Carefreetrip.com :: Travel Blog

The Space Needle
Seattle Center, 400 Broad St.; 206.905.2100;
www.spaceneedle.com
A 41-second elevator ride takes you up 520 feet to the observation deck of the Space Needle, built for the 1962 World’s Fair. Enjoy a meal at SkyCity, the restaurant at the top that revolves 360° while you dine.

Pike Place Market
Between First Ave. and Western, from Pike to Virginia streets www.pikeplacemarket.org
Born in 1907, Seattle’s Pike Place Market is the granddaddy of farmers’ markets. Today, it’s a major tourist attraction with 200 businesses operating year-round, 190 craftspeople and 120 farmer booths - plus street performers and musicians. Flowers by the bucketful, flying fish, fresh pastries and fruit, handmade cheeses, local honey, wine, an assortment of restaurants, import goods, antiques, collectibles and lots of surprises are around every corner.

Ferries
www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries
Traveling by ferry is a state of mind as much as a means of transportation to some of the Puget Sound’s most historic and scenic sites. Views of the Olympic and Cascade mountains, the Seattle cityscape and the green shorelines will draw you out onto the deck to feel the salt breeze on your face. The state ferry system takes passengers and their vehicles from Seattle and nearby departure points to Vashon Island, the Kitsap Peninsula, the San Juan Islands and Canada. For privately operated ferries, see the Sightseeing & Tours (page 35) and Visitors Services/Travel & Transportation (page 120) listings in this guide.

Seattle Aquarium
Pier 59
206.386.4300
www.seattleaquarium.org
Meet Alki, the sea otter pup born at the Aquarium. Walk under the water in a glass dome as bluntnose sixgill sharks and other Elliott Bay creatures swim all around you. Touch a sea anemone. Learn about the lives of salmon at the world’s first aquarium-based salmon ladder. Marvel at the impossibly bright-colored coral reef fish. And don’t forget to wave to the giant Pacific octopus.

The Seattle Waterfront
Piers 52 to 70 on Alaskan Way
ci.seattle.wa.us/tour/water.htm
A bustling collection of Attractions, restaurants and Shopping, as well as starting points for ferries, cruise ships, the Victoria Clipper and Argosy boat tours are located here. Feed the seagulls at the statue of Ivar Haglund in front of Ivar’s Acres of Clams, stroll by the fountains on the wooden piers of Waterfront Park, admire the view or Shop for souvenirs.

Woodland Park Zoo
South Gate: 750 N. 50th St
206.684.4800
www.zoo.org
See more than 1,000 animals of 300 different species, from elephants and gorillas to piranhas and penguins, in naturalistic exhibits at the Woodland Park Zoo. Drop by at scheduled feeding times and talk with the people who care for the animals.

Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour
608 First Ave.
206.682.4646
www.undergroundtour.com
After the Great Seattle Fire of 1889, the city was rebuilt over the top of the ruins. This guided tour takes visitors through the hidden subterranean passages that once were the main roadways and storefronts of old downtown Seattle and tells stories of the frontier people who lived and worked there.

The Seattle Public Library
1000 Fourth Ave.
206.386.4636
www.spl.org
Designed by world-renowned Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, the award-winning glass and steel structure of the new Central Library makes the building seem a little off-kilter and translucent - allowing passersby on the street to look in.

Tillicum Village
Blake Island
206.933.8600
www.tillicumvillage.com
A short, narrated cruise takes you to an island village, where you’ll feast on salmon cooked in the authentic Native American way. A stage show of traditional dances and stories entertains and teaches you about the people who lived in the Northwest first.

Ride the Ducks of Seattle
516 Broad St, Seattle
206.441.DUCK (3825)
www.ridetheducksofseattle.com
Tour Seattle by land and water on a WWII amphibious landing craft. This 90-minute adventure tour will have you “quacking up” through the streets of Seattle. You’ll see the major sights of the Emerald City on land before you head out to the funky Fremont neighborhood where you’ll splash into Lake Union.

The Eurostar operating between London and Paris/Brussels is now a firm favorite with European Rail travelers taking passengers at speeds of up to 300km/186mph. The travel time between London and the continent has been continually reduced over recent years and now takes just 2 hours to Brussels and 2 hours 15 minutes to Paris since the launch of Britain’s high speed network and the move to London St Pancras in November 2007. A wide range of fares and schedules are available at discounted rates to European rail pass holders, so that you can tailor your ticket to your specific needs.

• The Eurostar service runs 17 daily services to Paris and 10 to Brussels
• Tickets can be booked up to 120 days in advance of travel
• You are normally required to check in at least 20 minutes prior to the Eurostar train’s departure.
• Less well known is that the Eurostar trains also serve Kent via the established Ashford International station and now the new Ebbsfleet International station, Calais-Frethun, Lille-Europe and Disneyland Paris, with additional services to the Alpine towns of Moutiers and Bourg St. Maurice in the ski season.
• The Eurostar offers passengers three different service standards: Premium First (London-Paris only, with a special carriage and superior service); first class (this includes complimentary food and drinks during your journey); and standard class.

The fares you are quoted will also include the price of the mandatory reservation you will need. A full buffet service and licensed bar operates on each train and all stations served by the route offer comprehensive catering and other facilities.

It was the ever-increasing traffic through London’s airports and associated problems of air and noise pollution which plagued the city, which was a driving force behind the introduction of the Eurostar service. Though troubled by initial teething problems, the Eurostar service is clearly coming into its own offering a highly efficient alternative to the environmentally damaging route by air, to the very heart of Europe. The service currently commands over 70% of the London to Paris route and 65% of the London to Brussels route.

As if there weren’t enough shops, museums, and historic landmarks to fill your time in London, you’re in reasonable proximity to a host of daytrip adventures that will entertain, educate and mystify you. Here’s a sampling to get started.

STRATFORD UPON AVON

It’s not just because my last name is Hamlett or that I write stage plays for a living but my first pick is a visit to the home of one of England’s most prolific authors: William Shakespeare. The English are particularly proud of this quaint 16th century township and its well tended gardens and meandering walks. It’s here in the Midlands that you will not only find the Bard’s birthplace but also the cottages of Anne Hathaway, his wife, Mary Arden, Shakespeare’s mum, and Susan, Shakespeare’s oldest daughter. The extensive exhibits–including writings, art, furniture, household items and vintage farming tools offer an insightful peek at the surroundings of a man whose works are still performed on stages throughout the world. If you’re a shutterbug, take plenty of film for the gardens alone! “Everything Shakespeare” could easily be the motto of every bookstore, museum and gift Shop in the region. Be on the lookout for costumed actors in your midst as well. Stratford is home to the Royal Shakespeare Company and three theaters—The Swan, The Royal, and The Other Place. Today—just as during Shakespeare’s time—the actors are required to learn multiple roles for different plays performed throughout the same day.

BATH

Even the ancient Romans knew a good destination resort when they found one. The natural hot springs in the region known as Bath was the perfect leisure prescription after months of plundering and pillaging. They also erected a number of statues of themselves which look down on an Olympic size swimming pool in the main courtyard. You probably wouldn’t want to take a dip in it now, of course. In addition to the strong aroma of sulfur that permeates the entire facility, the water in the pool is a dark “slime green.” Yech. The most mystical part of the ruins at Bath is the equivalent of a large contemporary hot tub. Legend has it that whatsoever you wish for when you throw in a coin will come true. The catch, however, is that you need to wish wisely and leave no room for ambiguity. I, for one, can personally attest to the pool’s power. The first time I was ever there in 1992, I wished for a knight with shining armor to come into my life after my return to the U.S. My first day back at work, the first stranger to walk in the door is the man who became my husband. The amazing part? He also had a full size suit of armor in the foyer of his office.

The city of Bath is excellent for Shopping and affordable eateries that range from funky little hole in the wall pubs to full service restaurants. The Medieval landmark that dominates the central square, however, is Bath Abbey. Although this historic church recently observed its 500th birthday, it wasn’t the first place of worship to occupy this spot. Back in 757, it was an Anglo-Saxon abbey. When the Norman conquerors came through the area in 1066, the first thing they did was tear the whole thing down and start building one of their own. Unfortunately, their budget couldn’t sustain their lofty dreams and the project fell into disrepair by the end of the 1400’s. The current abbey no sooner got underway when along came Henry VIII who decided all monasteries should be abolished in order to make way for his own Church of England. The present abbey is now a local parish which holds regular and special services. If you’re the tiniest bit claustrophobic, you may not want to spend too much time in its cloying chambers. Couple this with the fact that you are walking over the grave markers of those buried beneath its floorboards and it can be downright spooky, Try to delay your departure until sundown; locals call Bath Abbey “The Lantern” and for good reason. It really is a beautiful sight in the evening hours.

STONEHENGE

In the middle of the windswept Salisbury Plain is a ring of massive stones that has baffled mankind for thousands of years. Was it built to be a place of pagan sacrifice? A memorial to the dead? A primitive type of calendar for tracking the sun and the stars? A whimsical bit of showmanship by King Arthur’s sorcerer, the enigmatic Merlin?

As if its true purpose were not enough for generations to ponder, there’s the entire issue of how these monoliths got to Salisbury Plain to begin with. Weighing in between 5 and 45 tons each, they are made of bluestone, a rock that is not indigenous to the area. In fact, the nearest source of bluestone is in the interior of South Wales, a distance that would have required them to be transported to the water, transported across the water to England, then transported inland. When you consider that this was all accomplished with manual labor, it takes on the proportions of mind-boggling mystique akin to the Pyramids. You’ll also notice that some of the stones are lying across the tops of others. While scientists and engineers have come to credit this feat to basic tongue and groove joint architecture, they still can’t account for how the stones were lifted so high into place and have remained there throughout the millennia.

OLD SARUM AND SALISBURY

Once upon a time—5000 years to be exact—two Iron Age banks marked the entrance to what would become the ancient city of Old Sarum. Taking advantage of this natural fortress provided by Mother Nature, the Romans, Saxons and Normans respectively used it as a stronghold. The Normans, in fact, decided to make their mark with a massive castle and a cathedral during the 12th century. Unfortunately, the ongoing friction between church and state during those violent times compelled the Bishop to order the construction of a new cathedral a few miles down the road. When the rest of the community pulled up stakes to follow, the new town of Salisbury was born. Very little remains of Old Sarum’s original structures but it’s still an intriguing venue to visit for its historical significance. Meanwhile, over in Salisbury, the star attraction is its cathedral. Boasting the tallest spire in England (404 feet), Salisbury Cathedral was largely a start-to-finish project completed by one generation of builders. You would also think that a building that tall would require some heavy-duty infrastructure extending far below the earth’s surface. Instead, the entire cathedral rests on a foundation of only six feet. Combine this with the fact that the ground is always wet from the volume of English rainfall and it’s nothing less than a miracle that it has neither sunk nor toppled over. While you’re there, pay a visit to the cathedral’s library and gaze upon the original of the Magna Carta. As you may recall from grade school, this document symbolized the supremacy of English law over the king and was signed under duress at Runnymede by King John, brother of Richard the Lionheart. Outside the cathedral, spend some time enjoying the charm of The Close, a walled-in cluster of period architecture, shops and restaurants.

WINDOR CASTLE

Windsor Castle, situated above the Thames, has to have been the inspirational setting for every children’s fairy tale. The building of it as a fortress was commenced by no less than William the Conqueror a thousand years ago. With the exception of a brief period during the 17th century when it was appropriated as a prison by the Parliamentarians, it has been in continuous use as one of three official homes of the British monarchy. (When you’re there, look for the flag that announces whether the Queen and her family are in residence.) Just like American tours of the White House, the visiting public isn’t allowed into the royal household’s private quarters. What is offered, however, is a resplendent glimpse of the consecutive reigns of a country that once dominated a fourth of the planet. Of particular note is St. George’s Chapel which took over half a century to complete. The Most Noble Order of the Garter–England’s highest rank of chivalry–is well in evidence here. This is also the final resting place of past monarchs, including the oft-married Henry VIII. It was Henry’s wish to be buried on top of his third and favorite wife, Jane Seymour, the only one of his brides to bear him a son. Henry’s enormous girth at the time of his death, however, proved problematic. So heavy was his casket that it was said to have cracked the more delicate coffin of Jane when it was lowered into place. The tomb had to be hastily reinforced so that the two could lay with one another for all eternity. Henry’s surviving 6th wife, Catherine Parr, was not amused.

The other major attraction at Windsor is Queen Mary’s Dollhouse, which debuted in 1924 courtesy of its designer, Sir Edwin Lutyen. The astonishing detail will probably impress adults even more than children. For one thing, everything that is electrical or involves plumbing actually works. Artisans of the era were commissioned to handcraft the furnishings, rugs, and all of the china, silver and crystal house wares. Miniature, hand-signed volumes of the works of James Barrie, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and others line the dwelling’s bookshelves. The oil paintings are originals, too. And if you and your pals from Lilliput find yourselves thirsty, all of those tiny wine bottles contain real wine!

After your tour of the castle, the village of Windsor in the valley below is a further delight to explore and enjoy a leisurely lunch.

Whether you’re an airport renter or a home-city renter, we’ve got a list of tips designed to help make your car-rental experience as pain-free as possible for your bank account.

1. Surf the Net. As is the case with many purchases, you’ll usually find the best rates on the Internet. Shop around. Buying online will afford you the Luxury of seeing what rates look like on any vehicle your heart desires, without the inconvenience of having a salesperson breathing down your neck. Also, many companies offer special discounts to people who rent online. Rates will obviously vary from company to company, depending on vehicle availability, location and other factors. But rates aren’t the only variable to consider. Consider hours of operation, for example; some companies may close earlier on weekends. Depending on your schedule, this might be a crucial issue for you.
2. Go weekend. Rates are typically cheaper on weekends. At one company we surveyed, you could rent a subcompact on a weekday for $64.99. When we opted for a weekend rental, the figure plummeted to a far more reasonable $22.99. If you’ve got some flexibility with your rental arrangements, opt for weekend rental. Your pocketbook will be eternally grateful.
3. Weekly does it. Weekend rates are great, but weekly rates are usually the best of all. At one company we surveyed, a subcompact went for a weekday rate of $56.99. That same car could be rented on a weekly basis for just $252.99, a savings of more than 30 percent if you used the vehicle for all seven days, and more than 10 percent if you returned it after five days. If you plan on using the vehicle for five days or more, choose the weekly rate.
4. Think twice about insurance. When renting a car, you’ll be offered a collision damage waiver (CDW) and a loss damage waiver (LDW). The first covers you in the event of a collision, while the second covers any loss to the rental company. Both kinds of coverage are a good idea, but not if they duplicate coverage already included in your own insurance policy. Most insurance policies offer liability coverage to protect you if you injure someone in an accident; some also cover rental-car damage via comprehensive and collision coverage. Check your policy or call your insurance agent to verify coverage before signing up for a vehicle. If you’re renting the car with a credit card, your card provider may pay for vehicle damages associated with an accident. Check with your card company ahead of time to make sure.There’s one caveat. The collision damage waiver covers “loss of use,” the charge levied by the rental car company to cover its lost income when the vehicle is out of service. In most states, auto insurance policies don’t cover this loss, so if you have an accident, you may wind up having to pay this charge out of your own pocket. The states in which loss of use is covered in car insurance policies are: Alaska, Connecticut, Louisiana, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island and Texas. Unless you live in one of these states, the waiver may be a good idea.
5. Book early. It’s not just a cliché; the early bird really does get the worm, and he usually gets it much cheaper than everyone else. Rates depend on how many vehicles the company has on the lot at the time the rental is made, so sooner is better. Reserve your car at least a week in advance.
6. Think twice about prepaid gas. Typically, renters have two choices when it comes to fuel: You can pay for a full tank of gas in advance and bring the vehicle back empty (or less than full), or you can opt to refuel it yourself just before returning it. Rental car companies suggest that paying in advance will add convenience and that the low rates offered will save you money. Well, they’re right on the first part but wrong on the second. Paying in advance is an added convenience; if you want to save yourself the hassle of a trip to the gas station or avoid a last-minute rush when you’re trying to make a plane, pay away. But unless you plan on using the entire tank of gas, prepaying will cause you to pay for more fuel than you’ve actually consumed. From a financial standpoint, prepaying is a bad idea unless you’re absolutely certain that you’ll use the full tank.
7. Be careful of upgrades to larger vehicles. Sometimes, rental car companies will offer free upgrades to larger vehicles. They do this mainly because compacts tend to be in high demand. This sort of upgrade may seem like a great deal for you, the renter. If having a larger vehicle will genuinely enhance your rental experience, then take the upgrade. But if you have no real need for the extra space, it’s cheaper to decline. Larger vehicles burn more gas, so that “free” upgrade isn’t really free — you’ll wind up paying for it at the pump.
8. Steer clear of airport pickups. Picking up a rental car at the airport can be more expensive due to taxes and fees. Try looking at nearby neighborhood locations to save money. A recent Travelocity study showed that renting at an airport costs more than 11.5 percent more on average than renting at a neighborhood location. Texas airports were the chief offenders, but airports in states like Arizona, Ohio, Maryland, Missouri and New Mexico also cost renters more in taxes and fees.
9. Got kids? Seat ‘em yourself. If you’re traveling with a little one, you can save yourself some coin by bringing your own child safety seat. One rental company we surveyed charged almost $10 per day for child safety seat rental. Obviously, this can tack a significant amount onto your car rental expenses, so if you’re able to, bring your own child safety seat. If you’re renting a minivan, though, know that some rental minivans include integrated child safety seats at no extra cost.
10. Join the club. Many of the larger companies offer club membership in which members pay a yearly fee in exchange for certain perks and privileges. These clubs can save you money with benefits like free rental days and airline miles, but you’ll likely only see savings if you’re a frequent renter. If you fall into this category and use rental vehicles more than occasionally, go clubbing.

Sometimes when I get ready for a trip, I aways feel like I am forgetting something. Usually I miss something that I end up buying and it costs me an arm an a leg. Here is a “getting started” packing list to help you not forget - and not get taken on your next trip.

Packing List

Money, documents

• credit and debit cards
• picture id
• passport or other id if needed. (If kids are leaving the country with only one birth parent, a document authorizing their travel might be needed.
• health insurance documents
• travel insurance documents
• vaccination documents, if needed
• membership cards: AAA; Disney Club; etc.
• airplane Tickets or confirmation number
• car reservation number
• Coupons for hotels, car rental, etc.
• directions to hotel(s)
• itinerary
• address book

For planes and cars

• stuff to amuse the kids
• snacks and drinks
• any medication that might be needed
• tweezers
• ear plugs
• foot powder
• lip balm
• ear plugs
• sleep aids
• bandaids
• moleskin for blisters, elastic tape, scissors
• children’s medicine for fever, colds, etc.
• allergy kit, if needed
• feminine hygiene products
• prescription medicines
• birth control
• vitamins

Beachgear

• swimsuits (two per person)
• sandals
• aqua shoes
• goggles, face masks, snorkels
• waterproof disposable camera
• hats
• sunglasses
• lip balm with sunscreen

Outdoors gear

• insect repellant
• afterbite, for insect bites
• good shoes for hiking
• layers of clothes, especially fleece
• socks that will “wick” (draw moisture away from the skin)
• blister kit: i.e. moleskin, elastic tape, scissors, bandaids
• wool hat and gloves if the weather is chilly
• rain gear

Theme park gear

• blister kit
• good footwear. Some people recommend socks and sneakers, but in hot Orlando we wear sandals, period.
• hats, sunscreens, lip balm
• bandana, to soak with water for a cool-down
• frozen juice packs, if you have a fridge
• water bottle
• water spritzer/fan gadgets– usually available at Orlando Walmarts for $5; or buy the expensive theme park versions.
• umbrella or poncho, if thunderstorms are expected
• camera, film, camcorder, etc.
• lots of snacks

Baby Gear

• diapers, including lots for the plane trip in case you miss a connection
• diaper rash cream
• changing pad
• ziploc bag for soiled clothes
• baby wipes
• receiving blankets (lightweight and soft)
• waterproof sheet
• car seat
• stroller
• backpack
• front-style baby carriers
• lots of clothes, even for the plane ride, and a change of clothes for yourself on the plane, just in case.
• formula, juice
• bottles, nipples, bottle caps
• sippy cup
• snacks
• pacifiers if needed
• bibs
• baby food, spoons, bowl with lid
• lots of amusements

technology

• cell phone (could work as a travel alarm too)
• cell phone charger
• digital camera - extra media
• camera and lots of film
• batteries for camera(s)
• digital recorder/camcorder, and batteries
• “personal radios”: two-way walkie-talkies

miscellaneous

• notebook/journal
• guidebooks– buy the best! It’s a small investment.
• maps
• binoculars
• flashlight
• batteries
• needle, thread
• nightlight
• travel alarm clock
• calculator for foreign currency
• ziploc bags that actually zip: for toiletries, crayons, wet swimsuits…
• plastic food containers: pack with snacks to eat on the plane; later, bring to restaurants for those occasions when your kids won’t eat their food (but will be hungry 15 minutes later…)
• cereal! Save money and, more important, TIME, by having breakfast in your room. Powdered milk can be used in a pinch. Bring plastic spoons.
• wet wipes
• special wet-wipes for removing stains from clothes.

As for clothes: “traveling light” is great advice; I just don’t find it applies to travel with kids. You’re already carrying so much stuff, why scrimp on clothes? I prefer to bring enough that I never have to waste time doing laundry. But the choice is yours!

Tips: very useful for boys are pants that become shorts when the bottom parts zips off

• bring lots of t-shirts including a few oldies that can be thrown away
• even in a hot climate, bring a jacket or sweater: air-conditioned restaurants can get cold.

Now you are ready for your next great adventure - relax!

Experience the natural beauty of the Florida woodlands that makes this majestic course one of America’s premier resort destinations. Both a pleasure to play and one of Disney’s toughest courses, this Joe Lee masterpiece features sparkling lakes and tropical sand, all in a gorgeous golf landscape populated with strategically placed palms. Played each year as part of the Children’s Miracle Network Classic presented by Wal-Mart, Disney’s Palm offers plenty of challenges for the novice and seasoned pro alike.

On this beautiful course, be prepared to see deer and other wildlife as you play in the early mornings. Also be sure to check the sand traps for alligators, our party saw two, who enjoy sunning themselves on the course. The 18th hole is rated the fourth-toughest hole on the PGA Tour. This course is rated one of “America’s Top 75 Resort Courses”.

Enhance your on-course experience with the latest GPS Technology. This state-of-the-art service offers realistic images of course fairways, greens and hazards that add a new dimension to the golf experience. Other GPS Technology features include detailed 3D views of each hole, precise yardage to different fairway and green locations, professional tips that aid course strategy, and the ability to monitor pace of play and communicate to course management.

We found the course to be in great shape! The greens were cut thin and the fairways were very well manicured. One suggestion, do not go after your golf ball if it goes into the “woods.” They’re not kidding when they say there is wildlife and some of it not so friendly. We enjoyed the water hazards as well as the fluffy white sand traps. I must say that I wanted to see a little more “Disney” in the course. The Mickey heads for the tees were nice, but I just wanted a little more fun. As a Disney World Guest, we were able to reserve a tee time 60 days in advance - great for us A-personality types. Day Guests can reserve tee times 30 days in advance. They also offer free taxi vouchers for all Walt Disney World Resort Guests.

Carefreetrip.com gives Walt Disney World’s Palm Course out of 5 suitcases.

Top 10 Airline Safety Tips from airsafe.com

Fly on Nonstop Routings
Most accidents occur during the takeoff, climb, descent, and landing phase of flight so flying nonstop would reduce exposure to these most accident prone phases of flight.

Choose Larger Aircraft
Currently, aircraft with more than 30 passenger seats were all designed and certified under the strictest regulations. Also, in the unlikely event of a serious accident, larger aircraft provide a better opportunity for passenger survival.

Pay Attention to the Preflight Briefing
Although the information seems repetitious, the locations of the closest emergency exits may be different depending on the aircraft that you fly on and seat you are in.

Keep the Overhead Storage Bin Free of Heavy Articles
Overhead storage bins may not be able to hold very heavy objects during turbulence, so if you or another passenger have trouble lifting an article into the bin, have it stored elsewhere.

Keep Your Seat Belt Fastened While You are Seated
Keeping the belt on when you are seated provides that extra protection you might need if the plane hits unexpected turbulence.

Listen to the Flight Attendants
The primary reason flight attendants are on an aircraft is for safety, so if one of them asks you to do something like fasten your seat belts, do it first and ask questions later.

Don’t Bring Any Hazardous Material
There are rather long lists of hazardous materials that are not allowed, but common sense should tell you that you shouldn’t bring gasoline, corrosives, poisonous gases, and other such items on the aircraft unless they were allowed by the airline and shipped in a proper container.
Details on dangerous baggage

Let the Flight Attendant Pour Your Hot Drinks
Flight attendants are trained to handle hot drinks like coffee or tea in a crowded aisle on a moving aircraft, so allow them to pour the drink and hand it too you.

Don’t Drink Too Much
The atmosphere in an airliner cabin is pressurized to about the same altitude as Denver, so any alcohol you consume will affect you more strongly than at sea level. Moderation is a good policy at any altitude.

Keep Your Wits About You
In the unlikely event that you are involved in an emergency situation such as a precautionary emergency evacuation, follow the directions of the flight attendants and flight crew and exit the aircraft as quickly as possible.

Travel smart, travel safe, travel informed!

With people planning their summer vacations, and trying to save money, here are some cheap tricks for your next road trip.

1. With the high cost of gas, this is the summer to explore the small towns, state parks and lesser-known Attractions that lie close to home. Most people can think of 10 places within a three hour drive where they have always wanted to go, but have never been. Stay close and save.
2. Maximize your fuel economy by heeding the speed limit. It takes 20 percent more gas to travel at 65 mph than at 55 mph and 75 percent more when driving 75 mph than 65 mph. Slow down and save.
3. Don’t forget to use discounts that you might already have, such as AAA. If you are going to multiple national parks, you could save significantly by purchasing an annual pass. Buy bulk and save.
4. If you are renting a car - Shop AROUND! Rental prices so much it will be well work your time. Shop around and save.
5. Skip eating out and picnic. The kids can run, stretch their legs and you save money. Picnic and save.
6. Leave early in the morning or late at night to avoid traffic jams and conserve gas. By the way, the kids will sleep making the ride a little easier on you. Leave early/late and save.

My name is Doug Copp. I am the Rescue Chief and Disaster Manager of the American Rescue Team International (ARTI), the world’s most experienced rescue team. The information in this article will save lives in an earthquake.

I have crawled inside 875 collapsed buildings, worked with rescue teams from 60 countries, founded rescue teams in several countries, and I am a member of many rescue teams from many countries. I was the United Nations expert in Disaster Mitigation for two years. I have worked at every major disaster in the world since 1985, except for simultaneous disasters.

In 1996 we made a film that proved my survival methodology to be correct.

The Turkish Federal Government, City of Istanbul, University of Istanbul Case Productions and ARTI cooperated to film this practical, scientific test. We collapsed a school and a home with 20 mannequins inside. Ten mannequins did “duck and cover,” and ten mannequins I used in my “triangle of life” survival method. After the simulated earthquake collapse we crawled through the rubble and entered the building to film and document the results. The film, in which I practiced my survival techniques under directly observable, scientific conditions, relevant to building collapse, showed there would have been zero percent survival for those doing duck and cover. There would likely have been 100 percent survivability for people using my method of the “triangle of life.” This film has been seen by millions of viewers on television in Turkey and the rest of Europe, and it was seen in the US , Canada and Latin America on the TV program Real TV.

The first building I ever crawled inside of was a school in Mexico City during the 1985 earthquake. Every child was under their desk. Every child was crushed to the thickness of their bones. They could have survived by lying down next to their desks in the aisles. It was obscene, unnecessary and I wondered why the children were not in the aisles. I didn’t at the
time know that the children were told to hide under something.

Simply stated, when buildings collapse, the weight of the ceilings falling upon the objects or furniture inside crushes these objects, leaving a space or void next to them. This space is what I call the “triangle of life”. The larger the object, the stronger, and the less it will compact.

The less the object compacts, the larger the void, the greater the probability that the person who is using this void for safety will not be injured. The next time you watch collapsed buildings on television, count the “triangles” you see formed. They are everywhere. It is the most common shape, you will see, in a collapsed building. They are everywhere.

TEN TIPS FOR EARTHQUAKE SAFETY

1. Most everyone who simply “ducks and covers” when buildings collapse are crushed to death. People who get under objects, like desks or cars, are crushed.
2. Cats, dogs and babies often naturally curl up in the fetal position. You should too in an earthquake. It is a natural safety/survival instinct. You can survive in a smaller void. Get next to an object, next to a sofa, next to a large bulky object that will compress slightly but leave a void next to it.
3. Wooden buildings are the safest type of construction to be in during an earthquake. Wood is flexible and moves with the force of the earthquake. If the wooden building does collapse, large survival voids are created. Also, the wooden building has less concentrated, crushing weight. Brick buildings will break into individual bricks. Bricks will cause many injuries but less squashed bodies than concrete slabs.
4. If you are in bed during the night and an earthquake occurs, simply roll off the bed. A safe void will exist around the bed. Hotels can achieve a much greater survival rate in earthquakes, simply by posting a sign on the back of the door of every room telling occupants to lie down on the floor, next to the bottom of the bed during an earthquake.
5. If an earthquake happens and you cannot easily escape by getting out the door or window, then lie down and curl up in the fetal position next to a sofa, or large chair.
6. Most everyone who gets under a doorway when buildings collapse is killed. How? If you stand under a doorway and the doorjamb falls forward or backward you will be crushed by the ceiling above. If the door jam falls sideways you will be cut in half by the doorway. In either case, you will be killed!
7. Never go to the stairs. The stairs have a different “moment of frequency” (they swing separately from the main part of the building). The stairs and remainder of the building continuously bump into each other until structural failure of the stairs takes place. The people who get on stairs before they fail are chopped up by the stair treads - horribly mutilated. Even if the building doesn’t collapse, stay away from the stairs. The stairs are a likely part of the building to be damaged. Even if the stairs are not collapsed by the earthquake, they may collapse later when overloaded by fleeing people. They should always be checked for safety, even when the rest of the building is not damaged.
8. Get Near the Outer Walls Of Buildings Or Outside Of Them If Possible - It is much better to be near the outside of the building rather than the interior. The farther inside you are from the outside perimeter of the building the greater the probability that your escape route will be blocked.
9. People inside of their vehicles are crushed when the road above falls in an earthquake and crushes their vehicles; which is exactly what happened with the slabs between the decks of the Nimitz Freeway. The victims of the San Francisco earthquake all stayed inside of their vehicles. They were all killed. They could have easily survived by getting out and sitting or lying next to their vehicles. Everyone killed would have survived if they had been able to get out of their cars and sit or lie next to them. All the crushed cars had voids 3 feet high next to them, except for the cars that had columns fall directly across them.
10. I discovered, while crawling inside of collapsed newspaper offices and other offices with a lot of paper, that paper does not compact. Large voids are found surrounding stacks of paper.

Travel safe, travel smart, travel informed!

It’s not the scenery that earned the Prince Course Golf Digest’s rating as “Hawaii’s No. 1 Golf Course,” it’s the incredible design Robert Trent Jones, Jr. created to turn rolling terrain into a links-style Golf Course that will challenge you like no other.

Named for Prince Albert, son of Hawaii’s King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma, Golf at the Prince Golf Course is truly a royal experience. This 18-hole, par-72 Golf Course climbs slopes and careens down hills as a demanding layout that calls for your best-planned shots. Five different tees at each hole allow you to customize the game to meet your own skill level. The Prince Golf Course enjoys magnificent views from 300 feet above the Pacific Ocean.

I found this course an amazing blend of target golf with the feel of a links course. The greens are hard and very difficult to read, at least for me. It was hard to zero in on the distance with the rolling slopes. The cost was a bit hard to swallow, especially if you don’t stay at their resort. I was hoping the fairways would have been a little bit better maintained.

The staff was very helpful and even offered tips like the ball always breaks towards Bali Hai and expect it to rain at least twice - this is true! It was amazing to see the multiple water falls form when it only rained for 10 minutes - spectacular.

Princeville also features the Makai Golf Course, making up a total of 45-Holes designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. to enhance the natural habitat of Kauai’s North Shore while providing strategic variety for Golfer’s of all skill levels. Make time to treat yourself to one of “America’s Top 100 Golf Courses,” a masterpiece of design in a majestic setting in the middle of paradise - you won’t regret it!

Carefreetrip.com gives the Princeville Prince Golf Course our of 5 suitcases.