What we know as satellite tv actually had its origins in the space race which began with the launching of the satellite Sputnik by the Russians in 1957. The first communication satellite was developed and launched by a consortium of business and government entities in 1963. It was known as Syncom II and achieved an orbit at 22,300 miles over the Atlantic. The first satellite communication was between a U.S. Navy ship in the harbor of Lagos, Nigeria and the U.S. Army located at the naval station at Lakehurst, New Jersey on July 26, 1963.

Telephone companies began using satellite communication for communicating as land based distribution methods became overloaded. Television began using satellites on March 1, 1978 when the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) introduced Public Television Satellite Service. Broadcast networks adopted satellite communication as a distribution method from 1978 through 1984. As the use of satellites for communication and broadcast purposes increased, it became evident that everyone had the potential to receive satellite signals for free.

Direct to Home (DTH) satellite receivers were developed in the early 1980's. Rural areas thus gained the capacity to receive television programming that was not capable of being received by standard methods. With the development of television receive only (TVRO), broadcasters began to complain that reception of their signals were being either received illegally or pirated. The position of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) was governed by its "open skies' policy. It was the FCC's position that users had as much right to receive satellite signals as broadcasters had the right to transmit them.

The broadcasters, in response to this government policy, began to use developed technologies which allowed them to scramble the signals they were broadcasting. Users, in turn, had to buy a decoder from a satellite program provider that packaged programs similar to the packages provided by cable systems. Ideas began to abound about the potential market for satellite television. The FCC, following the World Administrative Radio Conference of 1979, in 1980 established the plans and policy for a new service, direct broadcast satellite or DBS. This new service was to consist of a broadcast satellite in geostationary orbit, facilities for transmitting signals to the satellite and equipment needed by individuals to access the signals.

Early successful attempts to launch satellites for the mass consumer market were led by Japan and Hong Kong in 1986 and 1990, respectively. The first successful attempt by the United States was made by a group of major cable companies and was named Primestar. Next came Direct TV. Echostar Dish Network entered the market in the Spring of 1996 offering cheaper prices and forcing all of its competitors to do likewise.
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 During the speach, Dr. Reg McDaniel talked about first seeing new stem cells in the peripheral blood of clients using glyconutrients many years ago and not recognizing these cells as stem cells. They were 10 times the size of white blood cells and they were given the name "Gee" cells for some time as that's what Dr. Reg said when he observed these new cells that no one could identify! Now we have the tools to identify these cells appropriately as stem cells which can be used as "master keys" to move to places in the body as the body calls for. About a year ago there was an article in JAMA regarding the stem cells implants of male cells into female bodies of women with leukemia who had received a stem cell transplant. When these women died, male marked cells were found as neurons in the brain.

Dr. Reg realized that this might offer an explanation in the many children with fetal alcohol syndrome that were doing so well with the glyconutrients and others who had advanced so far beyond their perceived genetic limitations. He told the story of several adopted aboriginal children in Canada who had fetal alcohol syndrome who have done remarkably well, improving from IQ's estimated to be around 50 to levels around 100. One girl who had difficulties with reading and numbers and was in remedial classes after 3 years with glyconutrients was able to read a Harry Potter book in a week and discuss what she had read.

When they measure the before and after stem cell counts in the blood, virtually none are detectable prior to glyconutrieints. Within a week of giving glyconutrients, there are 200-400 stem cells seen in a microliter of blood with about 5-10 thousand white blood cells. If one extrapolates to the whole body, it is possible that there are 1.7-3 trillion new stem cells throughout our body as we add in glyconutrients. We're at the beginning of understanding all of what is possible with stem cells. There is an article in the June Scientific American if you want to read more about stem cells.

A New STEM CELL SURVEY CD for the Health Care Professional will be available next week that contains evidence that glyconutrients increase Stem Cell activity in the human body (This is a presentation CD not an audio CD). This NEW Stem Cell CD by H. Reg McDaniel, M.D. documents how glyconutrients integrated into traditional therapy may benefit every disease that Stem Cells benefit and THAT IS EVERY DISEASE.

Note: Glyconutrients are not intended to heal, treat, or cure any disease
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Many times, when we plan a vacation, we know where we want to go. But, perhaps you don't have a specific place in mind and are looking for some vacation destinations to choose from. The first order of business is to decide your budget. Yes, you'll have to number crunch and find out how much you want to spend. From there, finding vacation destinations is simple.

Perhaps you are looking for information on some of the big name vacation destinations such as Disney World, Las Vegas, or the Bahamas? Finding information on these vacation destinations is simple as it is everywhere you look. Or, perhaps you want a specific kind of vacation like a tropical island, a beach, or a ski resort? There are exotic vacation destinations and family oriented vacation destinations. The sky is the limit.

To find information regarding different vacation destinations, it is no longer necessary to visit the travel agent or even the library. There is a wealth of information right on the internet that you can get right from your home. It's as simple as doing a web search for one of the many vacation planning websites. One great example is www.e-travelpromos.com where you can find many choices in vacation destinations.

Now, back to the budget we go. While we can look at all kinds of vacation destinations and set our dreams high, remember to realize that all vacation destinations will cost you something. Remember to consider hotel accommodations, airfare or transportation to the location, car rentals, meals, drinks, taxes, tips, and spending money. You may choose to visit a vacation destination where there are a lot of sites to see. Realize that most likely you will need to pay a per person fee to see attractions or to rent equipment. There are many items to include in your budget. Once you have done this you can consider which vacation destination will be right for you.

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If your vacation time is coming up and you are planning on making a trip, then you will need to make some plans. Perhaps you are going to visit family? Or, maybe you plan to take your family to see an attraction somewhere? Maybe you are going to visit another country? Regardless of where you plan to go, you can find great deals on getting there, staying there, and even enjoying your time at the location.

Often times we want to take our children to see the things we saw when we were younger. It would be nice to see some new destinations as well. Either way, we want to do a lot but don't always have the funds. So, we are always in search for a deal. There are many out there to be had. Here are some quick ideas.

Saving on airfare is all about shopping around. Compare the different offers each company has. Can you fly in mid week and avoid weekend charges and busy times? Flying at night or at odd times can also increase your changes of getting a deal.

Once you get to your destination, you'll need a place to stay and a car to drive. The best way to get deals on these is to plan ahead. Making reservations ahead of time can be the best way to lower your cost. Cutting out extra charges on things you don't need, or won't use, also helps. No need for that car to come with a DVD player if you only plan to drive short distances. Along the same lines, you probably won't have time to watch all those movies on cable either. Eliminating these extras can lead to extra cash in your pocket.

Saving money on travel doesn't need to stop there. You can save money on travel in just about every aspect by planning and research. Take the time to compare different companies, then choose the best option for you. Also, take a box of cereal and pick up a gallon of milk instead of spending a ton on breakfast. Grab a local newspaper to see if there are deals in there for area restaurants. The local family diner may have some great food at reasonable prices but is overlooked because of all those glaring signs in tourist's face.

Being able to find a deal on travel is a great advantage. Saving some extra cash can truly make your vacation more worthwhile. Since so many people just don't get enough vacation time, getting the most out of what they do get is key. So, take some time and find the best travel deals out there for yourself!
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Telescopes are devices that are used to view the distant objects. They find its use in astronomy and physics. It enables you to view the distant objects by magnifying them. There are many types of telescopes and their prices vary according to the specifications. Many accessories are also available that can be used in conjunction with the telescopes. Small telescopes that are used as toys are also capable of viewing some objects around 50 meters away.

The principle in which the telescope works is very simple. There are two lenses that make up the task of viewing the objects that are at a distance. One of the lenses picks up the light from the object viewed and makes it available at a focus point. Another lens picks up the bright light from the focus point and spreads it out to your retina so that you can view. The lens that picks up the light from the object is called the objective lens or primary mirror. The lens that picks up the light from the focal point is called the eyepiece lens.

The capability of the telescope to collect the light from the object that is viewed and the capability to enlarge the image are the factors that affect the efficiency of the telescope. The capability to collect light from the object depends on the diameter of the lens or mirror, which is otherwise called the aperture. The larger the aperture the more the light it can collect. Enlarging of an image depends on the combination of the lenses that are used. The eyepiece in the telescope performs the magnification.
Some of the world's largest optical telescopes in operation

We say a telescope to be larger based on the aperture size. Based on this we can say that Keck and Keck II are the largest telescopes in operation with an aperture of 10 meters diameter. The Keck telescope is composed of 36 mirror segments. This is located at Mauna Kea, Hawaii. The next largest is Hobby-Eberly located at Mt. Fowlkes, Texas which has an aperture of 9.2 meters. You can get a list of the largest optical telescopes at http://astro.nineplanets.org/bigeyes.html.

The choice of the telescope largely depends on what you want to observe. You can choose compound telescopes and refractor type of telescope for viewing through the urban skies. For the rural skies, you can use compound telescopes and reflectors. They are better than the refractors type of telescopes. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages. Hence, many people have different telescope for different purposes.

Students often ask; "What exactly is science?" Professors explain by discussing theories, proofs, laws of physics, observations, duplication of results, etc.. Professors often pull rank on students when they argue a point with the professor on extending the professors definition of science. When this occurs the professor indicates to the student; "You obviously do not know what science is" they quickly tell the student.

Having had this scenario play over and over again, it would appear that those professors want to keep science for themselves. If they cannot answer a question or do not know the answer they will simply say; "that is not science" or "that is pseudo science" thus alleviating them the responsibility of answering the question. This is interesting indeed.

I have often thought; "science does not know what science is!" Science is not condemning another who caries a different perspective, science is not character assonating another in a primate political way to put forth their ideas or concepts over another. Since is not attacking someone's concept because it does not match with what another was taught, science is not publish or perish over real breakthroughs. Science is not who publishes first or whose name is attached. Science is not engineering. Science is not denying a theory until you can prove it is not possible. Science is not rhetoric, that is politics.

Although in observing all the above discussion about what science is not and it appears that in the "real" world of science one observing these behaviors might perceive it to be just that. But such social interaction which actually occurs in science is not science at all, unless you call it "social science" but most scientists claim that is not a real science and if so why don't they practice what they preach and dump the rhetoric? What all these scientists and professor's are doing is not science, it is disgusting.

I think I enjoy the comments on this subject by Bill Bryson, Matt Ridley, Stephen Wolfram and recently Michael Crieghton in his book "Fear." In any case all you scientists out there need to dump the BS and get busy propelling the human race and forwarding the progression of the species, you are not fooling me and many are simply getting quite tired of games. Think on that why don't you?

The reason for the apparently absurd question in the title is the remarkable research conducted at the University of Sheffield by neurology professor the late Dr. John Lorber.

When Sheffield's campus doctor was treating one of the mathematics students for a minor ailment, he noticed that the student's head was a little larger than normal. The doctor referred the student to professor Lorber for further examination.

The student in question was academically bright, had a reported IQ of 126 and was expected to graduate. When he was examined by CAT-scan, however, Lorber discovered that he had virtually no brain at all.

Instead of two hemispheres filling the cranial cavity, some 4.5 centimetres deep, the student had less than 1 millimetre of cerebral tissue covering the top of his spinal column. The student was suffering from hydrocephalus, the condition in which the cerebrospinal fluid, instead of circulating around the brain and entering the bloodstream, becomes dammed up inside.

Normally, the condition is fatal in the first months of childhood. Even where an individual survives he or she is usually seriously handicapped. Somehow, though, the Sheffield student had lived a perfectly normal life and went on to gain an honours degree in mathematics.

Professor Lorber (who was a member of the committee sitting to decide who should be awarded the Nobel Prize) identified several hundred people who have very small cerebral hemispheres but who appear to be normal intelligent individuals. Some of them he describes as having 'no detectable brain', yet they have scored up to 120 on IQ tests.

No-one knows how people with 'no detectable brain' are able to function at all, let alone to graduate in mathematics, but there are a couple theories. One idea is that there is such a high level of redundancy of function in the normal brain that what little remains is able to learn to deputise for the missing hemispheres.

Another, similar, suggestion is the old idea that we only use a small percentage of our brains anyway - perhaps as little as 10 per cent. The trouble with these ideas is that more recent research seems to contradict them. The functions of the brain have been mapped comprehensively and although there is some redundancy there is also a high degree of specialisation - the motor area and the visual cortex being highly specific for instance. Similarly, the idea that we 'only use 10 per cent of our brain' is a misunderstanding dating from research in the 1930s in which the functions of large areas of the cortex could not be determined and were dubbed 'silent', when in fact they are linked with important functions like speech and abstract thinking.

The other interesting thing about Lorber's findings is that they remind us of the mystery of memory. At first it was thought that memory would have some physical substrate in the brain, like the memory chips in a PC. But extensive investigation of the brain has turned up the surprising fact that memory is not located in any one area or in a specific substrate. As one eminent neurologist put it, 'memory is everywhere in the brain and nowhere.' But if the brain is not a mechanism for classifying and storing experiences and analysing them to enable us to live our lives then what on earth is the brain for? And where is the seat of human intelligence? Where is the mind?

Lorber's discovery is far from isolated. In researching my book 'Alternative Science' I found literally scores of such cases of scientific discoveries that are well-attested with strong direct laboratory evidence, and yet are ignored by conventional science. Many more such examples are also given on the Alternative Science Website.

Tsunami is a Japanese term that describes a large seismically generated sea wave which is capable of considerable destruction in certain coastal areas, especially where underwater earthquakes occur.

In Japanese, "Tsunami" means "Harbor Wave" or "Wave In The Harbor" It is now internationally accepted as the term that defines a "Seismic Seawave."

In South America, the term "Maremoto" is frequently used to describe a Tsunami.
Tsunami is pronounced: (sue-NAM-ee)

Tsunami's have been incorrectly referred to as "tidal waves." A tidal wave is a non-technical term for a shallow water wave caused by the gravitational interactions between the Sun, Moon, and Earth (high water is the crest of a tidal wave and low water is the trough).

Tsunami's are formed by a displacement of water. This can come from the slippage of the boundaries between two tectonic plates, volcanic eruption, under-water earthquake, or even landslides.

Out in the open ocean, Tsunami's might only be 1 meter in height, but as it reaches the shore in shallow water, it can rise to heights of 15-30 meters or more. Think about how a normal wave comes into a shore: the water moves away from the shore and then comes crashing back. This movement "heightens" the destruction power of a Tsunami.

Tsunami's can also reach speeds ranging from 400 to 500+ miles per hour? about the same speed as a jet airliner.

The enormous energy that a Tsunami can possess allows it to travel across entire oceans. They often proceed as an ordinary gravity wave? having a 15 to 60 minute intervals.

From a destruction perspective, Tsunami's have cost not hundreds of thousands, but millions of human lives over the recorded history of Earth.
Sources: U.S. Geological Survey & Pacific Tsunami Warning Center

I have always been an advocate of recycling. Even though I am not always convinced of its financial viability, I am thoroughly convinced of its value as a means of increasing public awareness of the cost of our consumerism. In the 20+ years I have been in the organizing profession, I have never heard anyone complain that their problem in getting organized was that they didn't have enough "stuff."
It doesn't seem like getting rid of things should be such difficult issue, but in my own experience and in the lives of clients, it often is. I have spent countless hours listening to clients justify why they need to keep clothes they haven't worn in ten years, utensils they aren't sure how to use, appliances that need repair, artwork they don't even like -- and, of course, old magazines they're sure to read some day!

If you have enough room and if you're willing to pay the price in space and energy, it is possible to keep everything. But if you can't find what you need today because you're tripping over what you might need tomorrow, the price may be more than you should be willing to pay. Recycling is often a great solution.

It's amazing how many ways you can find to recycle the things you aren't using. Towels and bedding are desperately needed by homeless shelters. Pre-school programs can use calendars with pretty pictures. Local schools are often delighted to have used computer equipment. The Lions Club collects eyeglasses for people who cannot afford to purchase them. (How many pairs do you have in your dresser drawer?)

My mother had an enormous pile of overalls which my father no longer used, but she didn't know anyone who needed them. She just couldn't bring herself to toss them, so she put them in a box in the attic. One day she heard a woman on the radio say that she wanted to buy overalls because she used the bib tops to make jumpers which she sold to raise money for her favorite charity. She didn't even care if the overalls had holes in them, because she covered them up with decorations and trim. My mother was elated to find a home for the overalls -- and get a check for $10 besides! (One note of caution: Don't fall in a trap of looking for the perfect recipient -- organizations such as Goodwill Industries can use almost anything, and will give you a receipt for a tax deduction!)

Many articles have been written about the negative effects of carbon dioxide. Sick Building Syndrome, loss of concentration due to high levels of carbon dioxide, asphyxiation in breweries or wine cellars, all these things spring to mind when we hear the magic phrase carbon dioxide. Yet, perhaps today when Venus passes across the face of the Sun, we should remember that our original atmosphere consisted of nitrogen and carbon dioxide. Free oxygen is something that is not really chemically possible. Yet we have it as a result of plant life busily photosynthesising and converting carbon dioxide into oxygen during daylight hours. This is the original use of solar energy!


Plants require carbon dioxide to grow and why not help them by increasing the level of carbon dioxide? Normally, this is something that is undesirable, since carbon dioxide is the original greenhouse gas, as our neighbouring planet Venus can testify. But in a controlled, genuine greenhouse environment, there is no real reason why the level of carbon dioxide should not be enhanced in some way.


Indeed, tests have shown that increasing the level of carbon dioxide in a greenhouse to 550 ppm will accelerate plant growth by 30 - 40 %. The natural level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is around 450 ppm, having increased from about 250 ppm in the last ice-age, so this slight increase may not appear significant at first sight. The point of the matter is that the level of carbon dioxide in the average greenhouse with the ventilation system closed will drop sharply due to uptake by the plants and will lie around 150 - 200 ppm if nothing is done about it. In summer the ventilation system will be open and the fresh air circulation will augment the level to a useful degree. But what about those long, cold, dark northern winters? Most commercial greenhouses will have lighting and heating systems to encourage plant growth, but you still cannot open the ventilation and allow the cold outside air into your heated greenhouse without losing all the early crops. The only real solution is to augment the natural level of carbon dioxide in some way. Where it is used, the general rule of thumb is to augment by about 1000 ppm when the sun is shining (or all the lights are on!) and keep the level around 400 ppm during times of darkness. This will require monitoring, since there are so many variable factors involved and a simple control unit using an infrared sensor will be able to keep the concentration of gas constant at all times.


Rate of consumption varies with crop, light intensity, temperature, stage of crop development and nutrient level. An average consumption level is estimated to be between 0.12 - 0.24 kg/hr/100 m2 of greenhouse floor area. The higher rate reflects the typical usage for sunny days and a fully-grown crop. This equates to roughly 150 litres of carbon dioxide per hour.


There are many processes that naturally and unavoidably produce carbon dioxide: Fermentation and combustion are two classic examples. In temperate zones it is necessary to heat a greenhouse (glasshouse is just another word for the same thing), and this heating will almost always involve the burning of fossil fuels, producing carbon dioxide. This leads to the natural urge to re-circulate the exhaust gas from the heating system into the greenhouse and so achieve a double advantage for the plants. This will require careful monitoring of the flue gas to ensure that there are at the most only traces of carbon monoxide being passed into the greenhouse. This is not only bad for the plants but also potentially lethal to the people working there! Such technology is available with gas monitors that will measure the carbon monoxide concentration continuously and have analogue outputs that can be used to regulate the burners or operate a trip to switch the unit off should problems occur. The combination of breweries with greenhouse systems is also serious business in some areas. Generally, these methods are to be approved and should really be worthy of government support. Not only are they producing crops, they are removing a pollutant that would otherwise be vented into the atmosphere.


Monitoring of the added carbon dioxide is essential, however, since high concnetrations of carbon dioxide can lead to dizziness or even unconciousness of the personnel. Some plants will require higher levels of nutrients to compensate for some of the changes that occur. Particularly tomatoes and violets are sensitive to increased levels of carbon dioxide, hence the need for constant monitoring of the ambient concentration.

Free radicals and oxyradicals play an important role in the development and progression of many brain disorders such as brain injury, neurodegenerative disease, schizophrenia and Down syndrome.
Glutathione is the brain's master antioxidant and plays an important protective role in the brain.
According to Dr. Jimmy Gutman, "The brain is particularly susceptible to free radical attack because it generates more oxidative by-products per gram of tissue than any other organ."
Many neurological and psychiatric disease processes are characterized by... abnormalities in glutathione metabolism and antioxidant defenses."

Generation of reactive oxygen species (free radicals) and oxidative damage are an important cause of neuron (brain cell) death from brain injury.

Chemicals that cause toxicity to certain brain cells are known to decrease cerebral glutathione (GSH), making the cells more vulnerable to reactive oxygen species (ROS).
(1)
On the other hand, over-expression of the glutathione peroxidase (GPX) enzyme potently decreases cell death from brain injury.
(2)
Brain Injury and Glutathione - The Gender Difference
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh have found that males and females respond differently to brain injury.
(3)
In animal models, levels of glutathione remain constant in females who have suffered a brain injury, but drop by as much as 80 percent in males with the same injury.
When glutathione levels drop, brain cells die much more quickly. This suggests that boys with brain injuries may require different life-saving treatments than girls.

N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), a precursor of glutathione, already approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat people who have overdosed on acetaminophen, may be an effective treatment for brain injury in boys whose brains are deprived of oxygen.
Brain Disorders and Glutathione - A Genetic Cause?

Genetics researchers have found that the glutathione S-transferase gene controls the onset of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease and determines, not if we get these diseases, but when. (4)
The glutathione S-transferase gene has previously been linked to the risk for Parkinson's disease among people who used pesticides.

Every minute of every day the cells of our bodies are assaulted by particles called oxygen free radicals, also called oxidants. We can't escape free radicals because our cells produce them during normal metabolism. Additionally, our every day environment contains an abundance of free radicals.
Unfortunately these radicals produce chain reactions that lead to damage of the DNA in our cells. The aging of our cells is partly the result of free radical damage, also called oxidation.
Fortunately there are some simple steps that we can take to minimize the damage and to promote and prolong the health of our cells.

Free radicals are molecules that have an unpaired electron. They are chemically active and can be thought of as scavengers. They easily bond with the molecules of our cells in a process called oxidation.
We are familiar with the normal oxidation process of metals such as iron. Iron oxide is called rust, and we know that rust can deteriorate the quality of the metal. Other metals also can exhibit oxidation which we generally call corrosion. We normally take steps to prevent the corrosion of metals.
Damage to our cells caused by oxidation is often called inflammation. And we can take steps to protect ourselves from cellular oxidation.

There are numerous chemical compounds that will neutralize the effects of oxidation. An antioxidant will bond with the free radical, creating a stable molecule, and prevent the radical from causing oxidation of the cell. This new molecule can then be removed during normal bodily processes.
The best known antioxidants are the nutrients, vitamins A, C, E and the mineral selenium. Numerous other vitamins, minerals, and enzymes perform important protective antioxidant functions.
Many of these substances, most notably the above mentioned vitamins A, C, E and the mineral selenium, cannot be produced by our cells but must be ingested through the foods we eat or the supplements we take.

The American Heart Association teaches us that atherosclerosis, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes, is caused by fatty buildups in our arteries. Oxidation of LDL cholesterol is a large factor in the buildup of these fatty deposits. According to the AHA, vitamin E is the best of the naturally occurring antioxidants for providing protection against the oxidation of LDL cholesterol.
Vitamin C is probably the most potent general free radical fighter. Its antioxidant properties are used by nearly every cell of the body. Vitamin C is a very strong immune system booster.
Here's an interesting item from the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. A study investigated the effects of various cooking methods on broccoli. It concluded that microwave cooking depleted 97 per cent of the broccoli's flavonoids, a major antioxidant. By contrast, steaming the broccoli depleted only 11 per cent of the same antioxidants.

How prevalent is microwave cooking in the kitchens of our homes? Dr Cristina Garcia-Viguera, co-author of the study, concluded that it is best "to cook vegetables in the minimum amount of water in order to retain their nutritional benefits."

To improve the health of our cells throughout our bodies, to protect our cells from the ravages of oxidation, it is essential to include a rich supply of important antioxidants in our daily diet. Two to four servings from the fruit group and three to five servings from the vegetable group daily are recommended.

If you find it difficult to consume an abundance of antioxidants from the recommended food groups, then taking daily supplements should solve the problem. Find easily digestible tablet or gel capsules from major companies or substitute good liquid supplements as a convenient and good-tasting alternative. As always, consult a physician before beginning a major new program

People often ask me why we keep returning year after year to Cape Town and my answer is always the same, because we've not seen everything yet!
"A world in one country" is the way South Africa is often described, but this statement can so easily be attributed to Cape Town alone.

Cape Town is one of the top destinations world-wide for vacations these days and now that South Africa has managed 10 years with relative stability and economic growth, people are rushing to take a look at this magnificent city.

Based in the Southern Hemisphere, its summer months are those of December, January and February; the winter months, June, July and August. For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, the destination for winter warmth is second to none.

What can you expect to see and do?
Mountains and sea dominate the landscape and shape Cape Town's character.
One of the first ports of call is Table Mountain, which fills the skyline with its impressive edifice and flat-topped surface. Everywhere you go in Cape Town is in the shadow of the Mountain, whose face changes as the sun moves around - it's something you never get bored of.

In the Waterfront, life teems with award winning restaurants, shops, entertainment, education and accommodation, all amongst a working harbour and docks. Brightly coloured fishing boats, jostle with cruise ships, such as The World.

Life on the ocean wave means boating, surfing, kite surfing, water-skiing, rock pools or just paddling. The sandy, white beaches stretch all the way along two coasts, one on the Indian Ocean, one on the Atlantic Ocean, with something to occupy everyone.

Animal life abounds, both in the wild and in more structured environments. The Two Oceans Aquarium in the Waterfront offers glimpses of the diverse life found off the South African coastline.
Down in the harbour, the seals lounge around in the sun, entertaining the visitors. Bird life is spectacular, from Egrets, Pelicans, Terns, Oyster Catchers, through to Flamingo's and birds of prey.
Away from the coast, wonderful inland towns such as Stellenbosch support a unique wine route, with hundreds of different wine estates. The Cape Dutch houses, with beautiful furniture and an insight into a life no longer with us, bring a whole new meaning to the word museum, whilst tasting of the wines produced on these estates bring us firmly back into the modern day. Busy holidays, lazy holidays, a combination of the two - all are on offer in this magical place, whilst the sun shines down with benevolence on a world in one country.

The demand for a stay in an ice hotel has never been greater. The first hotel made of ice opened in Jukkasjarvi, a Lapland town in the north of Sweden, in1990. The Ice Hotel concept has gripped the world's imagination since then.

Sweden remains the world's main venue for buildings made of ice. By exploring Sweden you might expect to find ice galleries, ice restaurants and ice bars as well as the ice hotels. But Sweden is not alone - the other Scandinavian countries have launched their own versions of the Ice Hotel concept. Even Alaska and upstate Quebec in Canada have built an ice hotel in the last few years.

The real adventure of an ice hotel is in staying overnight but many visitors simply arrive for the day to dine in the restaurant or to drink in an Ice Bar. There is nothing quite so warming as a shot of pure vodka served from a glass made entirely of ice.

If your hands are not too numb at the time then you can "tie the knot" in the coolest manner imaginable. Ice hotel weddings have become so popular that the Scandinavian ice hotels can't keep up with the demand. The original ice hotel in Sweden is only in existence for around four months each year before it (quite literally) melts away to nothing but it's remarkably busy during its short season. Fifteen thousand guests stayed last year and this year's Ice Hotel has eighty-eight bedrooms - thirty of them specially decorated suites created by local ice artists.

All of the ice hotels offer daytime activities and excursions such as ice-carving classes, snowmobile excursions, reindeer rides and dog sledging. The original Ice Hotel in Sweden also has a four hundred-seat theatre where guests can enjoy rock music, opera and other theatrical performances in the evenings. You can purchase Ice Hotel souvenirs and merchandise in the Ice Hotel shop and the concept has spread beyond Sweden. The original Ice Hotel company now run two permanent Ice Bars where the cool citizens of Milan and Stockholm can gather for an evening of "chilling."
If you're planning a visit to an Ice Hotel then follow these top tips on how to sleep well when the temperature in your bedroom never rises above minus five degrees.

Try to take part in an evening activity so that you're already tired when you go to bed.
Avoid the obvious temptation and don't drink too much - getting up to the toilet in the middle of the night is not much fun when it's minus five degrees in your bedroom!
Do make sure that your sleeping bag fits you snugly and wear socks, thermal underwear and a woolly hat in bed. Sexy it ain't! But definitely essential to a comfortable night.

Whatever happens you're sure to have a unique experience and are not likely to quickly forget the night you spent in an Ice Hotel.

Gary Hill is a travel writer based near Edinburgh in Scotland. He thinks his own bedroom is more than cold enough at times but the Ice Hotel concept seems to attract many thousands each year!

Five Affordable World Travel Destinations
So you want to travel the world but you have a tight budget? Are you tired of reading about everyone else's exotic adventures and ready to have some of your own? Have you always wanted to take an international vacation but thought you couldn't afford it? There are numerous travel destinations across the world that are both exciting and affordable. Five of them are described here to give you ideas and get you started planning your own getaway.

There are two ways to approach affordable vacations to distant destinations. Either you will save money getting there or the savings will occur once you arrive at your selected spot. If you want the trip there to be affordable, many travel consolidators recommend choosing well-known destinations that are served by numerous airlines and receive millions of travelers each year. The competition for customers usually drives costs down for everything from lodging to tour packages. Airfares between major hubs tend to be more affordable and there are often plenty of discounts and last minute travel deals.

London

In Europe, London is a top pick for affordable vacation destinations, for these exact reasons. Not only do you have more flights to choose from, they are cheaper than if you flew to a more remote location. On average, staying in London may be a bit more expensive than other European destinations, but the seemingly endless choices in hotels, restaurants, transportation, tours, and other travel essentials gives travels opportunities to mold their vacation to fit their budgets. And you can use London as your home base to set out on day trips to other more exotic locations or buy a Eurorail pass and see those more remote countries without the expense of flying there.

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

This theory also works well for traveling in the Caribbean. Belize is an appealing destination, with wonderful Caribbean beaches and a lush tropic setting, but since it has only recently emerged as a popular travel destination, it is more expensive than Cancun, Jamaica or other well-traveled locations along the Mayan Riviera. With fewer flights, getting there is more expensive, and there are few moderate lodging options. Development of larger luxury resorts have begun to boom, but the only real alternative for those on a budget is staying in local facilities that may be hard to locate from home and may be more rustic than most travelers are willing to try.
Although there are many options for affordable vacations in the Caribbean, an excellent pick is Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Accessible via flights to Cancun, which are often some of the cheapest in the region, Playa is just a half hour away. It is filled with a multitude of lodging choices, from expansive luxury resorts on the ocean to quaint but clean hotels downtown. From Playa, travelers can branch out and visit Tulum and other locations on the Mayan Riviera or take the ferry across to the island of Cozumel where snorkeling is prime and the attractions are many.
For Asian destinations, travelers often do better to focus on saving money once they get to their destination. Depending on your country of origin, getting to just about any spot in Asia is going to be a sizable chunk of your travel budget. The difference will come from the cost of lodging, food, entertainment and other travel expenditures once you arrive. By choosing destinations where you get the most for your money, you can save a great deal on your international vacation. A drink or dinner in Tokyo will costs you many times more than what it would in Saigon. The key here is to go where you dollars buy you more and where the local cost of living is low.

Tioman Island

An affordable yet exotic choice for Asia is Malaysia and specifically Tioman Island, knows as the mythical 'Bali Hai' from the film 'South Pacific.' Tioman Island is located at the southern end of the east coast of Malaysia on the South China Sea. It's sandy beaches, bordered by lush jungles and stunning mountains make it a relaxing yet intriguing destination, ideal for sun lovers, snorkelers and divers. The island also has many villages for exploring and shopping. English is widely spoken and the rates are amazingly affordable, with a two night lodging package for a suite at a lovely oceanside resort averaging around 100 U.S. dollars. Typically visitors reach the island via the speed ferry from the mainland. Although the trip can take over two hours, it is enjoyable and provides opportunities for dolphin watching along the way.

Buenos Aires

South American also has many destinations that are affordable because of the savings once you arrive. Locales like Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, the areas top destination, are coming down in price but are still more expensive than cities such as Buenos Aires in Argentina, where the rates are lower and the U.S. dollar goes further.
A huge metropolis that is more European than South American, the city has much to offer including cultural events, thriving nightlife, shopping, local sports, and a host of tours and excursions. La Boca, with its street performers, shops, and unique architecture is a big tourist draw. The large number of choices for lodging, restaurants, and activities provides opportunities for budget travel and savings. Airfare to the city is relatively reasonable for an international destination, with discount fares from the U.S. averaging around $500 round trip. Buenos Aires might not be one of the most exotic or inspiring destinations in South America, but it is a city that everyone should see at least once, and with some of the most affordable rates and fares around, it makes the list as a top South American destination.

Las Vegas

The list would not be complete without a North American destination, and the champ of all affordable locales is Las Vegas. It too is a city that should be seen at least once, and many world travelers return again and again for the gaming, art, shows and people watching that just can't be found anywhere else. Close enough to other top U.S. attractions like the Grand Canyon, Vegas provides other options for those who have had their fill of casinos.
The city has long been known for its cheap vacation packages with hotels and resorts that offer discount rates for rooms, meals and entertainment in hopes of attracting people to their gaming tables. Airfare rates into Vegas are some of the most reasonable in the United States, no matter the origination destination. And with more than 100,000 hotel rooms to choose from, there is sure to be a lodging choice that fits your budget.
The world provides hundreds of affordable travel destinations. With all the options available, there is no excuse to put off that life-long desire to travel to exotic places at the far ends of the earth. Destinations can be researched on the Internet or your travel consolidator can make recommendations and help with locating discount flights and hotel deals that fit your budget. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and explore the world.

 What is the meaning of a "dream vacation"? What is so magic about the word "vacation"? The word itself is so exciting and is looked forward with kid like anticipation all over! Kids and children like to take time away from school for change! Adults eagerly wait for the annual vacation! Take time off the routine office work. While Americans use the word "vacation", rest use "holiday"! In the past, upper class families would move over to their summer houses for a small part of the year, while leaving the usual family home vacant at least for a while. In Toto, this precious time was used to refresh and replenish the spent energy; all for a change.

Understanding the objectives of a meaningful vacation or a holiday is the first step in having a "dream time". A vacation is not meant to be a stressful and painful ordeal! Vacations are time to rejoice. Travel and be together. Planning well ahead means a well earned and happy vacation. Packing a well planned itinerary would probably make a big difference. Vacation time is meant for leaving behind all disappointments, sadness and failures of the year! Return back with full vigor and charged up spirits. Looking forward for a brand new year. Vacations are for every one! For adults and kids. Teens and elders.

Before taking any vacations, just ponder over the action plan. Discussing with family members could make one's vacation worth remembering for many years. Just dot down what you would like to do during the vacation. What do the other family members want from this vacation? Do they need fun and relaxation? What about those kids? Arming them with constructive activities during vacation could make them more intelligent and enterprising. Try to consider the age and temperament of the children. As they tend to get tired easily, packing too many activities in a day can make them dull on the next day. Just give respect to your kid's interests and hobbies. A pet loving kid may like to be among wild animals in zoos! While a studious and art inclined one may like museum or an art gallery. A sport loving teen may like to visit a sports arena like Super Bowl! Or a quiet one may just keep himself aloof and play video games on his PS2 or X Box.

If possible, deal with businesses that belong to professional associations such as the American Society of Travel Agents, the National Tour Association or the United States Tour Operators Association. If you're not familiar with a company, get its complete name, address and local telephone number.

You may be dealing with a telemarketer who has no responsibility to you after the sale. And be wary of ads in the newspaper, on the Internet or that you receive by unsolicited fax that offer deeply discounted vacations. These "deals" often contain hidden costs or don't tell you that you may have to attend a sales presentation to qualify for the discount or the travel. Avoid buying from a firm that wants to send a courier for your payment or asks you to send your payment by overnight delivery. The business may be trying to avoid detection and charges of mail or wire fraud.

Get the details of your vacation in writing and a copy of the cancellation and refund policies. Ask if the business has insurance and whether you should buy cancellation insurance. Get the names, addresses and telephone numbers for the lodgings, airlines and cruise ships you'll be using. Don't accept vague terms such as "major hotels" or "luxury cruise ships." Call to verify specific reservations, too.

If you don't get what you paid for, you may be able to dispute the charges with your credit card company. Some telemarketers may claim they need your account information for identification or verification. They don't. Your account number should be used only to bill you for goods and services.

Timeshares, campgrounds or travel clubs may offer to sell membership vacation accommodations for five years or more, or until you resell your interest. Unless you're certain you'll stay healthy, both physically and financially, and that the company selling the memberships will stay in business, prepaid vacations may not be right for you. In addition, annual membership and maintenance fees may rise. If the seller claims the fees will stay the same, beware. Beautiful properties today may be run-down in five or 10 years without sufficient maintenance. If you decide to buy a timeshare or membership in a vacation club, be aware that resales are difficult, if not impossible, because there's no secondary market. As for timeshares as investments: they rarely appreciate in value.

"You have been specially selected to receive our SPECTACULAR LUXURY DREAM VACATION offer" doesn't mean you'll get a free vacation. It means you'll be offered an opportunity to pay for a trip that may fit your idea of luxury - or not. "Subject to availability" means you may not get the accommodations you want when you want them. "Blackout periods" are blocks of dates, usually around holidays or peak season, when no discount travel is available.

Companies may offer to sell you identification that will "guarantee" you discounted rates. These companies have no control over discounts. Only suppliers of travel - cruise lines, hotel companies, car rental companies, or airlines - can decide to extend professional courtesies, and to whom.

Sunscape The Beach Punta Cana is located on the north east coast of the Dominican Republic & 50 minutes from Punta Cana airport. With one of the finest oceanfront location on the Caribbean island and protected by a coral reef, the all-inclusive Sunscape The Beach Punta Cana provides the perfect escape to turquoise blue water, white sand, and a forest of palm trees. For friends, families, and couples - the place for outstanding scenery, tranquility and hospitality is right here.

This amazing new all inclusive has everything on site for your perfect holiday, from a 24hr room service with selected menu to movies shown on a full-sized screen right on the beach! A Lazy River swimming pool meanders through the whole property - perfect for an inner-tube ride and is divided from the free-form pool by a waterfall. The spa & Fitness Center at Sunscape Beach will pamper, relax and renew providing a wonderful retreat, large sun terraces and gardens, towel-service for the pool and beach, daily entertainment with a variety of both land and water activities; fully supervised children activities at the Explorer's Kids Club with game room, television, kitchenette, live stage and nap area, children's pool; outdoor theatre with nightly entertainment including live shows and theme parties on the beach; disco, weekly Managers' cocktail party; four soft surface lighted tennis courts, tennis clinics, water sports center on the beach, diving center on the beach and Jacuzzi; bank/exchange office, tour desk and concierge service. Shuttle to casino at Secrets Excellence with drinks included. The Beach Punta Cana all inclusive resort is non-stop fun for everyone!

The resort offers a wide selection of 616 luxurious air-conditioned guest rooms in 9 connecting 3-storey buildings. A majority of the rooms provide full views of the Caribbean Sea and the most magnificent scenery in the Dominican Republic. A number of magnificent Deluxe and Honeymoon guest rooms and suites offer private Jacuzzis or swim-out pool access. All suites and guest rooms offer superior amenities including 2 queens or 1 king size bed, and fully equipped bathroom with hairdryer. All rooms are equipped with air conditioning, 25" satellite TV with remote control, direct telephone, in room safety deposit box (free of charge), mini-bar, and coffee makers.
This all-inclusive resort offers wide choice of dining options for the most discerning palate which include the following restaurants: Continental, Italian, Japanese, Mexican, Seafood, Tex-Mex as well as 3 buffet restaurants and 7 bars including Swim-up bar and Pool bar. All restaurants feature smoking and non-smoking sections.

More detailed information about over 400 all inclusive resorts in the Caribbean and Mexico could be found at SunVacations.org and Iberostar.info websites.
Sunvacations.org directory is truly one-stop information source for Caribbean and Mexican all inclusive vacations. SunVacations.org offers discount travel packages for all-inclusive vacations.

Traveling with children will be a memorable event - the question is "What kind?" Your chances of a lifetime memory you will cherish increase significantly with some advance communication and preparation.

The book, Love It or Lose It: Living Clutter-Free Forever, outlines a five-step process you can apply to organizing any area of your life - including traveling with children of any age. Make the children a part of the trip by letting them help you plan. Your children will enjoy the trip more if they feel they have some say about the agenda. Get books from the library, or do an Internet search, on the area you plan to visit. Give them some options of what to do and actually use some of their suggestions. Who knows? You may enjoy their suggestions more than you think.

The first step to happy memories is good communication. Start scheduling family meetings to plan - the earlier the better. At the first meeting, ask each member of the family to describe what he or she would like to have in order to have a wildly successful vacation. It's a great idea to put some structure into this discussion. Use a flip chart and have family members take turns recording answers. Subsequent meetings can be used to work out each of the next steps.

Mark Twain is credited with saying "Progress starts with the truth." Certainly that applies in this situation. For example, some teens simply do not think it's "cool" to travel with mom and dad. If you want your teens to enjoy their travel experience, make sure you understand what they like and dislike. With young children, keep in mind "less is more." A swim in the hotel pool may be a much better choice than another two hours at the theme park.

There could be several issues here. If your teens are working, they may resent having to miss work - or they may be delighted. In either case, find out their preferences, and see what you can do to accommodate them without jeopardizing your own needs. One of the issues likely to come up is the daily travel schedule itself. Young children need naps, teens may want to sleep late, while parents relish the idea of "getting an early start." Compromise is probably the best solution here.

Growing up on a farm in Nebraska, one of the things my daddy taught me was "Half of any job is having the right tool." While you may think it's ridiculous to think about "tools" for a vacation, it is really essential. For example, if it is impossible to reach a compromise about the music on the car CD player, headphones for individual players could be a godsend!
Tools can also include systems for the way you handle situations. One of the major keys to success in organizing any activity is focusing on individual strengths - if one child is particularly adept at photography, make them the official family photographer, while another might be a great navigator.

At the end of each day, take a few minutes for a "Check-In" session. What was the best thing that happened that day? Why? How can we make sure we have more like it? What didn't work? Why? How can we eliminate the situation in the future? Make sure you use this process at the end of the vacation - make some notes and put them in your GO System File (LINK HERE to http://productiveenvironment.com/index.asp?name= GO%5FSEMINARS&new=true&leftnav=true&lid=66) for next year's planning.

Here are some general tips you can use to ensure a great vacation:
? Choose age appropriate destinations. This doesn't mean every trip has to involve a theme park or sports event; it simply means keep the trip's educational value at a level they can comprehend and appreciate. If your children's ages span a wide range, have at least one activity geared to each child. Picking a hotel with a pool can make a big difference!
? Lay the ground rules early. Before you even leave the house, make sure your children know what is and isn't acceptable behavior on the road. As elementary as this may seem, if you don't tell your children what you expect, how can they oblige?
? Let the children pack their own suitcases as much as possible. Make sure each child has a small carry-on bag for which they are responsible. Include things they can do on the road or in the air--a walkman and tapes, comic books, handheld video games, etc.
? Decide ahead of time about seating arrangements and make contingency plans in case requested seats are not available.
? Establish a meeting place at each stop. Nothing could be worse that having a child get lost in an unfamiliar environment. Whenever you visit a location, identify a spot where the family can meet if you happen to get separated, or carry cell phones or pagers.
? Carry current photos of your children. That way others can help you locate your lost child. If your child can tell time, make sure they take a watch!
? Pack a first aid kit. Face it. Kids will be kids. That means scraped knees, bug bites, and cuts and bruises. When traveling with children, always keep a first aid kit handy.
? Check for children travel specials. Pre-planning can save you lots of money. Many airlines, restaurants, and hotels offer discounts for children, whether it's a "kids stay or eat free" deal or a "half-off children's rate." Let Internet-savvy children put their mouse to work for a happier vacation.
The most important thing to remember - flexibility. Traveling with children of any age is always a challenge. Spend more time enjoying the precious memories you will be creating and less time fretting over what could go wrong. Keep your sense of humor in full swing and happy traveling.

You will not have any problem visiting Costa Rica even with small children. Costa Rica is a country where most families have more then 1 child. The food is good and the number of tropical diseases found in Costa Rica is quite low.

There are many beaches where the waves are smaller in size and the hotels and cabins have pools. Allowing even familys with small children to have a nice time on their Costa Rica Vacation.
Costa Rica Vacations for Couples
A couple can go anywhere in the country and enjoy tranquility, serenety as well as the party side of life.
Many hotels and hostels have special romantic deals, tours and packages to make your stay something even more special.
Costa Rica can offer rental houses starting with the smallest and simplest cabin, all the way up to 5star+ homes you have only seen in TV. Some of the most exclusive rental houses in Costa Rica can even be rented with maid, cook and other help. All to make your stay in Costa Rica something to remeber.

The same goes for a wedding and/or honeymoon. Religion is important in Costa Rica and you can most likely find a church and priest for a wedding in almost any bigger religion.
And the honeymoon?
Well, get a nice room in Manuel Antonio or playa tamarindo and enjoy!

As in all parts of the world can singles have a good time. Party all night long and let your feet do the talking to the rythm of salsa.
Many bars, nighclubs and places where there are fiestas almost everyday can be found under every rock!
So take a look at Costa Rica for your next vacation, as it will never let you down!

There are buses going to every place in Costa Rica most of the day (and night in many cases). But to really get the most out of your vacation trip, rent a car.
You will see that rent-a-car not only is the place where you rent a car in Costa Rica, but it is an expression used for most companies renting cars.

The healing properties of greeen tea have put it in the forefront of today's wellness news.
Known for its versatile and positive properties benefiting the whole body, it promotes blood circulation and increases the body's natural resistance, helping with oxygenation.

Proponents of green tea claims it achieves greater harmony and improves the body's ability to handle the external physical and psycological pressures of life.

Green tea also prevents tooth decay and make teeth more resistant to acids, promote digestion and cleanse the body internally.

Unlike black tea, which oxidizes as it dries, changing the characteristics of the tea, green tea is flash-steamed for about 20 seconds to retain the maximum amount of active properties.
Green tea contains vitamin B, as well as C and E. Many tea drinkers say that they actually feel less tired and brightens their whole outlook.