For the Smart Money Cookie

The phenomenal area of Africa named South Luangwa has been called the very best place to safari in Africa. The park has been made famous in many years by the countries most influential animal experts. Folk will often be able to observe huge groups of lions as well as charming boars.

The area is well known for its outstanding driving safaris and is a big seller with all UK tourists. The changing weather makes the park irrestible with a desert season through out winter and a green brilliant jungle feel over June and July. During the changes in season the animals can change giving folk a different aspect. Visit the South Luangwa National Park through Shenton and see lions upclose.

Unearth the charm of South Africa with a walking safari vacation and be at one with the beautiful wildlife. The incredible rivers and big cats can often make people feel alive with energy. UK Travellers will be able to take large volumes of photos and take home the most credible memories.

South Africa comes with a profuse number of animals in its regions and you can easily get the perfect photograph of a giraffe. If you are not used to a walking safari you might well go on a driving safari and watch large amounts of the country all within a short amount of time. When you have completed your walking safari by day you will then go back to your apartment to relax. Many apartments are five star and stunning.

Public Activity & Image

Individuals of the British Royal Family engage in several official royal functions daily, across England as officially documented in the Court Circular, to honour, support and to find out about the achievements or actions of people institutions and businesses in an assortment of parts of life. As representatives of the sovereign, they continually connect with the nation in celebrating historical occasions, holidays, celebratory and appalling affairs & typically she also funds or participates in several hundreds of charitable, intellectual & public activities. For details about the English Royal Family, visit the Enjoy England website.

Their trips overseas on behalf of the United Kingdom (called State Visits when the sovereign formally visits other government officials) draws public notice to amicable associations within and between the Commonwealth and other nations, to British freight and trade, & to Britain as a historical, vacation, & tourist location. Their present functions & conventional jobs makes up the height of a current “royal court,” and present a distinctly British and historical show to services (I.e. Trooping the Colour) & flavour to public demonstrations (For example, Garden Parties, Royal Ascot).

Throughout their lives they receive an enormous amount of media attention in the shape of pictorial, newspaper & televised commentary on the topic of their lives, family contact, means of passage, characters, costumes, actions, and public assignments.

Funding

Funds that aid the Monarch in the running of her position as the chief of state of the UK comes from the Civil List. This is a return of a little part of the takings from the Crown Lands that are given up by the head of state to parliament at the swearing in of each and every reign; all Crown Land being administered by The Crown Estates, an association that is solely responsible to parliament. In the two thousand and three-four economical year, the sum amount provided was one-hundred and seventy-six million pounds, where the Head of State’s expenses was merely thirty six million pounds. The Queen’s spending does not contain the price of protection.

An all inclusive vacation not only saves you time; but also gives you every sort of comfort you could think of. This type of vacation package includes everything from itinerary planning to hotel bookings; site seeing packages and adventure sports trips. All inclusive vacations are enjoyed by everyone as they are so easy to book, saving you time by arranging all the different aspects of the trip in one easy step. These packages are designed for those people seeking comfort and ease from their holidays right from the word go.

The popularity of all inclusive vacations has seen large increases, due in part because of the busy lives that we lead. We often find that booking a much needed vacation gets pushed to the bottom of the list as it’s too time consuming to arrange. However, all inclusive packages are suitable for even the busiest person, as they are so straight forward to book.

The most important decision you need to make when booking an all inclusive vacation involves thinking carefully about what you wish to get from your holiday. Are you after a break that involves nothing more strenuous than walking from sun lounger to the bar and back or do you want to be involved in activities from 8am to 7pm? It is up to you to decide the exotic location that can give you all the comforts and amenities that you need.

You can choose from beach vacations that offer lots of water sports or breathtaking mountain views that give you opportunity for adventure sports. No matter what location you choose for your vacation, you can usually be happy that everything you need is included with the booking. Although, it is worth pointing out that not every vacation package is created equal. Read the small print carefully to help you come to a decision. Some holidays, for example, only offer local brand alcohol, or buffet style meals, whereas with others there are no such restrictions.

There are numerous travel agencies that offer all inclusive vacations, covering a wide range of budgets, destinations and levels of service. You can select from the available range according to your holiday budget. A good tip is: if you have left your booking to the last minute you can take advantage of discounts that the operators offer on unfilled vacations. If you are not worried about visiting a particular destination - and lets face it, most people on an all inclusive vacation rarely leave the hotel grounds - shop around for the best deal. This way you can get a really luxurious holiday for a modest amount.

Kirsten Whittaker offers readers the opportunity to read more articles on all inclusive vacations here or for further information and resources visit All Inclusive Guide

It was a hot day, so when the couple finished a morning stint at the beach, they opted for a little shopping - in their swim wear. Wrapping a see-through, flimsy scarf around her bikini bottom, and he in his flip flops and sloganed t-shirt, they sallied into a sheik little shop on the main thoroughfare. Onlookers gasped and stared. Mothers covered the eyes of their gawking children. Mature men and women snickered or shook their heads. “They must be Americans”, one salesclerk whispered knowingly to another. Unfortunately, she was right.

When traveling, whether for business, pleasure or vacation, it pays to mind your manners. Americans especially are becoming increasingly known for their disrespectful behavior while abroad. Did I say becoming? The image of the “Ugly American” is already far too widespread. The stereotype of the loud talking, wise-cracking, inappropriately dressed, wealth-flaunting American foreigners who flaunt their lifestyle while traveling is unfortunately, all too real in some aspects in far too many cases. With anti-American sentiments growing worldwide, international corporations from Microsoft to McDonald’s and business publications like the Wall Street Journal have addressed the theme time and again. Here is some advice on how to foster a better, more intelligent, educated and respectful image when you travel abroad.

Know the local geography

Planning a trip abroad? First order of business - get a map and study it. Have an idea of how the city and its environs are laid out. Know important sites and landmarks. Many good travel guides provide essential information on getting around. This can be especially important if the local language uses a non-western alphabet writing system. On a recent trip in Colombia my wife and I listened in amusement as a foreigner explained to his family the compass directions - incorrectly. He had the directions of north and south reversed despite having the Pacific Ocean sunset in plain view.

Dress moderately

Not enough can be said about paying attention to local dress code and customs. In many countries it is disrespectful for women to dress casually, showing bare skin or body parts, in public. Bare hairy chests or legs on display, even for men, can be considered offensive in many cultures. If you’re not sure what’s appropriate, ask discretely or check informative websites for information on local customs. A useable rule of thumb is no bare legs, torso, back or arms when in public places. Emulate the dress of the locals to be sure you’re being respectful of their cultural norms. Embera Indian women, normally topless in their culture, cover up with a colorful wrap when they visit non-Indian towns and villages along South America’s Pacific Coast so that they are respectful of the social norms of their neighbors. Embera men, with their normal thong loin cloths, wear T-shirts and pants outside their villages for the same reasons.

Watch what and how you speak

Your speech is reflective of who and what you are. It can be a useful tool for the melding of cultures or a battering ram of discontent. Don’t create resentment by continuous babbling about your “affluence”, power, business or social status. People don’t care to hear how “inferior” their way of life may appear to be to you.

In part 2 of this three-part series, we’ll look at what to say and how to say it when traveling abroad in: “Mind Your Manners When Traveling: Religion is Taboo, Politics are Out”.

Please feel free to e-mail me with comments or questions at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com

Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an expert author and photographer offering Web Content Writing Services for top-quality articles on: Education, Language learning, Salt and Fresh water fishing, exotic foods, South American travel and culture, Ethnic issues - Blacks, Latinos, Indian native tribes, Health, Internet business resources and more … His work has appeared in Transitions Abroad, South American Explorer, Escape From America, Mexico News, Brazil magazine and hundreds of sites online. For fr*e*e sample articles and available web content e-mail: lynchlarrym@gmail.com

Hampton Court Palace is situated to the south west of London, on the edge of the River Thames, bounded by land and spectacular gardens. Hampton Court Palace, Henry 8’s spectacular waterside dwelling can be found in more than 500 acres of parkland and gardens. Whilst on holiday in England why not Visit Hampton Court Palace the riverside home of King Henry 8th.

Evoking the ambience of more than four-hundred and fifty years of customs, fancy dressed actors can be observed in Henry 8’s & King William 3rds elegant own houses. The scenes, sounds & aromas of the inspiring Tudor kitchens where royal occasions were set-up for Henry?s court of over 600 visitors can also be viewed.

Hampton Court Palace has been separated into 6 different routes or excursions. The Maze at Hampton Court Palace which is located on the Thames to the west of the City is possibly the most distinguished hedge maze on this planet.

Hampton Court palace has an awful history and is said to be populated by several ghosts, including two of Henry eights departed wives & a nursemaid to his children. Hampton Court Palace stewards & staff will be close by to aid guests to their nominated state room for a sparkling wine and canap?s reception. Uniformed callers will announce the evening meal and guests will be requested to go to their selected seats for a breathtaking two course meal with top quality fine red & white wines.

Hampton Court Palace has over sixty acres of ceremonial grounds besides the five hundred acres of royal woodland. The palace grounds go back to the 16th Century, when the original Privy Garden was installed between fifteen-thirty and fifteen thirty-eight for King Henry the eighth.

Uganda is a beautiful country with an impressive people. This is one of my favourite countries in all of Africa. The people of Uganda have survived the troubles of 1967-86 period and emerged standing upright and wearing a smile. In that short period, the country suffered under the caprice of two despicable despots. One was the indisputably insane Idi Amin and the other, the arguably insane Milton Obote.

This is now history - a testament of the dignity and endurance of this people. The transformation of the country in the period since normalcy returned is nothing short of astounding. And it shows in the faces of the people you meet. That the graceful beauties of Uganda have not received the recognition they deserve in international beauty pageants is for me incontrovertible proof that most of these events are really fixed.

Winston Churchill was so besotted by the country that he gave it the name that has endured: the “Pearl of Africa”. His observations about Uganda remain true today: “The scenery is different, the vegetation is different, the climate is different, and, most of all, the people are different from anything elsewhere …in the whole range of Africa”

Travelers to Uganda are drawn by its stunning landscape - green rolling hills, snowcapped mountains, rainforests, majestic rivers and massive lakes. There are also a number of outstanding national parks for your safari encounter with the wildlife for which Africa is renowned. Unfortunately, I have to advise you to skip a few well-resourced parks such as Kidepo Valley in the north and Mgahinga in the west as they are not considered safe. The country’s edge as a worthwhile destination is further enhanced by its endowments for white water rafting and sport fishing.

It is in Uganda that you find the highest number of primate species anywhere in the world. Opportunities for tracking rare mountain gorillas and chimpanzees are unrivalled elsewhere. The primate conservation efforts the country has followed are bearing fruit. A recent survey carried out by the Wildlife Conservation Society and the Jane Goodall Institute in collaboration with the Uganda government, revealed that there are now 4,950 chimpanzees in the country. Previously, scientists guess for this number was between 3000 and 4000, but nobody knew for sure. The chimp is our closet living relative, sharing 98% of our genes and much of our behaviour. Uganda is the best country in the world to view chimpanzees in their natural habitat.

The best place to see the rare mountain gorilla is at the 331 sq. km Bwindi National Park. This park was formerly known as the Impenetrable Forest with good reason. The trees are thick and the forest thicker with dense undergrowth, creepers, bamboos and parasitic plants such as mistletoe and orchids. This environment is the habitat for mountain gorilla’s, chimpanzee, and 8 other species of primate. Not less than half the world’s population of an estimated 600 mountain gorillas have sanctuary here, making Bwindi the base for an important scientific conservation program.

Gorilla tracking is limited to small groups and the licenses are issued to ensure minimum disruption to the routine of the animals. Tracking the gorillas is an arduous task and you should be prepared for up to 8 hours of hiking. Good physical condition is a must. You are advised to make arrangements 4-12 months prior to the date of your visit. Bwindi is essentially a rain forest and it is necessary to bring along a raincoat, walking boots and gloves.

In addition to its star gorillas, Bwindi is host to elephant, bush pig, giant forest hog and over 300 species of birds including rare forest birds. Others who have found a home in this ecosystem include many types of bats and rodents, 14 species of snakes, 27 species of frogs and toads, 6 chameleon types, 14 lizards, skinks and geckos and 200 species of butterfly. Bwindi is to the west of the country and is 560 km from Kampala.

Though not as famous for safari as neighboring Kenya and Tanzania, Uganda still has some pretty good game sanctuaries. The 3,840 sq. km Murchison Falls National Park is the largest and most spectacular of them. Aside from game, this park is renowned for its scenic beauty. Rolling savannah, tall grasslands and thick bush woodlands make the park. But you are advised not to miss out the magnificent waterfalls after which the park is named. The waterfall is formed where the Nile tapers from 50 metres to rush through a 7 metre gorge, falling 45 metres in a breath taking leap. This phenomena is said to be the most powerful natural flow of water anywhere on Earth.

If you are patient, you can catch some really huge Nile Perch at the foot of the falls. What kind of fish can withstand such a force that exists at the foot of the falls? Charles Norman describes his fishing day out with a companion who on seeing the massive fish “…let out a strangled squawk and I found myself staring at the hog-sized back of a huge fish protruding above the water at the rock’s edge - a 100kg fish with scales the size of tennis balls. Swimming next to it was a smaller one, a ‘midget’ of a mere 40kg or so”. This adventure is described by the prodigiously experienced Charles Norman as “…the most exciting morning’s fishing that I have ever known.” Other game fish found in the Nile include Barbel, electric Catfish and Tiger fish.

The game you come across in the park includes elephant, hartebeest, leopard, lion, giraffe, buffalo, hippo, crocodiles and many species of antelopes. Upstream of the Murchison Falls are the Karuma Falls, where the Nile cascades over 23 kilometres of rapids. Here you have some of the most exciting white water in Africa. Murchison Falls is located 330 km from Kampala.

The Queen Elizabeth National Park is another outstanding treasure. It is a UNESCO designated a Biosphere Reserve for Humanity. The recognition arises from the tropical forest, green meadows, savannah and swamps that constitute the park. In terms of wildlife, you find elephant, buffalo, hippos, baboons, chimpanzees and over 600 species of birds. The park occupies 2000 sq km and is situated 440 km from Kampala. At the northern end of the Queen Elizabeth, you find Kibale. This park has a unique forest habitat and has an excellent diversity of animal and plant life. It is at Kibale that you find the highest number of primate species in Uganda, and one of the highest primate densities and diversities in the world.

Traveling from Kampala to the Queen Elizabeth or Bwindi, most visitors break at Lake Mburo National Park. The park is 230 km west of Kampala along the Mbarara road and is the most accessible in the country. It is a very attractive park of rolling hills, open grassy valleys, interspersed with thickets, woodlands and rich wetlands. In addition to viewing game including zebra, cape buffalo and eland, you can relax by taking a boat trip on Lake Mburo.

The fairly flat terrain of the country is interrupted to the west by the Rwenzori mountains and to the east by Mount Elgon. Rwenzori , otherwise known as “Mountains of the Moon” has the third highest peak in Africa after mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro. The Rwenzori is part of the national park of the same name and contains 6 snow-capped peaks. You can hike the trails of this mountain without any special climbing equipment unless you want to go for the peaks. The mist covered mountain range stretches for about 100 km.

Mount Elgon sits by the Kenyan border and is the shell of an ancient volcano. The main attractions here are the waterfalls, caves that were once used by indigenous people, hot springs, the mountains vegetation, the various peaks, the Suam Gorge and the cladera itself. After millions of years of erosion, the oval shaped caldera now measures roughly 7 by 8 kms, one of the largest in the world.

The traveler with a sense of history will want to visit the source of the Nile at Jinja. Jinja is 60 km to the north east of Kampala and is easily accessible by road. This is where the White Nile begins, as it exits Lake Victoria on its 5,600 km journey to the Mediterranean. The source of the Nile was a thousand year old mystery that was decisively settled by the explorer John Speke in 1862.

If you are keen about culture, go for the The Kabaka’s Trail. This is a unique journey through a part of Uganda’s rich heritage that has been shaped by the region’s kings over the years. The Kabaka is the ceremonial king of the Baganda and his lineage goes way back to the 14th century. The Trail combines a series of cultural sites, all within easy reach of Kampala. You can easily combine the Kabaka Trail with your Search of the Nile excursion to Jinja. The Trail offers much more than sightseeing and you will learn about the hidden and forgotten history of Uganda. You will also experience an authentic tribal culture - with traditional dance, music, craft making, spiritual healing and storytelling.

There is international standard accommodation in Entebbe, Jinja and Kampala. The quality is variable in the smaller towns and rated accommodation is scarce. All of the major national parks offer accommodation in game lodges and tented camps. See our Uganda hotels page to view info and book accommodation for your say in Uganda.

If you want to drive around Uganda, you need to show an international drivers license to hire a vehicle. Roads radiate from Kampala and are of varying quality. In the north of the country the security situation is still doubtful and so are the roads. Its is a good idea if you are on self drive to get local advise about the condition the roads you intend to use. See what we offer for rental at our Uganda Rental Cars page.

Uganda enjoys a tropical climate tempered by altitude. The hottest period of the year is from December to February when temperature rise 29 degrees Celsius. For the rest of the year, temperatures range between 21 to 25C.The country experiences two rainy seasons: April to May and October to November, with April being the wettest month. The best times to visit are December-March and June-September. Light informal clothing is generally adequate. But you need warmer wraps and sweaters for the evenings and early mornings. You are also advised to carry some rainwear, just in case.

Andrew Muigai is editor of AfricaPoint Insider online newsletter. It is part of Africapoint.com - the Africa travel website that has helped thousands of travelers discover Africa. You can view more info on Uganda safaris at the website. www.africapoint.com/tours1/ugantour.htm

The bigger your family, the harder it is to find time to spend with each other. Family getaways are one way to carve out some time in that hectic schedule.

Family Getaways For A Little Time Together

If you have a family, you know how hard it is to schedule a trip. Everyone in the family has a different idea on where to go, and a different schedule to work around. The kids might have sports events and music lessons, while Mom and Dad have a job to go to. If a long trip isn’t in the cards for your clan, family getaways can be a great solution to taking a trip together.

There are many different family getaways that can be fun and entertaining to the entire group. Depending on your area of the country and the time of year, you can visit such diverse places as the Catskills in upstate New York or the Wisconsin Dells. Many resorts and hotels offer packages to families looking for a short stay, and with the number of different activities available in these areas, there will be plenty to fill up your time.

If you choose to stay in the Catskills, a picturesque area of New York State that is in the Adirondack Mountain range, you will have a lot to see and do. This area was made famous by people from New York City, who flocked here in the 1950s and 1960s to stay in the relative wilderness and calm of the Catskill area. If you enjoy hiking, fishing, boating, swimming and just plain relaxing, this area is for you. The Rocking Horse Ranch, located in New Paltz, New York, offers families horseback riding, outdoor activities such as hiking, swimming and much more. This resort is all-inclusive, so everything comes with one price including activities and food.

Living in the Midwest United States might mean a trip to New York is out of the question, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the beautiful Wisconsin Dells. Known as the home of the indoor waterpark, this area has the most indoor waterparks in the world. The Great Wolf Lodge, in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, has over 70000 square feet of indoor waterslides for your enjoyment. It is also home to a 20,000 square foot “live video game adventure” known as Wiley’s Woods. Many other nearby water and amusement parks make this destination a kid’s paradise if you have younger ones.

Family getaways may not be as long as the week trips of past generations, but there is still a lot you can see and do in a short time. Choose a resort area that has much to do in a small area, and spend your together, enjoying all that your getaway has to offer.

Public Service Announcement: Drinking and driving is bad. With
that said I’ve drank and drove a few times in my day and have
puked in the back of cars while someone drunker than me was at
the wheel. My question wasn’t meant to be judgmental but rather
compassionate. They were drunk; the streets were dark and
littered in potholes. When all is said and done I know I would
have jumped on the back of either of their scooters. I just
needed assurance that we weren’t going to take some drunken
steroid infested crotch rocket ride reminiscent of high school.
You’ve got to hate crap like that. The next portion of our
conversation seemed to flow like there was no language barrier
at all. Ton explained that he was careful to make the necessary
judgements to drive safely. This wasn’t one of those times when
someone drinking shouldn’t drive. This was one of those times a
person uses his judgement correctly. The idea of harming
himself or another person was foreign to him. This appears to
be the norm in a society built upon few enforceable laws but
harsh penalties for living. His outlook was refreshingly
unique. Most of us live in a world where we aren’t trusted to
make our own judgements. He has no choice. I soon discovered
upon exiting the gala that it had never been their intention to
drive. The party was just down the street. The energy reached
a fevered pitch as we rounded the corner and entered the rear of
the bride’s house. I walked stoically onto the back patio with
my head held low. I do this for a variety of reasons. The
primary reason I do this is in my everyday life is because I
find if I look up the craziest wacko will undoubtebly engage me
in a conversation. I did it in Laos as a sign of respect.
Bowing is an integral aspect of the salutation and this way I
was half way there. The depth at to which you bow and the
duration all reflect your position in life relative to the
person you are addressing. The corresponding hand positions are
difficult if not impossible to master by anyone except for the
natives so I don’t suggest trying. Just keep your head low and
don’t look someone in the eyes unless you are given indication
that it’s appropriate to do so. Two more reasons to keep your
chin low. Let’s just say that walking into a communist country
like a goddamn red, white and blue peacock perpetuates certain
stereotypes that affect our relationships with other countries.
The second reason is simpler. People taller than the mean
height of 5′3″ will ultimately take a roof of the house to the
noggin sometime during their stay in this vertically challenged
land. About 40 people were comfortably dispersed in 4 primary
groups. One group was inside the house and used the back patio
door to supply food, drink and a constant flow of new people to
the party. One of the people in this group was Pond’s wife who
we unfortunately didn’t get to meet. She was too busy working
behind the scenes. I assume it’s a traditional bonding time for
the mother, bride and her girls. The second group was dancing
around a tree just brought out by a woman from inside the
house. It was the Lamvong dance, except they were all circling
the tree together. It was a small space so I can see why. The
third group was a table of primarily older men drinking and a
rare 2 smokers. Not many people smoke in Laos and this was the
first time I saw anyone smoking in such a public space. I
greeted what to me looked like the oldest guy at the table. I
would say he was about 48. This is old in a country with an
average life expectancy is 54 years old. He was also one of the
smokers. Yeah right…. Smoking kills. We grabbed two seats at
the ends of the “old-guys” table and spurted out “kop chi li
li” another 30 or so times. A fourth group congregated along a
makeshift bar situated behind us on the perimeter of the lawn
and street. This is where the guys who brought us to the party
set up camp. Within about 6 seconds of sitting down a 1/3 full
glass of BeerLao was between my eyes. I took a drink and
watched my friend Paul try to explain that he would prefer soda
water. It was basically a long-running joke at this point into
our 5-day Laotian trek. I can’t explain how foreign the concept
of abstaining from drinking is to the Laotian people. Laotians
don’t have any concept of not drinking because of personal
choices. Many people don’t drink often because it doesn’t bode
well with their health, but this wasn’t the case. Let’s just say
it wasn’t the first time people would be brought into hysterics
upon a toast from Paul’s soda water. It only got funnier each
of the 25 additional times he declined a drink. Being able to
consume and abuse almost anything at our discretion is not the
situation in Laos. There isn’t the same kind of access to
external factors. Their gentle personalities and suspicious
nature is a reflection of their lack and oftentimes desire of
material goods. This is ideologically different than western
capitalism principals that are slowly being adopted since 1990.
Not to mention the U.S. did conduct a secret war in 1973 that
left it the most bombed country of the Vietnam War. I know you
probably don’t want a history lesson, but the rational was to
cut off the northern trade routes of the Ho Chi Min Trail in
order to curtain the spread of communism. There I said it. A
few short minutes later a sharply dressed Pond walked into the
party. He wore a purplish blue iridescent silk oxford with the
sleeves rolled up. Both his wrists were tightly wrapped in a
white cloth rope - traditional Lao boxing style. He looked like
a bad ass as he sat down between me and Paul. Pond quickly got
offered a drink from one of the 4 people who were circling the
table like vultures looking for sober victims. A variety of
drinks were being served. Variety, however, is a relative word
in Laos. No apple martinis or cosmos - just whiskey and beer.
Up until this point I had only drank Whiskey Lao and Tiger
whiskey, which appear to be the two competing, brands. At 8000
kip ($.80) per bottle I was happy to see the party upgraded to a
bottle each of Johnny Walker Red and Black. One woman also
carried around a pitcher of diluted whiskey and water. This is
what you drank when you wanted to stop drinking. The great
aspect of drinking in Laos is the one glass rule or in this case
one glass and one-shot glass rule. This ensures that when you
are given a drink you pound it immediately. In general when
drinking beer in Laos the person who buys the 40’s-esqe glass
bottle pours a drink for himself before offering the glass to
the surrounding people. This is brilliant for 2 main reasons.
The beer stays cool and fewer dishes are made for our bride
throwing the party. Pond, myself and the rest of the people at
the party continued to drink and speak in whatever means we
possibly could. A lot of time was just spent laughing enjoying
the collective moment we were sharing together. Paul excused
himself after the party turned into an alternative version of
the century club. One drink per minute for 100 minutes. It
was probably during the 58th minute when the food came to the
table. Traditional Lao drinking food. Rather than pretzels and
buffalo wings the Lao people make extraordinary hot mango salads
to entice drinking. I’d eaten a super hot mango salad in
Thailand just days before so I was aware what I was in for.
The dish was passed immediately to me and the elder at the table
began aggressively coaxing me to take a bite. I grabbed the
spoon and took a small bite hoping to overt their attention.
This really didn’t work. Now I was being ostracized for my lack
of bite. The elder took the large Chinese soupspoon and started
burying it deep in the salad. His eyes and the 12 other leering
pairs made it apparent I needed to bring my game to the table.
I grabbed back the large spoon and made a single aggressive
swoop into the salad. The spoonful of salad I pulled out was
about as much as the spoon was designed to hold. Unfortunately
it is nearly impossible to dump out any overabundance from the
deep metal spoon because of their high vertical edges. Not much
else to do but take the bite. I don’t remember what happened
for the next 3 minutes. I do remember about 3 minutes later
feeling like my head was going to spontaneously combust and that
I had probably not been breathing for the three minutes prior.
Once my eyes rolled back around to the front of my head I
noticed a very concerned elder offering me a shot of whiskey.
This is only the second time in the evening I refused a drink.
Instead I opted for an outstretched glass of BeerLao. After a
quick shot of beer I lunged for the shot of whiskey and then a
glass of diluted whiskey. It’s a pretty amazing situation when
a shot of whiskey is smoother than a hot mango salad. In
retrospect I should have taken the shot first. These guys knew
what they were doing. I’m pretty sure Paul had returned by this
point to witness my hiccuping frenzy caused by the ridiculouslly
hot food. The guesthouse was locked and instead of waking up
the owners twice he opted to come back to the party. What a
considerate guy! The night progressed in this standard fashion
for a while until Pond excused himself from the table. Much of
the rest of the table cleared at this point and headed in
separate directions. Group #4 hanging out by the back bar was
still in full stride. It was time for the friends and
youngsters to take the reigns of the party. One of the 10 or so
twenty year olds was strumming a guitar and a variety of other
guys were intermittently interjecting lyrics. We weren’t going
to leave the party without listening to some tunes. After the
first few songs the guitar was extended our way. Paul was
always up for hacking out some obscure song that no one in Laos
had ever heard of. To be honest unless you knew Betterman by
Robbie Williams, a little N’sync or the “it’s a hip - a hop - a
hip” song they probably would have no clue. Paul broke out a
funky upbeat song that got the crowd clapping - although at a
very different beat than the song suggested. Next we broke out
Creep and some of the guys joined us in singing the melancholy
mumbling of Radiohead. It was probably the loudest we ever sang
that song. Pretty soon DJ Jacky Joe was at the stereo plugging
in burnt CD’s from Malaysia and Thailand. Most of the music was
completely unfamiliar to me, but there was a couple of
compilation CD’s that caught my eye. I recognized 2 songs. The
Final Countdown by Europe was the first track and I hadn’t
passed this song by since 1985; so why start now? The crowd
seemed to like my selection based on the amount of air guitar I
saw being played. Next up was a little “Beat It” by Michael
Jackson. Unfortunately this was the worst karaoke version of
“Beat It” I’ve ever heard. In retrospect the complete lack of
knowledge of Michael Jackson has got to be a good thing for any
society. The party slowly unwound into a sparing match between
a 4-foot tall Bruce Lee fanatic and myself. After a few tornado
kicks, a mock punch to my nuts and a lot of posturing it was
time to go.

This experience opened my eyes to a country that first started
allowing Westerners to enter in 1989. Our knowledge and
experiences are skewed by the boundaries and institutions we
place ourselves. It was wonderful to escape to a place where
those boundaries are outside any field I have ever walked.

©2003 TrekShare LLC - Reprint with Permission.

Have you ever given anyone a health or fitness related gift, only to have the recipient get offended because they assume you are saying they need to lose weight or get in better shape? Trust me, it can get ugly. And the ones who get the maddest are the ones who need it the most!

Here are some tips for healthy gift-giving this holiday season that will help you give a nice gift, while maintaining your relationship with the recipient.

First, understanding the benefits of regular exercise yourself will allow you to share a gift with someone in the true spirit of love and concern for them. If the recipient can understand you are looking out for their best interest and want them to live a longer and healthier life, the gift will be well received. A corollary to this first point is to give a fitness gift to someone who already understands the importance of healthy activity in their life.

Second, select a gift that can also be used when the person is not “exercising.” A nice sports watch, for example, can be worn as a regular digital watch on a regular basis, then kick into timing laps or keeping pace when the person is working out. Heart rate monitors can be worn without the chest transmitter strap, similarly providing regular sports watch functionality until the user needs that heart rate measurement.

People love high-tech gadgets. Especially men. So the third point is to find something that uses new or innovative technology. In the health and fitness world, there are several products that fit this bill. Timex makes some incredible speed and distance units that use GPS technology to give constant readouts on speed, distance, pace, and more. Newer units also come with heart rate monitors and can send all that data to a separate recorder unit that can download training data to your PC.

Perhaps no one puts high-tech into a wrist unit better than Finnish company Suunto. Their wristop computers are the ultimate in multi-function training devices. They range from simple functions like time, date, and stopwatch to the more advanced altitude, temperature, and EPOC (excess post-exercise oxygen consumption). Suunto even makes units that will keep your golf score, and measure the speed of your swing.

Finally, choose something simple that can be a constant reminder to get more regular physical activity than the recipient is currently getting. A pedometer is a great tool for motivation, as it constantly reminds you to take more steps per day. Pedometers count steps, distance, calories, time and much more (depending on the model). A person can clip one on their waistband and go all day-whether deliberately “exercising” or not-and keep track of their effort.

Whatever health and fitness gift you decide to give this holiday season, be assured you are helping the recipient live a better and healthier life. That’s truly the “gift that keeps on giving.”

Visit RYP Sports for the best health and fitness products at the best prices. Check out our new Gift Ideas section for holiday gift suggestions. Learn more about pedometers with our free pedometer e-book, available at www.rypsports.com