Halfway Around The World On A Wing And A Prayer

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Cruise ships are a fun and engaging way to see numerous ports of call, enjoy a variety of activities and travel through beautiful regions. Cruise ship travel is, by nature, markedly different from any other form of vacation. So, you need to plan accordingly.

From packing to medical considerations, preparing for a cruise vacation goes beyond the basics of swim trunks and guide books. To learn about how best to prepare for a cruise vacation, keep reading for great tips on everything from packing your suitcase to warding off seasickness.

What to Pack on a Cruise Vacation

Ultimately, what you pack is going to depend on your cruise destination. An Alaskan cruise will require different clothing than a Caribbean cruise at the height of summer. That said, don’t let land temperatures fool you.

Particularly during the winter months, some cruises (like those leaving from L.A.) can be quite cold. Regardless of the forecasts on land, always pack a wind-resistant jacket and at least one set of clothes that will allow you comfort up on deck when things get chilly out at sea.

You’ll also need proper identification and proof of purchase to board a cruise ship. These will be required at every port-of-call, so pack your papers (including your health insurance) in a water-resistant envelope that’s small enough to carry with you if you plan to leave the ship.

Medical Considerations

You will most likely need travel health insurance for your next cruise vacation. When purchasing travel insurance, try to find one that’s geared specifically toward cruises and the legal intricacies of international waters.

Secondly, pack any needed medications. You may even want to pack extras or a spare if you intend to go to shore. For example, an asthmatic may want to pack one inhaler to carry in a pocket and another backup inhaler just in case.

Most cruise ships have a medical clinic and doctor or health professional on-board the ship, but this is typically a stopgap measure, not a full-proof backup.

Finally, if you’re prone to motion sickness, you can prepare for your voyage with basic ginger root. An herbal remedy, ginger root has been proven to help with seasickness while avoiding the side effects common with many pharmaceutical motion sickness remedies. Herbalists recommend taking the ginger root starting a few weeks before you actually leave on your cruise.

What You Should Leave Behind

Always leave behind a full travel itinerary and emergency contact information with family and friends. Most cruise lines offer an emergency number that can be used by family and friends in case they need to get in touch with you urgently.

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No matter what part of the globe you’re from, you’re probably going to be taking a vacation soon. Can you recall how well your last vacation pictures turned out?

The irony is that it usually takes the same amount of time to capture outstanding vacation pictures as it does mediocre ones.

So, what is necessary to take better vacation pictures?

It’s pretty simple, really. Here’s how to take phenomenal vacation photographs in ten easy steps: Take a few seconds before immediately snapping off 5 pictures and think about these questions:

1. Am I about to be eaten by a wild animal? (It may not be photo-related, but if the camera is also eaten, then…)
2. Is there a better angle?
3. Do I have the right image in my viewfinder? Think of the view as though you were about to crop the final image. Is there way too much extraneous material in the image (or far too little)? Having up to 20% more in an un-cropped photograph is a good idea, but much more than that could begin to degrade the resolution after the photograph is cropped.
4. Do I want to be in this shot? If so, use a tripod or ask a stranger to take the shot.
5. Could this photograph improve if a circular polarizing filter was used?
6. If I re-position myself, could I include something in the foreground (or background) that would improve the shot?
7. Are all my settings correct (at a minimum, consider: ISO, metering mode, fill flash, and white balance).
8. Would the photo be better if I had people (or no people) in the shot?
9. Would the photograph be more effective if taken using a portrait (vertical) perspective rather than a typical landscape (horizontal) perspective?
10. Would this photo be much more spectacular if taken at another time of day or night (assuming of course, that you could return then)?

Realize that you probably don’t go on that many vacations per year. Therefore, doesn’t it make a lot more sense to take a few extra seconds before taking your photos and be happy of your vacation pictures? Otherwise, the same old mediocre alternatives are still available.

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• Make Your Site iPhone Friendly

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Ayvalik is an old sea side town situated on the North-western Aegean coast of turkey, approximately 160 km North of Izmir, and 355 km South of Istanbul; originally inhabited by the Greeks until the mid 1920’s, it still has the characteristics of an old Greek town, with wonderful Ottoman Greek houses and old churches visible throughout.

The town is located on a coastal bay, where you can gaze across the Aegean Sea to the Greek Island of Mytilini, or alternatively view the nearby Island of Alibey (also known as Cunda) which has the riches of empty beaches, olive and pine trees and ancient monasteries scattered on the hill tops.

Ayvalik has a labyrinth of narrow cobbled streets that are tributaries leading down to the busy market area and harbour front, where you can spend your day perusing through the wonderful variety of shops, or just relax by the waterside watching the fishing boats come and go; alternatively take the ferry boat across to Alibey to visit the restaurants and tavernas.

The surrounding hillside is laden with groves of Olive trees, which are famous for producing much of Turkey’s highly appreciated quality olive oil; also the hills accommodate copious amounts of pine trees that assist in Ayvalik boasting some of the best levels of air quality within Turkey with it’s high levels of oxygen. A well-known beauty spot is locally known as “Devil’s Table”, where the views are spectacular and it is a must to witness the stunning sunset at the end of the day.

Near to the town are two fabulous sandy beaches, Altinova and Sarimsakli, which are easily accessible by the local bus service (Dolmus), taxi or car; the beaches are un-crowded and teems of fish are visible through the crystal clear water. Ayvalik has gained the reputation of being one of Turkey’s best locations for scuba diving, and you can also take boat trips from the harbour that will deliver you to various bays throughout the day to take a dip to cool off during your trip.

Nightlife in Ayvalik is of a relaxed atmosphere, where you can frequent the many waterside open-air restaurants, bars and tavernas or simply stroll along the harbour front absorbing the idyllic atmosphere.

Shopping

Within a few minutes walk of the house, in the heart of the town and harbour, the Turkish tourists throng the many waterside open-air restaurants. There are a vast number of shops in Ayvalik ranging from clothes and leather goods to traditional shops and side street establishments where iron mongers and bakers can be found hard at work.

There are several mini markets to do your grocery shopping or wait until Market day when the Greeks come over from Lesvos, along with visitors in their hoards. You can pick up some wonderful fruit and veg bargains or ‘genuine fake’ designer clothing as well as the real thing, along with some beautiful handmade embroidery and leather goods, but don’t forget to bargain! Fresh fish can be bought in abundance from Ayvalik’s daily fish market, which is an amazing sight to just browse or buy and cook back at home!

Things to do

Probably one of your first visits should be to Seytan Sofrasi (Devil’s Table). This is the highest peak in Ayvalik and is renowned for it’s spectacular views over the entire area and in particular it’s sunset over the Aegean sea and the islands. There are restaurants and cafes at the tope and a Turkish teahouse where you can relax and enjoy the surrounding beauty.

Along the harbour front, just past the restaurants you are faced with the daily boat tours, which is an absolute must and excellent value for money. About six or so large boats will be persuading you to join their crew for a trip around some of the smaller islands with several swim stops and of course a delicious lunch, of fried sardines, bread and salad -which never seems to stop!

Further along, just before you get to the marina, you will come across a local diving centre, which provides various courses for different levels of experience. The depths of the sea around Ayvalik reveal plenty of different species of fish, marine creatures and corals. You will also see people fishing all around Ayvalik. Basic fishing tackle is available by the fish market, or fishing boat trips from the harbour are available.

Between the fish market and the marina is a jetty with boat trips to Cunda Island (Alibey), this is also a must. The ferry runs late into the evening - although it can also be reached by car, dolmus or bus across the causeway. Cunda has a lot to offer with numerous restaurants along the quayside, but wander into the pretty village as well because there are other restaurants and bars which might be cheaper. Musicians tend to turn up with a guitar and play Turkish love songs whilst you eat and drink into the small hours.

I have bought home made butter and cheese on Cunda which is absolutely delicious. There is also a range of little stalls where you can buy locally made jewellery, pottery and textiles very cheaply for yourself and gifts to take home.

Of course there are beaches by foot on Cunda as well, but if you are hiring a car or a moped can access other beauty spots like Patricia or the ruins of Moonlight Monastery.

Beaches

Down at the harbour you can get a dolmus or taxi to the nearby beach of Sarmisakli which is approx. 5k along the coast road and is the best place to swim where the vast stretch of beautiful beach and white sand welcomes you. You can hire jet ski’s, paddle boats and depending on which end of the beach you are there is a banana boat as well.

Just before Sarimsakli, between the road and the pine forest is the beautiful beach of Badavut, which is quieter than Sarimsakli and has cafes selling simple food at reasonable prices.

Climate

The average temperatures range from 21°C to 30°C during April-September but there have been highs of 31°C to 43°C during the same period. The region has a typical Mediterranean climate with mild and rainy winters with hot dry summers.

Transport

There are various ways of getting to Ayvalik; the most direct route would mean flying into Izmir ADB Airport and either hiring a car or getting a taxi from the airport, which could be arranged on your behalf. Last summer this was about £60.00 UK sterling. Transfer time from the airport to Ayvalik is about 2.5 hours, the distance being approximately 91 miles along the coastal duel carriageway; alternatively take a taxi to the bus station in Izmir and a coach to Ayvalik which is incredibly cheap. Another option favoured by some is to fly to Mytilene (Lesbos) and get the ferry across to Ayvalik that takes around 40 minutes, I know First Choice fly to Mytilene. However, I believe there is only one crossing per day, i.e. from Mytilene to Ayvalik at around 08.30 in the morning and returning at around 18.30 in the evening. Details are available through Jale Lines Ferries (jaletour-@hotmail.com). An alternative is to fly to Istanbul and get a domestic flight to Korfez Airport, Edremit, and then a taxi or hire care to Ayvalik, which is then only 40 minutes away. One can also get a ferry from Istanbul to the new ferry terminal in Ayvalik (takes about 6 hours), which is due to be opened this summer.

There is talk that the Korfez airport may receive International fights some time in the future, but this is yet to be confirmed.

Whichever route you decide it will be an adventure, and a well worth one, because the delights awaiting you upon arrival to our house and Ayvalik will become treasured memories.

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All Inclusive Caribbean Vacation

If you want the best all-inclusive travel Caribbean resort, then you ought to look for more than just room with sun, sea, and sand. Hey, it’s not called all-inclusive for nothing you know.

You want your all inclusive travel Caribbean resort to have, if not everything, then at least, something really close. A buzz on the beach by day, a dining room open to the night air, water sports and other activities to go crazy on, a lounge deck within earshot of the waves for a relaxing afternoon, and a comfortable to retreat to – all that is available if you choose your all-inclusive travel Caribbean resort well.

More and more people are pampering themselves at all-inclusive travel Caribbean resorts where everything they could ever want is right at their disposal. What’s more, lots of these all-inclusive – about 79% - of them are beach front properties or sitting near lakes and other bodies of water where the views are spectacular.

Below are our top choices when it comes to all-inclusive travel Caribbean resorts:

Breezes Bahamas

Located on the eastern end of Cable Beach, Breezes Bahamas is the epitome of warm breezes wafting across an azure sea. This all-inclusive travel Caribbean resort was previously the venerable old Ambassador Beach Hotel. In 1995, the world-famous Super Clubs took over management and the resort underwent major renovations.

Breezes all-inclusive travel Caribbean resort is truly all-inclusive. At Breezes, almost everything you could ever want is included. Room accommodations, all meals, all snacks, unlimited wine or beer with lunch and dinner, as well as alcoholic drinks, mixed with premium brand liquors at each of the four bars, the list just goes on and on.

Not only that, but this all-inclusive travel Caribbean resort also includes most of the water and land sports activities, as well as airport transfers, taxes, and gratuities – all in one upfront price.

Club Med Turkoise

An island all-inclusive travel Caribbean resort, Club Med Turkoise is located directly on the white sand beach of a desert island called Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos, Caribbean. Although the land is arid and flat, unlike what you may expect of a tropical island, Turks and Caicos do draw the card with its breathtaking beauty and the astounding view of the beach and sea surrounding it.

With miles of white sand and translucent turquoise water, Club Med Turkoise all-inclusive travel Caribbean is the ideal for sports lovers and scuba divers. There are a total of 298 rooms, all beautifully appointed with comfortable accommodations, 3 meals a day, including unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, most sports, and nightly entertainment.

Le Sport

“Give us your body for a week and we’ll give you back your mind.” That’s the line Le Sport at St. Lucia uses on their clients. And indeed, this all-inclusive travel Caribbean resort does just that. With its quirky outlook on how an all-inclusive travel Caribbean resort should be, Le Sport has been helping the weary business traveler relax, suing a combination of holiday treats and intense pleasure of personalized rejuvenation.

Convinced to go? Read the vacation packing checklist tips before you go there.

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As the seasons begin to change so does the Farmers Market.

Summer fruıts and vegatables are becoming a bıt more expensive and in shorter supply and fall produce is coming ın.

The morning hours have the market full and the aromas and fresh. As the day progresses the prices come down.

About 5 o’clock there is still a good varity and the prices are better.

This week İ will be making Sour Dough bread.

This looks like a five year plan… It’s amazing how the law of attraction is accurate and rapid. There is a belief that money is no object.

I didn’t understand that for many years…. Being aware allows us to see how money is not an object… it is energy.

Time to get a flight to New York.