Peace, sport and rock-n-roll!

Extended air travel can mean making it to a far away destination faster than you ever could by any other method of travel. However, it can also mean long exposure to uncomfortable seats, boredom, and worse, problems with circulation.

Good circulation is important for a number of reasons. Your lymph system must have good circulation at all times. The lymph is a fluid in addition to blood that is contained in each tissue in your body. The lymph system is a network of vessels and nodes that transmit the fluid to each place in your body. These nodes are essentially factories for the production of white blood cells. You might have heard that you have swollen lymph nodes when you are ill. This is because your body is working overtime to product what it needs. The lymph system does not have a pump. It only relies on the movement of our muscles to keep pressure within the system. This means you have to move around all of the time to keep your circulation up. Lymph fluid does a number of things to improve your health. First, it helps to finish the circulation of the blood. As your vessels get smaller, components are squeezed through small gaps. This helps to carry food to the cells. The lymph vessels collect the leftovers and take it back into the blood system. The blood system is then able to transfer it to your kidneys and you're liver to be passed out of your body. Lymph fluid also moves white blood cells to the necessary locations in the body. Any area of damage, inflammation, or illness needs white blood cells for its very survival. The only way to do this is through the transfer of lymph fluid. The only way to transfer lymph fluid, for any reason is movement.

Movement during air travel can be very, very difficult. The negative effects of not moving around for a long period of time can be very bad for you. As a result, most airlines offer a bit of advice on this matter during the preflight talk with the passengers. You might try a few simple exercises at frequent intervals during the flight to keep your blood circulating. This can help reduce stiffness, discomfort, and fatigue. It can also help lower your risk of more serious conditions like venous thrombosis, which is a blood clot. Blood clots can go straight to your heart, causing a heart attack, which can result in death. You can start your exercises by holding your carry on bag as close to your body as possible at a ninety degree angle. Do a few bicep curls. That should give you a good workout. If you can, balance the bag on your ankles and do a few leg lifts. Try a simple walk around the cabin. It might be difficult, but if nothing else, it should help you to stretch your legs. You can also try placing the palms of your hands together. Push as hard as you can and hold the position as long as possible. Then try grabbing the nearest book. Hold your arms out flat with the book on top. Hold the position as long as you can. Rest for a few minutes and then repeat. Finally, stretch each muscle of your body any way you can. One important thing to note as you try your exercises is to be respectful of the passengers around you. They do not need to be subjected to an elbow in the face on an hourly basis.

Besides movement, there are a few other ways to keep your body healthy during air travel. First, drink plenty. Try to avoid smoking and alcohol, as both of these can change the way your circulation systems work. Also, avoid crossing your legs while you are seated. It can stop the circulation of your legs. You might also want to wear loose-fitting comfortable clothes while on the plain. Certain garments can reduce or restrict the circulation you are trying so hard to keep pumping. Compression stockings can help prevent swelling and may even help increase circulation to that area of your body. You should only purchase these, though, from a reputable medical facility, as they can be dangerous if used wrong.

They will also need to be measured to fit your legs. In any case, discuss this idea with your doctor first.

Kalkan is a town on the Turkish Mediterranean coast. This is an old fishing town. Most of the surrounding area is undeveloped. Until 1970 it was an important harbor town. However after construction of Fethiye road its importance as a harbor port declined. Now it has emerged as a tourist resort. In the absence of mass tourism, Kalkan resort town has remained unspoilt and is a charming town on the brilliant blue sea coast. It lies snugly curled up at the foot of the Taurus Mountains overlooking the beautiful bay.
Kalkan's economy is now entirely dependent on tourism. The town has proudly and painstakingly preserved its historical distinctive Ottoman Greek Architecture. Kalkan resort town has preserved the old historic architectural style. The houses line up the narrow streets winding up from the harbor. Houses are often covered with bougainvillea of different colors and they look so pretty. Most houses are two storied and are built of stone. They often have courtyards and gardens. The houses are built so as to keep cool in summer. The windows and balconies on upper floors open facing the sea so as to get the cool breeze from the ocean. The ground floors are generally used for shops or for storage; residence is generally on the first floor. You notice decorative elements on sills between floors and on top of windows.
Good dining has always been a tradition of Kalkans and this has reflected in the very large number of restaurants in Kalkan; in fact it is said Kalkan has probably the highest number of restaurants per inhabitant as compared to other Turkish coastal towns. Roof terrace restaurants and bars of Kalkan are renowned in Turkey; it is so nice to sit at one of these harbor side restaurants and watch the pleasure boats and fishermen go about their business in the morning, or to watch them returning in the evening with their catch of fish.
Tourists generally spend the day time strolling along the bay and the marina. Swimming, diving and snorkeling in the bay quite enjoyable. There are many boat trips also available. By night time, Kalkan transforms into a bustling town; there is so much you could do. There is shopping, dining and generally strolling around by the sea side or doing window shopping. In the evening, shops come alive with T-shirts, boxes of Turkish delight, silver jewelry being sold. Turkish rugs are famous for their designs and craftsmanship, and many shops sell the rugs. Tourists find a lot of typical old style Turkish articles to buy.
Tourists and visitors to Kalkan resort town come to enjoy the laid-back relaxed life style in this Turkish sanctuary. There are a few good hotels catering to the tourists. One of the popular hotels is Hotel Pirat; it is only 80 km from Fathiye or 130 km from Dalaman airports. Pirat Hotel is overlooking the harbor and the bay of Kalkan, right at the front of hilly resort islands backed by hills and mountains. The view of the bay from the balcony is enchanting. This 136 room hotel has all modern amenities. Excellent outdoor swimming pool, children's swimming pool, sports facilities such as table tennis and billiards are available. There is provision for diving school, parasailing, jet ski, canoe, sailing and all water sports are available at the beach for a modest fee.

Shopping for jewelry in Bangkok can be very profitable and fun. But you have to be aware that there are unscrupulous people that may try to scam you.
Never let a tuk-tuk driver take you to a jewelry store. A tuk-tuk is a small, open air, motorcycle driven, 3-wheeld vehicle. The driver may offer to take you anywhere you want to go for free or for a ridiculously low price.
The driver may take you to a legitimate tourist attraction or temple where you will be met by someone claiming that the venue is closed. He will try to gain your confidence and offer to take you to a jewelry store where you can make a big profit. Everyone will get a commission and you will be sold inferior grade gemstones.
You are better off going to a reputable jewelry store. Keep in mind that almost any store recommended to you will be paying a commission to the recommender. You want to find a store that has been in the same location and has a solid reputation. But, how do you find one.
I would search around the internet and find some jewelry stores that look "OK". Then I would visit some of the online forums and ask around for good and bad experiences. It may not be a perfect solution, but it will give you a start at finding a legitimate shop.
I would definitely avoid any jewelry shop located in the lobby of your hotel. They will be targeting tourists and overcharging you. There will also be a limited selection and most likely inferior stones.
You can find some decent jewelry stores on Wireless Road amid all of the embassies. They have been there for a long time and take care of tourists and dignitaries alike.
For gold jewelry, your best bet is to go to Chinatown. There are gold shops every ten feet. Easily identified with bright red trim, you will see gold necklaces, bracelets, and rings. This is for gold only shopping, not gem stones. Keep in mind that the gold will be 22 or 23 carat which is almost pure.
The price of the gold jewelry will be based on the daily price of gold on the world markets. Factor in a little more for the workmanship, and you can get some very nice jewelry for a good price. The biggest markup in your home country is for the craftsmanship.
Do a little bit of homework and you can get a very nice souvenir from Thailand that you will wear the rest of your life and will remind you of your holiday.

Just mention the word Jamaica and the mind is filled with images of beach party, reggae and rum. The most populous English speaking island simply exudes with relaxed and laidback life on the beach. It is home to a lot of celebrities while still more rich and famous flock to the party island day in and day out.
The island nation is called Xaymaca by its native inhabitants, which in Arawakan means either "Land of Springs" or "Land of Wood and Water". A compelling tourist attraction by itself, Jamaica actually owes its enormous and vibrant tourism industry to two persons namely, Bob Marley and Errol Flynn.
Bob Marley
Internationally revered as the King of Reggae music, Bob Marley is a homegrown talent that brought Jamaica to the world's center stage. His phenomenal influence in the world's music landscape is best demonstrated by the number of countries that have their own annual Bob Marley Day celebrations, which includes Germany, Belgium, Finland, Italy and Denmark to name a few. But of course, every fervent fan would always argue that the commemoration of the life and achievements of the person that introduced reggae to the world would never be as meaningful and significant as the one being celebrated in Bob Marley's own homeland Jamaica. Each year, the country honors Bob Marley through a weeklong music festival dubbed as the Reggae Sunsplash Festival held every February, his birthday month. A music lover's Jamaican escapade is never complete without a pilgrimage to various pit stops dedicated to the Reggae King, namely, Bob Marley Museum and Bob Marley Mausoleum to name a few.
Errol Flynn
If Bob Marley brought Jamaica to the world, Errol Flynn brought the world to Jamaica. The latter discovered and fell in love with the pristine beauty of the island when his yacht ran aground along the foreshores of San Antonio sometime in the 1940s. From yachting, he started one of the island's greatest attractions today which is river rafting. The Hollywood superstar came to Jamaica and never left. He bought a hotel and later a vast estate in Navy Island where he kept himself busy in his 3,000 acres of ranch and coconut plantation, one of the biggest in the island. Ever since he settled in his Caribbean hideaway, Errol Flynn was never out of guests to entertain, most of whom were Hollywood celebrities that marked the start of tourist exodus to the islands.

The dates are still to be confirmed but the period is definitely July 2008 for the International Istanbul Jazz Festival where you can be sure the programme will be one of the most interesting and intriguing as the guests have always been of international relevance. Names such as Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, the Modern Jazz Quartet, Stan Getz, Ornette Coleman, Youssou N'Dour during the years have played and entertained crowds of music lovers in Turkish starry and unforgettable nights.
This year the Istanbul Jazz Festival celebrates the 15th anniversary and as every year the festival will award a 'Lifetime Achievement Award to one of the old jazz masters for their contribution to the world of music. For these reasons the festival has a wide resonance attracting large crowds of jazz lovers from Turkey and the rest of the world for a packed two-week programme of jazz concerts taking place in various venues around the city. The exact dates are very close! From 2-16 July 2008 these are the names on the stages: Caetano Veloso ( 10 July); Herbie Hankcock (2 July); Al Jarreau (16 July); Lenny Kravitz (30 July) ; Paolo Fresu and his trumpet on 5 July and so on! Tickets range from 30 YTL for students to 80 YTL ( from about 15 euros to 45 euros). For all information, photos, programmes, costs and concert booking see the official website iksv.org/caz
If you are taking your holiday a little later this year, and you will be missing the Jazz Festival, don't panic! In October Istanbul treats its music lovers with another packed appointment of concerts and stages of 10 days. The Akbank Jazz Festival programme includes concerts that range from the classical sounds of traditional jazz to the modern sounds of experimental jazz. Akbank Jazz Festival hosts international groups, artists and musicians to perform at various locations in this lively city. The dates although still not official seem to be between October 8 and October 18, 2008.
The Akbank Jazz Festival is known to be a festival that brings jazz to every corner of Istanbul, Ankara and zmir this year the festival celebrates its 18th anniversary. Unfortunately the programme is still not updated and we invite you to check the official website later o n this year. pozitif.info. Last year masters such as Archie Shepp Quartet who celebrated his 70th birthday, Mark Murphy, The Phil Woods Quintet, Nublu Orchestra as well as many critically acclaimed young jazz musicians took the stage during the festival and literally took a piece of heart of their fans!
For accommodation solutions be happy! Istanbul has still very fascinating old turkish lodgings to offer and at very affordable prices. You can choose to stay in a youth hostel and pay around 7-13 euros per night or choose a familiar guest house with a terrace on the roof with a marvellous view on the blue mosque with prices that range between 18-25 euros per person or a nice hotel better if furnished with a stylish Turkish taste and providing you will all genres of comforts such as the famous Turkish baths. We have selected some accommodation providers among Flashbooking's website proposals: GEZGINCI HOSTEL Istanbul and BUHARA HOTEL Istanbul

The first section when film-makers were expected to send their works ended in December and the Staff is now undergoing all preparations to be ready by April for this 2008 Film Festival. The organization estimates that for this festival there will be around 200 films competing for different sections. Here the list:
International Competition section, reserved for feature length fiction or documentary films or animations. In order to be included in this section and compete for the "Golden Tulip" award, authors/film-makers have to focus their attention on themes on "arts" or "the artist", and literary adaptations.
There is a particular section where films shown in other leading festivals (including many award-winning) will be projected at the World of Festivals Section
In competition also the films at the Human Rights in Cinema Section that comprises both documentaries and features investigating the politics behind social and individual life changes.
Documentaries
Other NON-competitive sections are the Retrospective section & the Tributes section where tributes to a film-maker influential to film history are selected, The Mined Zone section reserved for innovative, unconventional and unique fiction films in terms of style or content and Masters of the Future Section featuring works by new directors who received critical acclaim
Beside the International competition there's also the National Competition for recent Turkish films: Turkish Cinema.
As the Istanbul International Film festival keeps evolving every year, the sections of the festival are of course subject to change.
For further information please visit IKSV web site.
To organize your trip in Istanbul, (Turkey) there are many free and useful tools on-line, from city guide to ticket-bookers, to accommodations advices and flight reservations. In the words of French poet Alphonse de Lamartine, if one had but a single glance to give the world, one should gaze on Istanbul. Indeed, this is a city of astonishing beauty. Its architecture, cuisine, history and culture make up a fascinating tapestry of yesterday and very much tomorrow.
A metropolitan capital with an imperial history stretching back for over 1500 years, Istanbul is today the commercial, historical and cultural core of Turkey. But most of all, it's a buzzing, living-breathing metropolis that is knocking at the doors of the European Union. It won't be hard to find a suitable accommodation (there are many youth hostels for backpackers or travellers on a budget up to enchanting hotels featuring Turkish interior designs, typical pieces of furniture, mosaics, spa and thermal baths at affordable prices). We found some in this website (Flashbooking) featuring gorgeous views over Bosporus and Istanbul Blue Mosque and markets.

Elba, the largest isle of the Tuscan Archipelago, is the land of warm clement weather, broad-spectrum seas, panoramic beaches, lush green countryside and in all, the land of natural reservoir. Located in the middle of Tuscan Archipelago Marine Park, Elba can be reached by just an hour ferry ride from Piombino. The land of beautiful marine life and dramatic drop-offs on the sea bed magnetizes visitors from all around the globe. This shimmering island is a home to innumerable exotic flora and fauna, the zingy coastline is alienated into beaches and rocks, the Mediterranean vegetation of macchia and the stillness of ancient countryside creates a highly poetic and romantic atmosphere.
The third largest island in the Italy, Elba also boasts off the small fortress towns that are ideal for ambling around the city and a great alternative to a day off at a beach. The archeological treasures and the mining museum flash the archaic history of the places in and around this islet. And the widely spread chestnut woods makes the area plush and vibrant and ideal for lazing around.
With an area of 200 sq km and a coastline of 147 km, the island of Isola d'Elba embraces more than 70 beaches. Each of the beaches is unique in itself and splendid with the grandeur sea water. The long undulating beaches of golden sands and the shimmering sea shore with the tiny stones; the equally magnetizing coastlines of black sand and the coast of white pebbles; the shoreline of the Elba Island has a panoramic insight. The cliff bases of smooth granite rocks and the crystal clear water of the beach, make these beaches equal to none.
The perfect beach holiday resort, Elba also facilitates escapades like water sports - kayaking, diving, sailing for the water lovers. One can also indulge into leisure activities like swimming or sun basking. Many of the island beaches are classified as 'free'. But there are also many privately owned establishments providing facilities like changing rooms, sun lounges, beach umbrellas and a range of equipments for water sport activities.
If you are the kind of person who likes to laze around in the water, then there are some shallow water beaches, where the depth remains for up to 30-40 meters. To name a few La Biodola, Marina di Campo, Lacona and Procchio falls on this category. And the depth of the rest of the beaches is increased rather rapidly. Just follow the advice and regulation for safety.
Other added thrills in the Isola d'Elba beach holidays are exploring another set of exciting activities. There are plenty of camping sites around this islet, where you can experience the camp night outs with all fun and frolic. Or just indulge yourself into trekking, hiking, mountain biking, paragliding and riding. Or unwind yourself in this serene environment while playing Golf with your loved ones.
The place of Isola d'Elba has something for every traveler. Either you can spoil yourself with the wildest of activities or you can pamper yourself amidst the luxuriant surroundings.

You have scrimped and saved all year long. You have put in overtime hours so that you will have extra money for your holiday. Don't flush it all down the toilet falling for some sad sob story from an 18 year old farm girl.
I have never understood how uneducated or little educated lasses from Northeastern Thailand can pull the wool over seemingly intelligent men from America, Europe, Australia and the rest of the 1st world countries.
The girls may also claim that their mother is sick, their brother is in jail, their grandfather died, or their sister needs money for school. Lies, lies, lies. Don't fall for the scam. They can be so convincing and sound so sweet and innocent that we feel we have to help them. After all, we have discretionary money and they are so, so poor. They play on your heartstrings and know that it works. It may not work on every one of their contacts but they will find someone stupid who will send them money.
Most likely they won't pull this until after you have left and gone home to your country. They will call you or send you an email and initially test the waters. If they find you lonely and missing your girl in Thailand, they will strike and try to get all they can. Usually they start out small and increase the amounts as they go on. This is similar to what legitimate charities do.
They will profess their love, promise to meet you and take care of you when you return, as long as you help them out with their problem.
You can try to fool yourself and say that this one is different. You can convince yourself that she is sincere and that this really is an emergency and you will ride your white horse and come to her rescue. She will laugh all the way to the bank.
Keep in mind that not only will she be playing you; she will have other sponsors that she is taking for all she can get too. Some of the girls will juggle 5 or 6 relationships, receive monthly stipends, and coordinate visits that don't overlap. And do all this without a blackberry.
They are very convincing and know what buttons on the farang (foreigner) to push. They share information at the bars, massage parlors, and beauty shops. They know how to copy and paste sad sob stories to email to you. They have someone to translate for them and help them write those money soliciting emails.
Don't surrender to these little girls. They may seem sweet and innocent but they can be ruthless and conniving. It is kind of like the car salesman. He has the advantage since he sells cars every day and you only buy a car once every five years. The girls have the advantage over wide-eyed, drunk, "handsome me" in Thailand.
As cynical as this sounds, there are some good ladies in Thailand - you just have to hunt for them and look in places besides bars and massage parlors.
Be safe and smart. Use your big head to think and don't fall for the sick buffalo story.

Did you know that potential break-in artists could be waiting to burglarize your home while you are on holidays? And who is going to mow the lawn while you're away? Who will watch for fires or leaks in the hot-water heating system? An empty house can be a recipe for disaster!

Career criminals will be on the alert for things like:

* Yards with untrimmed hedges and unwatered lawns

* More than a day's worth of newspapers inside the screen door

* Windows that reveal no change in lighting during the night

* An absent vehicle in the garage or driveway

* Full garbage bins that are not set out on collection day

* Mail carriers skipping a house because of redirected mail

* Nobody answering the door when someone rings the bell

Crafty criminals will often ring the doorbell themselves before attempting a break-in. If you are at home, they will have a reasonable story like: 'I am conducting a survey of homeowners in the area to see if they are happy with the local school system.'

No thief wants to be caught, and no burglar will want to put more effort than necessary into a robbery. Criminals are by necessity suspicious (and lazy as well). Anything you can do to make your house more challenging is likely to deter them. A good security system is a commendable first step.

But is a security system enough? Maybe you should investigate hiring a housesitter. A housesitter can help prevent break-ins, and can also monitor for fires, roof leaks, and other potential home emergencies.

The internet is full of helpful sites. An internet search for keywords and phrases similar to the following will help you to locate a good sitter:

* house sitting services

* find house sitter

* professional housesitters

* experienced home sitter

* pet sitting service

At the end of this article is a link to a page containing several search engines.

As a homeowner, you can usually post a free ad in a housesitter directory. Many sites will have an auto e-mail service that notifies you whenever a new housesitter registers in your community. Housesitting services may include:

* Mowing the lawn and trimming the hedge

* Watering houseplants

* Walking, feeding, and caring for pets

* Picking up mail and newspapers

* Paying bills

* Answering the telephone

Homesitters come from various walks of life - and ages may vary from late teens/early twenties to ?? Typical sitters might be:

* Retirees

* A world traveller who is trying to conserve on expenses

* A college student trying to make ends meet

* A person who needs a place to stay during home renovations

* Someone new in the community

In recompense for their services, a home sitter will receive free rent and (usually) an additional fee. Sitters are normally responsible for their own food and telephone calls.

It is important that all arrangements are in writing. Some of the important points you should include in your written contract include:

* How long the sitter is permitted to be away from the premises

* The maximum number of guests allowed ('zero' being an option)

* Expectations for pet, plant, and yard care

* What should happen in case of illness or emergency

* Exact duration of house-sitting contract

* What will happen if your return home is delayed

If you are working with a professional housesitting service, be sure that it does appropriate security checks on its employees. If you are hiring a private sitter, ask local law enforcement authorities what is needed for you to perform your own background investigations.

This article is just a short primer on the subject of homesitting. Be sure to spend sufficient time doing individual research long before your holidays.

. . . And Happy Travels!

Whatever your mode of travel, there will be special challenges if you take the kids along. The key to sanity is some careful planning - and a calm, unruffled approach.

* Where Should we Stay? *

If you are planning at stay at a bed and breakfast, do some research. Many bed and breakfasts are not suitable for children. However, you may be able to find a 'farmstay' - a bed and breakfast on a farm that allows your kids to interact with the animals. This can be an unequalled family experience - especially for city dwellers.

Staying in a hotel? Do they provide extra cots and/or cribs for children? Do they have a restaurant with a kids' menu? Is there a playroom or playground on the premises? Are there children's activities nearby?

* What Should I Pack? *

Use common sense. Every family is different. Check the following list and pack what is appropriate for your household:

- Small first aid kit

- Liquid anti-nausea medication

- Liquid Tylenol

- Individual-sized tissues

- Moistened hand-wipes in individual packs

- Paper towels

- Photos of the kids and important details regarding medications

- Telephone numbers of doctors (at home and at your destination)

- Copies of passports, birth certificates, custody documentation

- Decks of cards, favorite toys, children's books

- Coloring books, crayons, mechanical pencils, paper

- Crossword puzzle books, erasable pens, highlighters

- Windbreakers, slickers, umbrellas

- Sunglasses, hats, sunscreen

- Plastic bags from grocery store checkout (for storage and cleanup)

* Diaper Disposal *

There are scented disposal bags available - or you might want to pack some small zip-lock bags. Plastic grocery bags or newspaper bags can also be used. The solid matter should be disposed of down the toilet. Next, roll the diaper up with the soiled area facing inwards so that you have a compact bundle with the plastic on the outside. Place the diaper in the zip-lock bag, seal most of the way, then press out as much air as possible while you complete the seal. Discard in a bathroom garbage container or outside garbage bin.

If you are outdoors and there are no outhouse or bathroom facilities nearby, you should carry the entire diaper contents with you, disposing of appropriately when you find a garbage bin or bathroom. DO NOT leave diapers or diaper contents behind. Besides polluting the environment, some animals are attracted to human waste. Protect the environment even more by making sure that you purchase biodegradable diapers (or switch to cloth).

If you must carry soiled diapers along with you for any length of time, you might want to consider packing a few deodorant disks or a baking-soda based scented deodorizer.

* Snacks *

If your children are finicky eaters, chances are you will encounter problems with airline and restaurant meals. Pack a few nutritious snacks. Snacks may include fresh fruit, granola bars, individual-size cereal boxes, cheese and crackers, raisins, unsalted peanuts - or snack-size containers of applesauce, puddings, and fruit cocktail.

* Boredom *

Boredom is always going to be a problem. Even a half-hour trip seems like a long time to a young child. The easiest and most accessible boredom solution is YOU. Use the time to interact with your kids. Ask them questions. Get them to tell you stories if they are old enough. You can keep young children entertained by telling them stories - complete with sound effects of animal noises, whistles, and whatever else you can invent.

Play guessing games like 'I Spy' with older kids, or get them involved in some children's cards games. Although games like 'Go Fish' can be played with a regular deck of cards, there are many games with special, brightly-colored decks made just for children. Do an internet search for 'card games for kids' and you'll find plenty of resources.

* Inactivity *

Sitting still for long periods of time is not a natural activity for children. If you're on a plane, train, or bus, get up and take a walk down the aisle once every hour. When travelling by car, find an appropriate pullout and play frisbee or go for a short walk.

* Relax - Lighten Up - Unwind *

Treat every family trip as an opportunity to connect with your children. Relax, enjoy their unique personalities, and enjoy yourself!