larry, Curly and Moe.
The fact that Gary is a multi-trip repeat customer
comforts my novice apprehensions.
The guides demonstrate how to pack the
watertight hatches of our kayaks with sleeping
bags, pads, tents, and dry bags. I am sporting a
life vest, a broad-brimmed hat reminiscent of
a bee keeper, my Maui Jim shades and SPF-30
sunscreen. Gary sits in front of the double kayak
and I’m in back in charge of working the rudder.
Paddles in hand, we are ready to put civilization
in our wake.
There is nothing like the first time you launch
a sea kayak on open waters. You feel like an
ancient mariner setting out to traverse the sea
to an unknown world. An aboriginal sensibility
overtakes your consciousness and now is all there
is. Gone are thoughts of purpose, expectations,
doubts or even drained energy. The organic
nature of a fresh start takes hold and everything
is possible. Deeper into the journey, I would
see that all of us on this trip are searching for
something: adventure, camaraderie, connection
to sea and sky—all of it coalescing in this
nascent exploration into the wilderness.
After two hours of paddling, we make our
first landfall: Isla Carmen, a rugged desert island,
the largest in the area at over 18 miles long. We
pull out on a sandy beach of sea shells and coral.
Group protocol has us carry the heavily loaded
kayaks above the high-tide line in teams of six
to eight. At around 200 pounds each with food
and water, they are gut-busters. Next, we unpack
the group gear and then our personal belongings.
This gentle rhythm of collaborative routine
establishes itself early on. We will paddle for
two hours every morning and two hours every
afternoon.
The ratio of our three tour guides – Ray, Vlady
and Edgar – for 10 clients means one of them is
always available for hiking, snorkeling, cooking
or mischief-making. The camaraderie between
these tres amigos is genuine and heartfelt. They
are a winning combination of efficient work,
organization and playfulness. It’s obvious they
like each other and their work. Vlady teases
us with his colorful gringo-Spanish greetings:
“Hola Coca Cola! Que pasa calabassa? Nada
Limonada.”
Asked if he ever gets tired of the guide’s life,
Vlady replies, “Never, I love my office.”
Mealtime provides opportunity for a number
of trip highlights. Our first two dinners were
Pescado Veracruz and Pollo Mole made with a
spicy Oaxacan chocolate sauce. After that, all
meals are vegetarian; keeping meats fresh after a
few days in this remote setting and warm climate
is not feasible. However, we have fresh fruit at
every meal – papaya, melon and pineapple – and
vegetables – zucchini, cucumber and chayote.
My favorite dinner is tortilla soup made in a
chicken broth with carrots, jicama, onions,
tomatoes, and served with avocado and salsa.
I don’t know what made me happier: holding
a steaming bowl of hot soup while the sun set
after a long day of paddling, or watching Vlady
and Edgar prepare this savory dish shirtless,
with only aprons and board shorts covering their
bronzed bodies.
At night, the sky comes alive with stars. First
Venus appears, then the constellations of Orion
and Taurus, then the Big Dipper. Voila! The
Milky Way opens up in striking wonderment.
My reptilian brain knows the stars are always
present, I’m just not aware of it on a daily basis.
Every night in the Baja wilderness I would
remain awestruck for a moment as the celestial
heavens penetrated my being.
I am also introduced to a new natural wonder:
bioluminescence. At night, the marine life
emits light as a chemical reaction resulting in
thousands of dancing lights near the water’s
surface. Like fireflies on water, tiny light-beings
boogy-woogy to nature’s rhythms. I look up
and see luminous stars, then look to the sea and
marvel at nature’s mirror. I ponder the literal and
figurative lightness of being. If illumination is
above and below me, then does the luminosity
also dwell within me? I exhale a deep existential
sigh and am filled to the brim with trust that all is
as it should be.
It is 9 p.m. I reckon in camping time that’s
nearly midnight. I step into my one-person tent,
blow air into my sleeping pad, unroll my bag
and make a pillow out of my fleece jacket. I zip
up the tent after bringing in my hiking shoes—
scorpion abatement control; these Baja natives
like to crawl inside things. I power off my
headlamp and fall asleep to the sound of waves
gently lapping the shore, lulling me into a deep
restorative slumber. My head hits the pillow and
I am out, dreaming of bioluminescence and the
magic of the sea.
I wake to the sound of clanking lids on pans
and a propane tank firing up. The smell of freshbrewed
coffee lingers in the salty morning air.
The kayaks wait patiently on the high-tide line
like sentinels on Easter Island, ready to come
alive. Tent zippers open and achy, sleepy bodies
emerge one by one. The ethereal morning light
on the canyon walls expose striations in the rock.
A pelican skims straight as an arrow over the

Travel to Spain

2. Evaluate your current spending habits: Maybe you spend very little money each month personally, but other people within your business make purchases. Business credit card accounts are available where all the points accumulate in aggregate. Instead of having others spend on their personal accounts and submit expense reports for reimbursement, consider multiple cards on the business name. Recognise when the use of a credit card is better for you and your suppliers than buying on terms. Personal accounts can also accumulate on the same bank and be merged with business accounts.

3. Find the credit card that gathers points from your favourite merchants: Business agreements are valuable commodities, and special rates for frequent business travellers are set to earn loyalty. Hotels, car rental companies, restaurants, and every other service business wants repeat customers. Business reward points are not created equal. Some banks offer more points for staying at a certain hotel than another bank. Understand that one point varies in value when added to the account and when that same point is redeemed. Look for the credit card point program that already offers points from your favourite places. Know what other companies might also add points to your balance and visit a new place each month. You will have new experiences and increase your point balance.

4. Actively manage your reward points accounts: Never let points expire and disappear. Those points cost money to accumulate and have value up to a certain date. Track the expiration dates and cash in on the rewards about 60 days before the date. Keep those points “free” by paying off the entire balance every month. The quickest way to devalue your points is to pay a bill late or pay interest on the account balance. Most banks will freeze your reward points if the payment is not received prior to the due date. Use fewer credit cards so the balance on each account rises more quickly and rewards are available sooner. Five cards used to accumulate 100 points each do not have the same redemption value as one card with 500 points.

5. Redeem points for the best value and know the reward and redemption thresholds: As you spend more on the same credit card, the number of points rewarded increases in some programs. Redemption thresholds change the value of the points accumulated as well. Study the rewards offered and exercise patience to redeem the best reward for the number of points surrendered. Avoid cashing points in for merchandise because the points required are rarely optimised in comparison to paying cash for the same item. When redeeming miles for flights, look closely at international deals because some flights cost thousands of dollars, but can be redeemed for reasonable point balances. Some banks will allow the combining of multiple accounts for larger balances and rewards.

Muskoka Getaways

The Couples Resort
&
Algonquin Spa

Canada Select 5 StarOntario Canada Spa

"Romance Should Always be so Tempting"

Calming, Time to Slow down & Relax, enjoy your own Wood Burning Fireplace!

1st Class, Awarded - 5 Course Gourmet Dining
Booking On-line. November Packages from $69 pp/n, INCLUSIVE with a 5 Course Dinner & Breakfast in Bed or served - Click Here

Take a Holiday Vacation in Canada at Ontario's 5 STAR. Ultra Luxury in Algonquin Park Muskoka Region, Romantic Couples Resort with 5 Course Gourmet meals Included. Muskoka's 1st & Only 5 STAR. Canada's 1st & Only 5 STAR Couples only Resort. Leading Spas of Canada member. We like to excel so that your mini getaway, holiday or vacation will be considered your "gem", a gem to share stories of (not all stories), with your friends when you return home again.

Here, at this exclusive Ontario resort located in Algonquin Park Muskoka Region, we combine the ultra luxury of one of Canada's finest holiday vacation resorts with the pristine nature of Ontario's majestic Algonquin Park. We are like a Luxury Inn and Spa with way too much to do. Endless nature and sports activities, see our 'winter soft adventure' and 'green soft adventure' web links. Pampering Organic Spa treatments see our 'Algonquin Spa" web link. 5 Course Gourmet dining by our Team of Chefs, 1st Class with crystal, linens and Silver cutlery see our 'Gourmet Dining' web link.

Catering to only 46 couples with about 80 Staff members allows us to treat you right. An intimate romantic interlude for two designed to rekindle the passion while connecting with refreshing nature. Great for Anniversaries and Birthdays. Great for Honeymoons as we are a Canada leading destination for having the most luxurious Honeymoon in Canada, so also the best in Honeymoon in Ontario. 'Just Needing Too' getaway we have rates so low in the late fall through the winter and spring you will decide to make us your cottage away from home. Cottage life here will be a perfect holiday vacation with out the work.....imagine it now.
"It is here that couples come to relax, embrace love and find the time to share an adventure. This is quite literally the hottest place to be in all four seasons, with 10 saunas, 27 walk-in steam rooms, 21 walk-in euro-showers, 23 outdoor hot tubs and 48 in-room Jacuzzi tubs each in front of a wood burning fireplace."

Haliburton Cottage Resort - Canada Vacations in the Country

Haliburton Cottage Resort - Canada Vacations in the Country

Water toys Holidays with Kids Haliburton Resort - The Loralea Country Inn Resort is your family getaway and Ontario cottage rental location, a cozy weekend holiday spot for great Canadian Holidays with pets while enjoying your winter family vacation and summer fun on the beach.

All Seasons - Enjoy a romantic stay in studio cabins or a summer break in our two and four bedroom country cottages. This family resort is open winter, fall, spring and summer, plan your weekly summer vacation for families in July and August and romantic weekend getaway cabins for couples on Halls Lake in the Haliburton Highlands region of central Ontario Canada.

A Quiet Country Resort - Vacation with Kids - Four acres surrounded by huge white pines, oak, maple and birch trees located on crystal clear Halls lake which is one of the deepest, great for swimming, boating and fishing for lake trout and small mouth bass. Activities on site - badminton, volleyball, horseshoes and shuffleboard.

Child Friendly Beach Sandy and SafeOntario Resort offering comfortable pet friendly cottages for rent in Ontario, most with fireplaces for those romantic get aways, prompt service and good old fashion hospitality at an affordable price. We provide clean cabins and weekend cottages to rent for couples to enjoy your leisure time away from work and the city life. We encourage a quiet relaxing atmosphere while on your weekend holiday resort stay which is located near recreational activities that would make any summer family vacation 2010 or winter break a time to remember, giving quality time with parents, relatives, friends and children.



Reunions and Group Vacation with Kids - The Loralea is your finest reunion holiday spot for groups of 25 to 35 people, when you rent the whole family resort this gives us the flexibility to cater directly to family reunions, winter retreats and group country vacation in Canada - close to Algonquin Park, Santa's Village and the Haliburton Forest Reserve.
Why Stay at the Loralea

* Country Cottage Rent Canada's Vacation spot with petsSmall cozy Ontario Resort, group activities and not over crowded
* Halls Lake is 3 miles long, deep, clean and peaceful
* Easy to find, country living but close to shopping
* We're noted for a relaxing atmosphere not loud parties
* Plenty of activities on site - Canoes and paddleboats
* Close to hiking, snowmobile, ATV and mountain biking trails
* No central firepits, we all have our own in Spring, Summer and Fall
* Clean cottages and cabins and we expect the same in return
* Safe swimming for children, sandy beach area for summer fun
* Fishing and boat docking, boat for rent from local marina
* Screened dining tents
* Pet Friendly Resort but rules apply for comfort of all

Office Furniture

The survival strategy for office-furniture dealers during the recession can be boiled down to one word: diversify.

From the biggest dealers to smaller firms, the key to generating revenue has been pursuing new clients in different ways.

Dealers have been forced to adapt throughout the industry because of weaker demand.

Total U.S. sales of office furniture dropped 29 percent last year, to $9.23 billion, its lowest level since 1994, according to the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer’s Association in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

“The dealers that are most successful are the ones well-diversified and who went into this downturn with a strong balance sheet,” said Chris Bates, president of the Office Furniture Dealers Alliance in Alexandria, Virginia.

For W.B. Mason, a $750 million company, the downturn was a chance to build up its staff and prepare for the eventual rebound.

Overall sales last year were flat, a big departure for a company accustomed to annual growth rates of 20 percent to 30 percent. Sales figures include office supplies other than furniture.

“Being around over 100 years, we’ve seen the cycles,” said Chris Giannetti, a W.B. Mason branch manager in Albany, New York. “When the cycle is down is when you prepare yourself. It’s always going to come back. Get all the people in place to be ready to handle the influx of business.”

Over the past year the company hired an interior designer, an experienced saleswoman, a sales manager, and support staff to aggressively go after larger, “contract furniture” deals.

Those are projects that involve more than just supplying desks, chairs, and file cabinets. The clients are starting with a blank slate by redesigning offices or moving into new space.

“We had the opportunities [in the past] but we didn’t have the infrastructure in place to support it correctly,” Giannetti said. “We just didn’t have that contract team in place.”

W.B. Mason invested about $100,000 to retrofit a furniture showroom in Albany. The company also added a 5,000-square-foot section at its warehouse for used and scratch-and-dent furniture.

Officials saw an opportunity in the used market because many clients didn’t know what to do with their old furniture. Now W.B. Mason resells it for pennies on the dollar, generating a new revenue source.


Read more: http://www.portfolio.com/executive-style/2010/08/03/recession-prompts-office-furniture-suppliers-to-offer-new-services/#ixzz150gyeGhR

Travel Las Vegas

Pool Season in February in Las Vegas?
There will be a couple of days in February where you’ll think that summer is right around the corner. Don’t let them fool you, the cold is still hanging around and it will be for a few more weeks. Stay away from the water unless you have that monster suite that allows you to fill the over sized bath tub with rose petals and champagne.

If you are considering enjoying some attractions in Las Vegas check out some offers with Best of Vegas and you might be able to save money on attractions. Take a look at what they are offering and if it suits you, you can easily save a few dollars.

Walking Weather in February in Las Vegas?
This is the time to walk if you enjoy afternoon walks with pleasant 60 degree weather. The sun is warm but the wind is cool.

Golf Conditions in February in Las Vegas?
It’s almost time for earlier tee times, stay away from early rounds unless you enjoy that frigid feeling at the end of your fingers.

Do you need real time weather? Check this list of resources for Las Vegas weather right at this moment.

Perfect attractions for in February in Las Vegas:
Watch the Las Vegas Wranglers play a little hockey.

Possible day trips from Las Vegas February: Bryce Canyon. Yeah, it’s a little far but it is an incredible place to see the geology of Southern Utah.

Ferries to Ireland, Britain & Holland

Ferries to Ireland, Britain & Holland

Stena Line, one of the world's leading ferry companies, offers low fares and a speedier ferry travel service to Ireland, Britain and Holland. With our extensive route network, Stena Line gives you more flexibility and choice.

As well as a range of hotel breaks, self-catering, landbridge holidays and the option to travel by car, by rail, by coach or on foot, you will enjoy excellent service and value for money. Book early and online for our lowest fares!

Niagara Falls Attractions

Explore Niagara

Niagara Falls, Canada is a destination unlike any other. From the top of Skylon Tower (775 feet up) to the base of Horseshoe Falls (188 feet down), Niagara Falls is an awe-inspiring Ontario Canada vacation destination. The Falls give off a round-the-clock roar, a refreshing - and surprisingly far-reaching - mist, and a reminder of just how wondrous our natural world is.

From the marvel of gazing at the Falls from innumerable look-out points to adrenaline-fueled activities like whitewater jet boats, there are many ways to experience them, including an array of Niagara Falls attractions for all ages.

For those that long to get up close to the Falls, don your famous blue slicker and jump aboard the Maid of the Mist Niagara Falls to go right up to the base, walk behind them at Journey Behind the Falls, or fly over them on a helicopter ride. And that's just the beginning.

Even at night the Falls are impressive. The nightly illumination means you can enjoy them anywhere you have a Falls view - from your Niagara hotel, restaurant, cocktail lounge or observation deck. Every Friday-Sunday during the summer months and on special occasions, Falls Fireworks add a little extra colour to the display.

If you can tear yourself away, Niagara Falls is a bustling destination full of activities for most everyone - vineyards and world-class golf courses, kid fun at Clifton Hill, fine dining and casual eateries, casinos and live Niagara entertainment, spas and leisurely country drives to Niagara-on-the-Lake, cycling adventures and hiking trails. Visit the New Niagara Falls and experience it forever!




NIAGARA HOTEL DEALS


VISITOR FAVOURITES


FEATURED ATTRACTIONS


PACKAGES


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Wondergul Getaways in Garden State

Morris County, New Jersey is one of the most affluent areas in the country and the most affluent one in the state of New Jersey. It was recently named by Forbes magazine as one of the top places to raise children because of the excellent schools and high graduation percentages. This county is just a little over 20 miles from Manhattan and houses over 50 different Fortune 500 companies making it a wonderful place to work or a convenient one to commute into the city from. Not only is this historic county a great place to reside, but it is also a fun place to visit or to have a getaway according to an owner of bail bonds Morris County andbail bonds New Jersey. This article will describe a few of the great places in this county that would be great for a little getaway and various packages that these hotels have.

The 1st establishment to stay is called the Bernard’s Inn which is a mission style inn that was started in 1907 and is located in Somerset Hills. The Inn have several nice packages for a terrific getaway. One package is the Take a Hike package that includes deluxe room accommodations, a guided hike from a guide from Base Camp in Basking Ridge in a nearby state park and water and hike snacks as well. Another great package is the Go Shopping package that provides room accommodations, a gift from the mall at Short Hills, a beuatiful carry on bag and VIP shopping pass to the mall plus a shopping guide to downtown Bernardsville with specials from local merchants. It is also a great place for a romantic getaway to celebrate a special occasion.

Another place to stay in Morris County is the Hilton Parsippany which is just 30 miles outside New York City and where a beautiful lake is also located called Lake Parsippany. One package they offer is the Ride the Train to New York Special which allows you to stay in a quiet, relaxing guest room near nature and beauty and gives you transportation into the city for an action packed day in the city. It is the combination of yin and yang!

The final place is the Madison Hotel and it also offers a Big Apple package. This includes a room at the relaxing hotel, complimentary champagne upon arrival, complimentary breakfast, dinner or lunch at the seafood and steak restaurant and 2 train tickets to Penn Station in Midtown.

All of these places offer a great alternative to the expensive hotels in Manhattan but offer you the chance to easily access the city if you want to. It is a great way to have nearby access to the city without the cost or the chaos that sometimes accompanies being in Manhattan. It is also a nice getaway for those that live in Manhattan to experience nature and more quiet surroundings. It is also a perfect spot for history buffs to visit with a few museums and other historical sights to see going back to the American Revolution.

Travel to Columbia

Colombia’s back. After decades of civil conflict, Colombia is now safe to visit and travelers are discovering what they’ve been missing. The diversity of the country may astonish you. Modern cities with skyscrapers and nightclubs? Check. Gorgeous Caribbean beaches? Check. Jungle walks and Amazon safaris? Check. Colonial cities, archaeological ruins, high-mountain trekking, whalewatching, coffee plantations, scuba diving, surfing, the list goes on.
Click here to find out more!

No wonder the ‘magic realism’ style of Colombian author Gabriel García Márquez emerged from here – there is a dreamlike quality to Colombia. Here at the equator, with the sun forever overhead, the fecund earth beneath your feet, heart-stopping vistas in every direction and the warmth of the locals putting you at ease – you may find it difficult to leave.

Colombian culture, like the country’s weather, varies by altitude. The essence of Colombia resides in the mountains in the alpine cities of Bogotá, Medellín and Cali, and the smaller cities of the Zona Cafetera. This is the industrial heartland of the country. Geographical isolation has kept the accent relatively unaffected by outside influence; Spanish here is precise and easy to understand. The infrastructure in the mountain region is good, the water drinkable, the roads well maintained. In the heat of the Caribbean coast, life is slower, and the culture more laid-back. The accent is the unhurried drawl of the Caribbean basin, and the infrastructure, unfortunately, is still in need of some attention.

In darker days people used to say, ‘if only it weren’t for the violence and drugs, Colombia would be paradise.’ Well the drugs may still be here but the violence is gone, at least for now, and it is, indeed, paradise. It is an easy country to fall in love with, and many travelers do. It could well become your favorite country in South America.