My Travel Tales

Whether you're going uptown or downtown, <b>New York is versatile and sexy</b>! Home to the world's most fashionable women, the opportunities for shopping in New York City is unrivalled.

<b>Saks 5th Avenue</b>

This venerable New York establishment has been around since 1924 and is the <b>epitome of grace, style and elegance</b>. You can shop till you drop with their extensive collection of products from America and Europe. The information booth on the 50th street side offers quick tips on how to explore ten floors of pure luxury. Start at the basement where the waft of perfumes from the cosmetic counters set the scene. Then take a trip through the <b>in-store designer boutiques</b> namely, Chanel, Gucci & Louis Vuitton. Saks is still famous for its unique shopping experience and boasts the finest men's department in New York, the best sales imaginable, great value and impeccable sales staff who treat everyone with genuine respect. For a look at the real ladies who lunch, take a peek at Caf?FA on the 8th floor.

<b>Bergdorf Goodman</b>

Conservative sophistication with a twist! Bergdorf's might have a classic air but it <b>houses the most modern of designers</b>, namely Jean Paul Gaultier, Chloe, and Kate Spade, also paying homage to the younger set with mid-price collections by DKNY, Marc by Marc Jacobs, and Bergdorf Goodman Special Custom Collection by the Fashion Institute of Technology. Located in the elegant Vanderbilt Mansion, this store boasts <b>resplendent views of Central Park</b>. The handbag department is one of the best in the city, stocked right through from Prada to Chanel. Stop at the shoe department for a coveted pair of Jimmy Choo's or if you prefer your Manolo's you're guaranteed the latest styles. The seventh floor houses gifts and antiques, bridal services and fur collections. Watch out for <b>end of season sales</b> which offer great savings.

Now you can drop your shopping bags and go upstairs to one of the city's best kept secrets. The <b>Susan Ciminelli Day Spa</b> atop of Bergdorf Goodman offers skin products that not only turn back the clock but also imbue your skin with a radiant glow. Susan's products are made of the purest essential oils, the finest botanicals and natural seaweed.

<b>De Beers</b>

A little <b>South African diamond in New York</b>: De Beers opened their store amidst great fanfare, joining the ranks of Cartier, Bulgari and Tiffany&Co. At the opening of this 6000-square foot boutique, guests got to walk on Swarovski crystal and delight in de Beers's <b>203-carat Millennium Star</b>, the largest pear-shaped flawless stone in the world. 1000 visitors frequent this store daily, enjoying the plush lounge area and the fact that no sales assistants hover. Selections range from $500 to $8 million, and include classic diamond jewelry, plus three fashionable collections of rings, earrings, pins, necklaces and bracelets. There is a <b>bridal bar</b> on the second floor where couples can pick out their engagement rings. The "beauty scan", technology which is unique to De Beers will provide your wife to be with a true picture of just how bright her diamond sparkles.

<b>Prada Flagship Store</b>

The <b>coolest shop on earth</b> for the coolest clothes in the universe! The collaboration between Miuccia Prada and Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas turns shopping into a theatrical experience with screens and media installations. 23 000 square feet of retail space at a cost of $40 million, offers you a more <b>imaginative shopping experience</b> than the usual stores. First stop is an interactive kiosk where you can find out all sorts of facts about Prada. There is a massive glass elevator that you can shop in, and plasma boxes flash images and information at you while try on impeccable designs. The whole design space looks like a giant wave and there are retractable display cages for merchandise. Computer-equipped dressing rooms have glass doors made with <b>SGG's Priva-Lite technology</b>, which enable a two-way mirror experience. While you are trying on you can watch what's going on outside. This is exactly the kind of space you would expect from someone charging $600 for a pair of shoes.

<b>Butik</b>

Danish supermodel <b>Helena Christianson</b> has opened her own signature store with Danish partner, Leif Sigersen. Butick, the Danish version of boutique, houses a heady mix of eighteenth century antiques set off with black roses, marvelous organic chocolates and Matthew Williamson candles. This <b>quirky mix of vintage and modern</b> is sourced mainly from Scandinavia and Paris. You'll find Norgaard Paa Stroget's striped maritime T-shirts, and one-off retro-print skirts by Rutzou. Camilla Staerk's understated footwear, handbags by Ricka, and Veronica Civa's jewelry. This shop is worthy of exploration and chances are you'll bump into someone famous. Actress Maggie Gyllenhaal and Russian model sensation, Natalia Vodianova are regulars. Butik is a stone's throw away from Nicole Fahri's boutique, 202.

<b>Barneys</b>

All style gurus' know that Barneys is a <b>celebrity hangout</b> as it has the hottest fashion, delivered fresh from seasonal shows. This is New York's fashion capital when it comes to department stores, so come on in all you fashionistas. From <b>fur and mile-high stilettos</b> to the latest in jewelry and handbags by designers like Fendi and Hermes, this store has it all

Hoover Dam, also known as Boulder Dam, is located on the Colorado River on the border of Arizona and Nevada, 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas. With a height of 726 feet, it is the second highest dam in the United States. (The Oroville Dam in Butte, California is 770 feet high.) Construction of the dam began in 1931 and was completed in 1936, two years ahead of schedule.

The dam crosses the border between two time zones, the Pacific Time Zone and the Mountain Time Zone. Lake Mead is the reservoir created behind the dam.

Hoover Dam is named after Herbert Hoover, who in 1922, while Secretary of Commerce under President Warring Harding, met with the state governors of seven western states to work out a plan for the use of the Colorado River. The result was the Hoover Compromise, which paved the way for construction of the dam. In 1928, Congress approved the bill to begin construction of the dam.

The contract to build the dam was awarded to Six Companies, a conglomeration of Morrison-Kneudsen Company of Boise, Idaho, Pacific Bridge Company of Portland, Oregon, Utah Construction Company of Ogden, Utah, Henry J. Kaiser and W.A. Bechtel Company of Oakland, California, MacDonald & Kahn Ltd. of Los Angeles, California, and J.F. Shea Company of Portland, Oregon. Later the Union Carbide Corporation was contracted to assist with refrigeration.

Hoover Dam began generating hydroelectric power in 1936. It provides a total of 2080 megawatts of power for parts of Arizona, Nevada, and California.

Hoover Dam was designated a national historic landmark in 1985.

The Guanches are believed to be the first inhabitants of the Canary Islands. Where they came from is still uncertain, but they could actually be a mix of Berbers from the north of Africa, and scandinavian vikings. Written material from the spanish

Holiday gift shopping for your sweetheart can seem to be a difficult task, and many men put it off until Christmas Eve because of this. Knowing a few basics about the art of selecting a gift for a woman can help make your shopping trip more successful, and less stressful. Following are some hints about how to find the perfect holiday gift for your sweetheart.

Choose Something Just For Her

The first tip is this: never buy her a gift that you would like to receive. You probably would not make the mistake of thinking she wants a new John Deere tractor. But you may think that home electronics items like TVs and stereos are fabulous gifts. A new plasma TV is probably not on her gift list. But if a TV, or even a tractor, does happen to be on her list, be sure to buy the one she wants, not the one you think she should have.

Avoid Housekeeping Aids

Another pearl of wisdom: never buy your sweetheart a household appliance, or something to make housework easier. She almost certainly will not be pleased. She may decide to clean house — by getting rid of your items. This prohibition includes cleaning products, like that extra large container of laundry soap that finally went on sale. A new, high-tech vacuum cleaner might be something she wants, but not as a Christmas gift from her sweetie.

Keep It Personal

Another clue to remember when searching for the perfect holiday gift for your special someone — a Chia Pet, or a house plant, is not a romantic gift. Your sister might like to receive a house plant from you, but it is probably safe to say that your sweetheart will be expecting something a little more personal.

Lingerie and nightwear can be a great holiday gift idea for that someone special. But avoid the flannels and the granny panties. That type of gift sends the message that you do not find her desirable. Buy her the sexy stuff if you're leaning towards a gift of lingerie.

Don't Cut Corners

Jewelry can be the perfect gift for the woman you love for Christmas, but there are a couple of pitfalls to avoid. Always remember that an imitation diamond does not cut it, either figuratively or literally. Imagine the embarrassment she will feel when she tests her new ring in front of her friends by trying to cut glass with it. Such a scene could have dire consequences for your relationship. Buy the real thing.

Don't Trust Your Fashion Sense

For many men, clothing often seems the ideal gift, especially when the women in their lives love clothes. If you are thinking about clothing for your special someone, please reconsider. While many men think they have a good sense of women's fashions, in reality few do. If you give her clothes, she may act appreciative, but don't ever expect to see her wear them.

Take A Hint

Although it may seem obvious, one of the most important gift-giving clues is: listen. Many women drop detailed hints about what they want. If you pay attention, she will probably tell you exactly what to buy for her. You can never disappoint her by giving her something she wants.

Presentation: Part Of The Gift

Never underestimate the power of presentation. Beautiful paper, nice boxes, and bows that sparkle can set the stage, and increase your sweetheart's anticipation of your gift. Duct tape is never acceptable, and plastic grocery bags do not make good gift bags. If you hire someone skilled to wrap that perfect gift, you give your sweetheart the gift of beauty in presentation, in addition to the gift within.

Your Love Shows Through

That "perfect" holiday gift may be something elusive, and always just out of reach. The gift you give her, whether perfect or not, if chosen thoughtfully will send the message that you cared enough to make the effort. Figuring out the perfect holiday gift for your special someone can be difficult. But following the above guidelines will help you put a smile on her face this holiday season.

It's snowing here in Pennsylvania. The snow has covered the ground and the roads are getting slick. The falling snow is a sobering reminder that it is about to get real cold in the northeast! Many people have decided to throw their diets out the window until the New Year. With Thanksgiving past and the more holidays soon to come, it almost seems pointless to try and stay fit.

But it is my job to tell you otherwise. Actually one of the best things you can do for yourself this holiday season is to pay attention to your diet and fitness program. I realize that you may have parties to attend and holiday cookies to bake, but that does not mean you are destined to gain the winter 5- the five pounds of fat most of us will gain this holiday season.

Here are a few helpful hints to keep you on track this winter. The overall secret is to simply keep your eating habits healthy most of the time. We will all have times that we indulge a bit more than we had planned. We will drink a bigger glass of eggnog or we will have an extra slice of fruit cake. All sorts of unplanned overindulgences can happen at holiday parties! It's almost a given.

The trick is getting over the guilt and getting back to normal. If you ate a bit more, forget about it and resume your normal diet. Skipping the next meal will not help you. It will actually hurt you. Your body does not understand the idea of banking calories or skipping meals for the sake of losing weight. Your body only knows that it must be fed every few hours or else it is not receiving the proper nutrients and glucose necessary for normal functioning. Eating every few hours keeps your blood sugar levels in check. Skipping a meal because you over indulged earlier in the day is not a smart idea.

On the reverse, if you know you are going to your holiday party at work and plan to eat until the cows come home, do not skip meals before hand. This is also considered banking calories and works against your metabolism. Once we set ourself up for failure, we can only fail. As soon as you begin to think about skipping meals so you can eat more later you are thinking about calories and weight, not nutrition and health. You are also mentally preparing yourself to eat a lot and lose control.

It would be more beneficial for you to eat regular meals throughout the day. This will leave you feeling satisfied and you are actually less likely to over eat at the holiday work party. Plan to succeed and not to fail.

Another way to be conscious of your diet through the holidays is to control your alcohol consumption. Yes, we all love our Kahlua and Cream, but drinking just a few of them can ruin anyone's diet. Be realistic and know that even your beverages contain calories.

Lastly, be your own person. While it is true that many people will indulge in holiday food and drinks, that does not mean you have to follow. Set yourself apart and get started or stick with a great and effective fitness and nutrition program. The yo-yo dieting method is well known and the excuse to overindulge during the holidays only fuels more unhealthy and unrealistic expectations. In the long run, it hurts you more than helps.

Stay the course, stay strong, join a community of like minded people, join your gym's fitness challenge, work with a personal trainer, meet with a nutritionist or simply search the web for some great ways to stay thin though the holidays. You will be glad you made it through the holidays without feeling guilty and without gaining an extra 5 pounds of fat.

Copyright 2005 www.strength-training-woman.com

Puerto Rico is an island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, located east of the Dominican Republic. The island is almost rectangular in shape and is the smallest and most eastern island of the Greater Antilles. The island spans an area of 9,104 sq. km, slightly less than three times the size of Rhode Island. The island has a length of 180 km, stretching from Punta Puerca in the east to Punta Higuero in the west. The maximum width spans an area of 65 km from Isabella in the north to Punta Colon in the south. The length of the coastline is 501 km, which is the reason for Puerto Rico being a key -shipping lane to the Panama Canal. In addition to the principal island, the Commonwealth includes Vieques, Culebra, Culebrita, Palomino (also known as the Spanish Virgin Islands), Mona, Monito and various others isolated islands.

To the west of the island lie Haiti and the Dominican Republic, which are separated from the island by the Mona Passage or Mona Canal. To the east lie the Virgin Islands. The north is flanked by the Atlantic Ocean while the Caribbean Sea is to the south.

Puerto Rico has a predominantly mountainous terrain. The coastal plains are spread across the north of the island. Sandy beaches cover the coastal areas. Cerro de Punta is the highest point at a height of 1,338m. San Juan is one of the biggest natural harbors.

Puerto Rico's numerous small rivers and high central mountains ensure that the land is well watered. The south coast is relatively dry and the north consists of a fertile coastal belt.

Puerto Rico is close to the deepest submarine depression in the North Atlantic Ocean. The Puerto Rico Trench is about 1,750 km long and 100 km wide. The trench was formed by a series of faults in the north Caribbean and is partially filled with sediments. The trench is parallel to the northern coast of the island of Puerto Rico, lying about 120 km to the north. The deepest point in the Atlantic Ocean, the Milwaukee Depth, lies within the Puerto Rico Trench, at a depth of 8,380 meters, 160 km northwest of Puerto Rico.

Gauteng is the smallest province in South Africa, is also its industrial, financial and commercial hub and a gateway to southern Africa. It was here where the cradle of humankind is found, where gold was discovered, apartheid fell, the new constitution was written and Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as President. A hefty history for any place, but in Gauteng anything is possible.

A sense of excitement prevails in this technologically advanced, culturally diverse, vibrantly artistic destination which beckons the visitor with a multitude of opportunities to discover and experience its precious life spirit.

CLIMATE:

Situated at an average altitude of 1500 m above sea level, Gauteng falls in a summer rainfall area with afternoon thunderstorms an occurrence. Daily temperatures range from an average midsummer maximum of 26 degrees Celsius to an average winter maximum of 16 degrees Celsius.

SHOPPING:

Excellent shopping facilities ranging from exclusive, luxury or trendy items at modern malls to art and craft bargains at 'flea markets' and roadside stalls. Visit Sandton City, Rosebank (Mall, The Zone, galleries, Rooftop Market on Sundays), Menlyn Park Shopping Centre, Oriental Plaza, Market Square Precint (on weekend), Jewel City (for diamonds directly from the cutters) and Michael Mount Organic Market. Special purchases include designer wear and fashion items; jewellery (especially gold and diamonds); decor items and traditional African masks, craft items e.g. bead work and sculpture.

TOP TEN ATTRACTIONS DESCRIPTION:

Sterkfontein Caves:

World Heritage Site, known as the Cradle of Humankind, where our human ancestors walked over 4 million years ago. It is the richest site in the world for fossils of 'Australopithecus' (a lineage of hominid).

Soweto:

South Africa's most famous township and the centre of the Freedom Struggle during the Apartheid years. Visit Nelson Mandela's old home, Freedom Square, the Hector Peterson Memorial and other Struggle sites. Johannesburg:

'The City of Gold' is a vibrant, eclectic city with a pulsating heartbeat. The economic powerhouse of the country, 'Joburg' or 'Jozi' offers not only business opportunities, but history, culture, shopping and entertainment. Visit Sandton, Rosebank, MonteCasino, MuseumAfrica, Newtown Cultural Precinct, Johannesburg Art Gallery and Melville Koppies.

Magaliesburg:

Small village at heart of beautiful region of mountains, valleys, rivers and indigenous woodland; enjoy fly-fishing and visit the country guest houses, lodges, art & craft studios, various trails (hiking, horse, mountain bike), Magalies Express Train and historical war sites.

Gold Reef City & Apartheid Museum:

Great fun is to be had at this family-friendly amusement park with countless breath-taking rides, built on an authentic Victorian Gold Mine site. Adjacent to Gold Reef City is the Apartheid Museum with its haunting exhibitions portraying South Africa's turbulent history..

Lesedi Cultural Village:

An amazing experience of tribal dancing and traditional African villages showcasing the cultures and crafts of the Zulu, Ndebele, Sotho, Pedi and Xhosa tribes.

Pretoria:

Seat of South Africa's administration and foreign missions, Pretoria is a stately city that bursts into a profusion of purple Jacaranda blossoms in October. Don't miss the Union Buildings; the National Zoological Gardens, Aquarium and Reptile Park; the National Botanical Gardens; Church Square; Melrose House; Pretoria Art Museum and the Voortrekker Monument.

Hartebeespoort:

Against the backdrop of the Magaliesberg Ridge, the town and dam of Hartebeespoort offer the visitor water-based leisure options, an aquarium, snake park, roadside stalls, game drives and a cableway. This region is the last sanctuary of the Cape vulture.

Cullinan:

The world's largest diamond was discovered in Cullinan in 1905 worth 3106 carats; visitors can go on a Cullinan Diamond Mine tour and purchase diamonds at the Cullinan Diamond Market; the town also has many turn-of-the-century houses.

Tswaing Crater Site:

where a massive meteorite hit earth more than 220 000 years ago, leaving a crater of about 1,13km wide and 200m deep. This area boasts 320 bird species and 420 species of flora.

Taking a highway trip can be fun and driving down the Pacific Coast Highway is no exception. This drive is one the most scenic anywhere in the world as it winds along the Pacific Ocean with bluffs overlooking the water.

At the southern end of the highway lies the little town of La Jolla, just outside of San Diego. A well traveled and famous tourist attraction, La Jolla is set atop scenic bluffs overlooking the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean and draws millions of visitors to stay and play every year.

The town has a small town presence and that coupled with the expansive views of the ocean and its easily accessible coast make it an in demand tourist attraction. There are three main sections of La Jolla to consider for the tourist wanting to see what the town has to offer, which are the beach to the west, the shopping areas, and the dining establishments.

This area of Southern California boasts some of the most beautiful coastline in the entire United States offering beach lovers and sun worshippers an opportunity to enjoys some of the most pristine beaches in the entire state if not the country. If you are looking for a place to just relax and lay out in the sun you would probably have to go to Hawaii to find beaches with as much peace and seclusion. From the quiet beach off of Marine Street to the long white sandy beaches of La Jolla Shores there are times that you may be able to find a spot where you are the only one there.

The restaurants in town are some of the best in the world with some of the best chefs in the United States and a training ground for up and coming chefs. The climate of the area makes for a growing season that is year round so the cooks always have access to fresh produce and herbs to help them create world class meals that you will not soon forget. The village is also home to some of the finest shopping available anywhere in the world with something for everyone. There are shops spread about all over the town.

It doesn't matter what you have on your travel agenda, whether you are looking for fine dining, shopping, or just relaxing on the beach you will find La Jolla to be the spot for you. The best season of the year to come is in the summer when you can most enjoy the beaches. Take a trip a little off the beaten path to the gem of the Pacific Coast.

Levkas is a popular, lively and windy island. It is the only island linked to mainland Greece, a swing bridge providing access by road. The airport at Preveza is only a 30 minute ride away. Lefkas Town lies a short distance down the canal, at the point where the canal turns to run SE. The buildings of the town are easily seen and the harbour is not difficult to locate. There is a marina here or you can use the town's harbour. Both provide good shelter in all weather conditions .The Lefkas canal enables sailors to pass along the east side of the island, which has most of the anchorages. The northern entrance can be found by locating the Santa Mauro Fort. The canal proper starts after Lefkas Town and is marked by red and green poles and by red and green buoys when the canal turns south.

Nidri is lively, the quay self provides water, fuel etc. but places you in the middle of yacht charter bases, tripper boats, ferries etc. A little further south he landlocked Vlikho Bay provides good all-round shelter the bottom is mud

On the southern end lies the sheltered bay of Sivota with several waterside bars and tavernas. On the southwest coast, Vasiliki has quayside bars, cafes and non-stop nightlife. Vassiliki was a sleepy little fishing village. It is now one of the islands main resorts The port is located in the south-east of the large bay. It offers good shelter although the prevailing wind tends to blow into the harbour making conditions uncomfortable at times. The bottom holds well. There are no anchorages on the west coast but you will find beautiful beaches where you can watch stunning sunsets.

Also worth a visit while on Levkas: The ancient city Nirikos was the first capital of the island from 2BC. Excavations have shown that Nirikos enjoyed significant economic growth. The collection in the Archaeological Museum of Levkas includes findings dating from the Proto-Hellenic period to the Roman era, including ceramics, pots, statues, signs, ecclesiastic pieces and photographs from the excavations in Nidri. Lefkata Cape is situated at the southern part of Lefkas and offers a majestic view. Originally, sacrifices to the gods and spirits took place here. Convicts were forced to jump from the rocks and attempt to fly using feathers tied around their bodies. The monastery of Panayia Faneromeni is the most significant religious monument on the island. It is situated 2 km east of the capital outside the village of Frynio and stands on the site of an ancient sanctuary for Artemis or Hera.

Meganissi has the magnificent inlet at Port Athene on the north coast. This is the perfect place for snorkelling and swimming and makes a good overnight stop. Vathi is the islands main port. It is a pleasant relaxed place with good walks through the olive groves to the bays on the east. The high village of Spartohori on can easily be seen from the north and west. Once you are in the bay the small harbour will be seen. Good shelter but the depth often exceeds 15m. The anchorage near the tavern is the best location in the bay. The village of Spartahori is an absolute must, walk up the hill for a warm local welcome and an incredible view out over Nidri, Madhouri and Skorpios and over to the mountains on the mainland to the east. The island has a number of picturesque bays where you can anchor and take a line ashore. Facilities are at best limited and usually non existent

Ithaca - Steeped in legend of Odysseus the island has beautiful bays and attractive anchorages. The island is essentially two heavily wooded mountain tops rich in flora and fauna, which protrude steeply from the Ionian sea, joined in the centre of the island by a thin stretch of land. It offers gentle green uplands in the south and rugged limestone hills in the north. Frikes is a small harbour and village in the north east of Ithaca set in the bay that it takes it's name from. A lovely place at the bottom of a steep wooded valley. There are several old windmills standing on the rocks above the village. Kioni lies just to the south of Frikes. The village is stunning with buildings dotted around the steep slopes of the bay. The bottom is mud and weed and care must be taken to get the anchor holding. Shelter is generally good but there are often gusts from the north west. There are shops in the village and tavernas on the waterfront.

Further to the south is Vathi, the island's capital and main harbour. It's red-roofed houses set among enchanting scenery at the end of the closed bay of Molosmeans Vathi means deep and that's what you will find. The bottom is a combination of mud and weed and care is needed to make sure the anchor is holding. There are plenty of shops and tavernas in the town. Three kilometres to the northwest lies the Cave of the Nymphs where, according to legend, Odysseus hid the gifts bestowed upon him by the Phaeacians who delivered him to his home after his many adventures. The bay of Polis on the west coast, near the village of Stavros, is the site of Loizos' cave. A couple of interesting finds have been made here: Shards on which were carved inscriptions testifying to the worship of Artemis, Hera and Athena and twelve tripods similar to those which the Phaeacians gave to Odysseus.

Cephalonia is the largest of the Ionian islands covering some 700 sq. km. It is renowned for its wine and more latterly for the novel Captain Corellixs Mandolin by Louis de Bernieres. For the walker there are acres of forest covered limestone mountains to explore. 10 peaks rise above 5000 feet. The limestone rock results in remarkable caves and caverns as can be seen at the underground lake complex at Mellisani. Most of the mountains fall steeply to the sea and the you will be sailing at the foot of these peaks, in places this means the boat will be subjected to strong gusts of wind so care is needed.

Fiskardo is an enclosed bay and harbour on the north eastern tip of Cephalonia. It is an extremely popular stop for yachts and in the summer months the quay is normally packed. If there is no room anchor in the north of the bay and take a line ashore. The harbour provides good all round shelter. The village is picturesque and was one of the few places on the island that escaped the terrific destruction of the 1953 earthquake. Hence 19th century houses set amid green pine groves remain pretty much original and a historical preservation order should keep them that way. There are a number of shops in the village as to there are tavernas some serving excellent food. There are several anchorages on the coast between Fiskardo and Ay Eufimia to the south. Ay Eufimia is a small harbour in the north west corner of a large bay. Most provisions can be found and there are a few tavernas. Sami to the south of the same bay is the island's main ferry port. It was developed after the earthquake and is nearly all modern buildings. There are good walks along the coast to the north east of the harbour. Still further to the south is the small harbour of Poros. This is not the most comfortable harbour in the Ionian with the prevailing winds creating a chop in the harbour. It is uncomfortable rather than unsafe. Most provisions are available in the village. There are several tavernas with a good one by the harbour.

The capital of the island is Argostoli the SW. The earthquake in 1953 bought almost total devastation, all that remained intact were a couple of houses, the arched bridge stretching across the lagoon and the obelisk at it's centre. Sadly the rebuilding has produced a rather soulless place. There are plenty of shops and tavernas in the town.

Lixuri is a town with a small harbour opposite Argostoli on the western side of Kolpos Argostoliou. Unfortunately the harbour is situated next to the main sewer outlet and is extremely smelly during the summer months. Assos, on the western side of the island, should be used only in calms or when the wind is light from the west. There are numerous tavernas in the village and limited provisions can be found. The village is particularly picturesque set under the high cliffs and mountains and just across the peninsula from the ruined Venetian fort.

Zakinthos is the southernmost of the islands in the Ionian. A horseshoe shaped mountain range surrounds a rich fertile plain. Half of the island's cultivated land is given over to the currant vine which was originally transplanted from the Peloponnese by the Venetians.

In the north east of the islands lies Ormos Ay Nikolaos. You can anchor in the bay in about 5m depths or go stern to the outside of the breakwater and take a long line ashore. Strong gusts can be expected in the afternoon and most yachts leave after lunchtime and head south to the capital. A visit to the Blue Caves is a favourite in this part of the island. Join one of the local caiques as visit with a yacht is not advisable as the area is unprotected from north westerlies and the waters to deep to anchor in. The underwater rocks are covered by a mauve coloured seaweed. The seaweed together with the white sandy bottom of the caves reflect the incoming sunlight producing a blue hue.

To the south lies Limin Zakinthos, he capital of Zakinthos and most of the island's 35,000 population live here. The town surrounds a large harbour. It was devastated by the earthquake in 1953 but an attempt has been made to rebuild in the original style. When inside the harbour care is needed of the semi-sunk stone breakwater which protrudes from the north mole. Yachts should make for the designated yacht quay within the harbour. There are several museums in the town devoted to the islands history.

Porto Roma lies in the south east corner of the island. This is a wonderful anchorage in calm weather. There is a taverna on the beach.

The southern coast and beaches are host to the last and most important concentration of Loggerhead turtles' nesting sites in the Mediterranean. From May to November this area is subject to restriction regarding access by vessels. It is advisable to check with the authorities in the capital what restrictions are currently in place if you are planning to sail in this area. Ormos Keri lies at the western end of the restricted area. Anchor either side of the stone mole and take a long line ashore. Be aware of the underwater ballasting protruding out from the mole. Ormos Vroma is the only anchorage on the western side of the island. Anchor on the northern side and take a line ashore.

Earning frequent flyer miles takes work and time, and you have been willing to put in that effort and the time necessary to store up a wealth of miles. Although, there are times when miles expire and are no longer available to you, leaving you with no rewards at all. These programs are offered by multiple airlines, and are propelled by trying to gain customer loyalty. In reality, would you really choose to buy an airline ticket from one company at the same price as your company and not get the air miles for it? Or, does it not matter if you might lose those miles? It is important to investigate this before choosing a frequent flyer program to join.

Expiration

It is a fact. It is true. It is inevitable. Some airlines do have policies that call for expiration of miles after a certain period of time. Of course, this is an important factor to airlines because they want to provide some incredible incentives and rewards that people will want to use their air miles before they expire. Although it can save people a lot of money, many people don't take advantage of their air miles, which also has a huge role in the reason they have expiration dates. It is very easy to find out if your frequent flyer miles have an expiration date. All it takes is some reading of the fine print in your program information, and it should be extremely clearly expressed.

Business Going Bust

These days there are many different airlines that are going out of business and claiming bankruptcy. After the September 11th attacks on the United States this became the reality for many airline companies. At this point, many people that are involved in these frequent flyer programs would be concerned that they may lose all of their earned miles, but this is the case no matter what. There are clauses in all frequent flyer programs that allow airlines to discontinue the honoring of air miles at any time they choose, although many do not unless facing bankruptcy. There is a good side to all of this havoc; if a company is going bankrupt it usually means that the company is going to be purchased by an existing airline. Typically, the purchasing airline will work out an agreement to honor your air miles, some if not all. Although, if a company does need to liquidate that will ensure a loss of frequent flyer miles across the company.

Frequent flyer miles are offered to keep a customer loyal to an airline. Airline companies rarely refuse to honor earned air miles, and as long as you are staying loyal these companies should not be facing bankruptcy. But remember, most people do not take advantage of their miles, thus there is a very low liability in relation to these programs.