The Beau Rivage

I recently spent three delightful days in the Beau Rivage resort and casino . This resort casino is located in Biloxi Mississippi on the Gulf Coast. When viewing Biloxi from the air you can really see that it is an island. Surrounded by water on the Back Bay and by the Bay of Biloxi on the other side.

When checking in I was given a choice to stay on the lower floors or the higher ones I chose the higher ones. I stayed on the 23rd floor of the hotel which had a magnificent view of the city, the Back Bay and also of some of the surrounding towns such as Ocean springs which in itself is a great little town to visit with it shops and many restaurants.

I was quite pleased with the room at the hotel as it was very large including the bathroom with its double sink separate tub and shower. The service was excellent. The only drawback I found was the hotel did not have Wi-Fi in the rooms. You could get an Internet connection with a ethernet cord that the hotel supplied at no charge. The only Wi-Fi spot was in the coffee shop in the main lobby. The buffets were fantastic and reasonably priced. When checking in we received a players card which entitled us to $30 of free slot machine play which was a nice touch. You may use valet parking or self parking. If you do choose self parking you will have a little ways to walk from the garage through the main lobby to the elevators going into your room. All in all we really enjoyed our stay there and would recommend the Beau Rivage resort and casino to everyone. If you go to their website you will find some great package deals like we did.

Cuisine in the Phillippines

The cuisine in the Philippines is influenced by Japan, China, Spanish and American. The main staple of the Filipino diet is rice. In the Philippines the majority of people boiled, steamed or roasted their food. They used many spices from all the islands. Rice is served with every meal and even used as a snack.

Chicken and pork are also popular in in the Philippine. The most famous Filipino dish Adobo which is considered the national dish of the islands. This is made with either chicken or pork similar to a stew but is heavily seasoned with vinegar and soy sauce. There are many other popular dishes such as sautéed vegetables sausage and shrimp made into an egg roll. So while traveling in the Philippines don't be afraid to taste the local cuisine as you will be pleasantly surprised.

Singapore

If you are looking for an exotic getaway you might want to try Singapore. Singapore is a multi- culture society. Many people from all over the world live in harmony together. There is a very low crime rate in the city it is clean and boast of a green environment.

Public transportation is a contributing factor that makes the city of Singapore and attractive place to live in. It continues to grow and develop.



Singapore is a shopper's paradise. Orchard Road is the famous shopping district in the city it is equal to any major shopping district in the world such as Beverly Hills on the famous shops of Paris. Singapore is a modern city but the planners have taken great pains to conserve the old and blend in the new. So check with your travel agent for some great package deals to one of the hidden jewels of Asia.

Vacation Ripoffs

Vacation ripoffs can easily happen to anyone. An example of this while doing your research online you find the perfect hotel at a reasonable price. The photos on the website look great so you book it.

Upon arriving at your hotel you find that nothing matches what was on their website. The hotel looks rundown and in need of maintenance including the parking lot which is full of potholes. This is very frustrating to say the least I know because it happened to me.

This is the way I handle the situation I went to the front desk told them their website was very deceiving and canceled my reservation immediately. They charge me a $15 administration fee. After discussing with my credit card company this situation they remove the fee. This can easily happen to you but don't lose your cool just walk away these type of people won't be in business very long.

Credit Card Suprise

After enjoying your exotic vacation on your dream island in the Caribbean or the South China Sea you have returned home and are reviewing your expenses. This is the time that you discover " the credit card surprise."

While reviewing your credit card statement you noticed several surcharges for purchases while you are abroad. This is just another way a credit card company that rips you off. They have added a 2% fee for foreign transactions. This is a fee that is charged to you for doing absolutely nothing. One way to combat these fees is use your debit card whenever possible your exchange rate will probably be better and the fees are much smaller. You might also want to take a certain amount of cash with you on your vacation. When carrying cash just be sure to be aware of your surroundings and safeguard your belongings at all times. If your credit card fees seem to be extremely high and their are a lot of add on fees you might want to consider canceling this card and obtain a better one.

Bali

If you are dreaming about spending your vacation on an exotic island in the South Pacific you might consider the island paradise of Bali. Bali has a lot to offer the leisure traveler some of the best beaches in the world and ancient temples to explore.After shopping in the quaint stores of this beautiful island and dining in world-class restaurants you might want to explore the beautiful mountains on this island with its lush jungle trails endless hiking paths. You may just want to explore the beautiful surf and sandy beaches of this magnificent island paradise.

Bali is known as the island of the gods and truly lives up to its reputation. If you're looking for a truly exotic island vacation you will find none better than the island of Bali. Check with your local travel agent they can put together a package for a vacation that you will truly remember on the island of Bali.

Island Funiture

When you think about island furniture you picture yourself in a beach chair sitting at the edge of the sea on some exotic island. Did you know that beach furniture goes back as far as the Egyptians 5000 years ago. Wicker chairs and baskets have been found in Egyptian artifacts and also on the island of Pompeii.

In modern times Wicker furniture indoor and outdoor is found in homes around the world. When choosing your furniture ensure you pick a durable type of Wicker furniture that will last for many years to come. There is no sense to invest in a cheap set of outdoor furniture that will only fall apart in the tropical sun. A well-made set of islands furniture will help you bring the beauty of the tropics and nature indoors. So when shopping for your leisure furniture weather for use on the patio or the living room choose a reputable furniture company with a proven record of customer service and quality products.

Beach Property

If you are looking for beachfront property as an investment or simply to build a vacation getaway you are fortunate as this is a buyers market. In Florida and California property values have dropped drastically and there are some real bargains.

The first step in obtaining beach property is ask yourself do I want this as an investment, for use it as my primary residence or as a vacation home to enjoy my golden years. This will help you to determine what type of beachfront property you will require.

If you do not have a preference as to what state you would like to live in Florida will probably have your best investment properties. Florida has no state tax and property taxes have just been cut by the new governor this is definitely an advantage for you.

I have discovered an interesting investment in beach property in Daytona Beach Florida. They have what is called a condo hotel. This is simply a hotel located on the beach that has an abundance of rooms. You may purchase one of these small efficiency at a reasonable price. I found some as low as $35,000. The idea behind this you may use it at your convenience as a vacation getaway and the rest of the time have it rented out by the week or day. There is a management company located on the property to handle the details of renting the property for you. The HOA fees cover all utilities, cable and trash removal as well as housekeeping duties.

So check with your real estate agent to see if owning beachfront property is the way to go for you they can advise you of the pros and cons of this.

Vacation Homes

You are dreaming of a exotic vacation on a faraway island but after checking the prices with your travel agent you are getting very discouraged. There is a way to make your dream come true the secret is you have to be flexible. Instead of booking a hotel room you might think about a vacation home. The secret to this is to travel with someone who you trust and enjoy being around so you can't share the expenses.Let us take the island of Fiji for example. A vacation home can be rented on Fiji for as low as $200 a night. Even sharing this expense with one or two other people you have cut your bill in half. Many vacation homes come with all the amenities private pools and maid service is not uncommon. Many vacation homes have three bedrooms and at least two bathroom and are located in safe areas. If you rent the vacation home for at least a week there is generally a discount so you could end up paying between $1000 and $1200 for your complete stay of a week. So check with your travel agent to see if they can get the information on a good vacation home on where you are planning to travel. You could save money and have even a more enjoyable vacation.

Buying In The USA

Many people are looking for a vacation home or investment property in foreign countries such as the Bahamas the Caribbean and Mexico. Sounds like an exotic adventure but to make this dream come through you must be extremely careful as to what you are buying.

To avoid many problems you might want to consider purchasing your dream vacation home or investment property in the USA. Florida in particular has magnificent deals on real estate. For example can you imagine buying a one bedroom one bath condo two blocks from the beach for between $19,000 and $25,000 you will never find that in another country. You also have the benefit that the real estate transaction will be in English and easy to understand. There are many beautiful and exotic properties for sale in such places as Marco Island Florida, Cape Coral Florida and along the Atlantic coast. So before investing your hard-earned money in another country you might want to contact a reputable real estate agent and find some real bargains right here at home.

The Bogus Cruise

If you have been contacted by mail or even e-mail that you have won a free cruise beware of these offers generally there is no such thing as a free cruise. Many times the people offering this free cruise will tell you it is a promotional ticket offered by the cruise company.

Generally with this scam you will be informed that all you have to do is pay a $99 processing fee. This could actually be a scheme to steal your personal information or sell you a cruise that does not exist. The best way to combat this is just say no.

An easy way not to be ripped off is do not rush in to making a deal. Take the time to verify the offer by calling the cruise line. Pay by credit card never with cash or check this will offer some kind of protection in case this is a bogus offer. Insist on paying the cruise line directly never to a travel agent. Be sure to use a reputable travel agent that has references that can be checked. It's a jungle out there so be careful.

Monster in the deep

The Philippine Islands is a beautiful place known for its sandy white beaches and great scuba diving and swimming.


Can you imagine while taking a relaxing dip in the beautiful Clear water surrounding the Philippines running into this guy! Wow this 21 foot 2000 lb. saltwater crocodile was captured in the southern Philippines alive. It is probably one of the largest crocodiles to be captured alive. It took 100 people to pull the over 2000 pound crocodile from the water to a waiting crane which lifted it into a truck. This crocodile was suspect in the killing of a local fisherman and was also seen attacking and killing a water buffalo. The area that the mammoth crocodile was caught in was similar to our Florida Everglades and not a place where tourists or locals would actually be swimming and enjoying their vacation thank God for that.

They are planning to put the massive croc in ecotourism park where I'm sure it will be the star attraction. The local villagers said they are glad to be rid of this monster but are very leery because there are two more massive croc's lurking in the area. They have been warned to stay away from the marshy areas especially in the evening hours until they can be also caught. I'm definitely glad this is not my job but my hat is off to the brave hunters who protect their villages by capturing these monsters.

Vacation Condo Rental

While planning your vacation you might want to consider renting a vacation condo rather than staying in a hotel room.

Sometimes you will find this less expensive if you are staying for a longer period of time such as two weeks or more. Some condos can be rented on a daily basis but most will be for at least a week or more.

Some of the benefits of renting a condo would be they will have a great location with beautiful views, more space and everything you need will be included in the price. Another money saver most condos have a kitchen and you will save money by not eating out and also by not having to tip on most occasions as if you were staying in a hotel. Many condos will have amenities such as a portable sauna or hot tub, or be located right on the beach. Many condos will offer housekeeping as an option. So while trying to decide what to do on your vacation condo rental verses hotel contact a local travel agent who can explain the various options open to you.

Advantage To Using a Travel Agent

Is there really an advantage to having a travel agent plan your vacation? The answer to this question is yes. A travel agent has access to many different vendors this can save you money because they have the latest information available on sales and promotional deals offered by airlines, cruise line and rental car companies.

What should I expect from my travel agent? A good travel agent can arrange travel either domestic or international. They can assist you in passport and visa applications. A good travel agent is up-to-date on regulations required when traveling to a foreign country.

A good travel agent can actually custom design your vacation. If you prefer smoking or non-smoking areas while traveling such as on airlines or hotel rooms. Making sure your frequent flyer numbers are credited. Scheduled events around your personal interest and address any budget concerns you might have. Many travel agents specialized in certain kinds of travel such as adventure tours, scuba diving or mountain climbing you have many choices. So when planning your vacation save yourself time money and a lot of stress contact a reputable travel agent and let them handle all your travel needs.

Camping Activity

Camping is a great way to re-connect with the natural world. If you have a demanding job and you have a little time to spend with your family, camping is bonding time. It is the best way to unwind and enjoy with nature and be with your family. You will be able to spend quality time with your family while enjoying the activities such as fishing, cooking in the great outdoors. Imagine yourself sitting around on a bonfire and I bet everybody will enjoy this activity.

To go camping, you need certain items such as camping tents, camping stoves and various kinds of camping gear. Prepare a backpack, batteries; compass, flashlight, a camping lantern and maps just to name a few. A tent is a major item that you must bring for the camping trip. Make sure it provides excellent height and space inside as well as designed for easy pitching. Also, make sure it has a waterproof ground sheet. Be sure to look for a stove that is portable and lightweight. If you are looking for a Website to buy all your needs for camping, check out the links provided here. This online store provides you everything you need for camping and it is safe to order. For payment, they accept credit cards, PayPal, money orders and personal checks at your convenience. Visit the Website for more information.

Daytona Beach

You are planning your vacation and would like to go to some foreign exotic beach island but in the hard economic times that may not be possible. So why not have a beautiful exotic vacation in the good old USA.

A good example of where to go would be Daytona Beach, Florida. There are many attractions and entertainment to be found in a family friendly environment. Did you know there are 23 miles of beautiful beach in Daytona? There are many museums and historical sites in and around the area also world-class entertainment. You might just want to stroll down the board walk where you will you find hot dog vendors small shops and bicycle rentals. There are many entertainment options such as oceanfront shopping and seaside dining.

Be sure to check with your travel agent as many of the hotels are located on the beach with beautiful view of the ocean from your balcony. There are some great package deals offered at this time of year. Some beachfront hotels have prices as low as $59-$95 a night including a great breakfast in the morning. I don't stay home Summer is coming to an end don't miss the opportunity to enjoy the bargain prices.