Horse Hubs

The first port for our Royal Caribbean cruise of the western Caribbean was Labadee, Hispaniola which is actually a part of Haiti. This specific port is leased out to Royal Caribbean so only their cruiseships come here. Labadee is actually a peninsula with a few beaches. Getting to land from the cruiseship is by tender.

There is a small section for kids with floating fake icebergs to climb and water slides but they charge an admission fee. Flotation mattresses are also available for rent for those who just want to float in the ocean. There are also locals who help with getting beach chairs for you but they expect tips. So things here are a money grabber. The cruiseship did have optional tours for snorkelling, parasailing, waverunner and kayaking tours but we thought that they were overpriced. Most passengers just spent the day relaxing around the beaches. The area around Labadee was pleasant enough but the beaches and shores themselves were fairly rocky so wearing sandals in the water would be advised. Royal Caribbean had organized a beach BBQ at an outdoor picnic facility which was okay but nothing special. There is a market there consisting of two buildings. One is a store where the souveniers and items have marked prices and the other building is like your typical market where locals try to hustle you for business. The locals inside the market were aggressive but polite. If you don’t mind haggling, you could get some pretty good deals but if you dislike this type of pushy atmosphere, then you best avoid the market except for the fixed price store.

One big difference between this port compared to others is that since it is pretty well being used as a private beach, you will not be hassled by locals. The vendors coming around with drinks at the beach locations are actually Royal Caribbean staff so if one wishes to buy a drink, the cruiseship passcard is all that is required. As for concerns about being in Haiti given the poverty and political situation, Labadee was not a problem because the entire site is enclosed by a high steel fence. Other passengers later told us that they wandered off near the perimeter of the site and saw many Haitians along the fence begging for handouts and food. The fencing was mostly concealed in the distance from the main tourist areas.

We found Labadee in general to be a bit of a waste of time for us. The beaches were too rocky and we didn’t have access to inexpensive activities since everything was run by Royal Caribbean. If one wanted to just go lie on the beach all day and not much else, then Labadee would be a suitable place. For those who want to experience some culture, do water sports without going through the cruiseship, or shop duty free, Labadee would not be the place to go. We decided to stay on board the ship after the BBQ lunch for the rest of the afternoon. I like Royal Caribbean and would definitely cruise with them again but would not want to go on an itinerary that included Labadee in the future.

About the Author

Clint Leung is owner of Free Spirit Gallery http://www.FreeSpiritGallery.ca , an online gallery specializing in Inuit Eskimo and Northwest Native American art including carvings, sculpture and prints. Free Spirit Gallery has numerous information resource articles with photos of authentic Inuit and Native Indian art as well as free eCards.

As an airline pilot, I’ve developed a list of sleep tips.

That’s because I must spend many nights in hotel rooms and I must always be well rested when flying.

Many of these travel rest tips can also improve your sleep at home.

In addition to these great travel rest tips, there are some key travel accessories that I use to assure a great night sleep. They help while recovering from jet lag or sleeping at unusual hours, even in the noisiest locations.

The main reasons people have trouble sleeping well in hotel rooms are:

* Noise
* Light
* Temperature and humidity
* Uncomfortable pillows
* Uncomfortable bed
* Recovering from jet lag
* Being in a strange place
* Hunger
* Not employing sleep strategies

#1- Dealing with Noise

Noise can be the greatest hindrance to travel rest. The good news is there is quite a bit you can do about noise to get some good hotel rest.

Getting a good night’s sleep in your hotel room begins as you drive up to your hotel.

Pay attention to potential noise sources near the hotel.

When you check in, before they give you your room assignment, specifically ask for a “quite room”. If the highway or airport is on one side of the hotel, mention that and ask for a room on the other side of the building.

When I arrive outside my room, I pause and survey the area for potential noise sources.

If my room is in a bad location, I don’t even enter the room. I just head back down to the desk and politely ask for a room in a more quiet location.

The only way to guarantee good travel rest in a noisy place is with a white noise machine.

If I were to give you only one sleep tip, it would be to get a white noise machine. It is a must-have travel accessory.

A white noise machine allows you to sleep in noisy places by producing background noise. This background noise doesn’t register to your mind, and masks the noises that disturb sleep.

To read more about these incredible devices and learn which one I recommend, go to http://www.pilot-pauls-travel-accessories.com/white-noise-machine.html

#2- Dealing with Light

Hotel room curtains rarely close completely. Use some clothespins to clip the curtains together.

The other thing that will help you sleep in a room that has light is a good sleep mask. I review several different ones at http://www.pilot-pauls-travel-accessories.com/sleep-mask.html

#3- Dealing with Temperature Changes

It’s wise to get the temperature adjusted as soon as you get to your room. That’s because if you wait until you go to bed, it’s likely that you’ll awaken because you’re either too hot or too cold.

Sometimes hotel air conditioners make noisy clunking sounds when they cycle on and off. If you have a white noise machine, that’s usually not a problem. If you don’t, you might try to get a quieter room.

#4- Dealing with Uncomfortable Pillows

One of the hardest parts of adjusting to a different bed is not really the bed itself. It’s the pillows. The pillows at the hotel are rarely like what you are used to at home.

There is a fantastic solution to this that’s made a huge difference to me. You can get a small, memory foam travel pillow that gives you a consistent pillow wherever you sleep. You can read reviews and recommendations of these at http://www.pilot-pauls-travel-accessories.com/contour-travel-pillow.html

#5- Dealing with Uncomfortable Beds

This is also something that you want to figure out as soon as you get to your room. Not when it’s late, you’re tired, all ready for bed and when there are no more rooms available.

As soon as I get into my room, I sit and lie down on the bed to make sure that it is comfortable. If it’s not, I head back sown to the front desk and ask if they have any rooms with newer beds.

#6- If You’re Recovering From Jet Lag. This is a major factor after long east/west flights. It is an extensive subject that I have written quite a bit about.

To learn tips and strategies for dealing with jet lag, go to: http://www.Pilot-Pauls-Travel-Accessories.com/jet-lag.html

#7- Make sure that you’re satisfied with the Room cleanliness.

Whether it’s perceived of a reality, if you think that the room or bed you are sleeping in isn’t clean, it will affect your sleep. This is especially true if you think the bedding isn’t clean.

You can easily bring your own bedding by using a contour travel pillow and dreamsack. I have detailed information about them on my web site at www.pilot-pauls-travel-accessories.com/sleep-tips.html

#8- Make things just like at home.

Create a routine and environment as close to what you are accustomed to as possible.

Make sure that your room reflects your smoking preferences.

Develop and practice a regular pre-sleep routine. Studies have shown that you can teach your body and mind that it’s time to relax and prepare for sleep. If you do this at home as well as while traveling, you’ll likely fall asleep more easily.

Keep your sleep time sacred and minimize other responsibilities before trying to go to bed. You should avoid worrying or working in your bedroom.

#9- Manage your Hunger.

If you’re hungry before bed, eat a light snack. Otherwise, your hunger can delay your falling asleep.

Having some snacks available in your hotel room requires some advanced planning, unless the mini-bar prices don’t bother you.

Don’t eat a heavy meal before bed. This will disrupt your sleep because your stomach will be busy digesting your food.

Here are some snacks that travel well: dried fruit, nuts, power or granola bars.

If you’re thirsty before bedtime, drink a small quantity of water.

Avoid alcohol and caffeine for several hours before bed.

#10- Don’t watch the clock.

Turn the clock around so you can’t see it. If you’re having trouble sleeping, your awareness of the time and your thoughts of how late it is or how soon you have to get up will only make it harder to sleep.

Make sure that you have multiple alarms set, and then don’t worry about over-sleeping. I usually get a wake-up call, set the room clock and also my travel clock.

If you can’t fall asleep within about 30 minutes, don’t keep lying in bed trying to fall asleep. Instead, get up and do an activity that will help you relax.

#11- General

Studies have shown that there are two main lifestyle habits that can promote good sleep:

Exercise Regularly. This will help you sleep better, but it is important not to exercise too close to bedtime. Otherwise you body won’t cool down and relax in time for you to fall asleep.

Eat a balanced diet. This will help your overall health as well as improve your sleep.

That’s just a brief overview. I highly recommend that you read my complete sleep tips article before you go on your next trip. Print it and take it with you. You can find it at:

http://www.Pilot-Pauls-Travel-Accessories.com/sleep-tips.html

Copyright 2005 by Ph.Developments USA, Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Pilot Paul is a captain at a major U.S. airline. He also hosts http://www.Pilot-Pauls-Travel-Accessories.com where an airline captain helps you with your travel needs.

If you would like to learn more travel tips, see travel accessory reviews and recommendations, learn insider’s secrets, find travel discounts, or receive our FREE newsletter, please visit us at

http://www.Pilot-Pauls-Travel-Accessories.com

Upon the arrival of winter, ski enthusiasts around the world start searching the Internet and visiting various websites to find a suitable ski vacation package. With so many ski vacation destinations around the world, it is undoubtedly a difficult task to pick one. Planning is an essential ingredient for a successful ski vacation. Create a list of the activities you are interested in pursuing and choose a destination that successfully delivers all.

Skiing is usually the principal purpose of any traveler going for a ski vacation. But there are a good number of travelers who prefer the aprs-ski and other facilities offered by these ski destinations. With such a large choice of ski vacation destinations at your disposal, you can certainly find a ski vacation destination that fits your preferences and needs. The northwest includes ski vacation destinations like Colorado, Utah, Canada, etc. The northeast includes Maine, Pennsylvania, Vermont, etc. Europe includes destination like Austria, France, Italy, Switzerland, etc. And the southern hemisphere includes Argentina, Chile, and New Zealand.

Before planning your ski vacation, search the Internet thoroughly to get some idea about the number of piste (black, red, blue, and green), and off-piste available; the length of the piste on offer; aprs-ski facilities; etc. The aprs-ski facilities on offer are also important, as after a tiring day of skiing, it may be a good option to relax at the clubs, discos, and other places.

Select a vacation package that suits your budget and serves the purpose your of ski vacation. Lastly, no matter which ski vacation destination you visit, be sure to enjoy yourself fully.

Online Cosmetology classes are designed as a continuing education course for currently licensed professional cosmetologists, manicurists, estheticians, and instructors seeking career advancement or license renewal. It is not possible to obtain a complete Cosmetology education through a distance learning course, and online training for license renewal is not approved in all states.

Online Cosmetology schools can be a convenient way for professional cosmetologists to further their knowledge of the field of beauty, without giving up current employment. Beauty specialists (also called beauticians, cosmetologists, or estheticians) may apply to a distance learning course to learn sophisticated techniques and methods of Cosmetology to advance a personal career in Beauty.

Disciplines of Cosmetology include many specialties, such as hair styling and esthetics, shampoo and hair treatment, manicure and pedicure, electrolysis, nail and skin care, and makeup application. Cosmetology professionals are employed in salons and spas, the entertainment and fashion industry, on cruise ships, in skin care salons, dermatology and reconstructive surgical offices, health spas, and in retail sales and marketing.

The practice of Cosmetology requires a license, which is acquired by attending a public or private vocational school and passing state examinations. All online courses in Cosmetology require the prerequisite education, certification and licensure. Some vocational schools offer evening as well as day classes to satisfy the needs of working adults. A certification program in Cosmetology takes one to two years of full-time study.

If you are a Cosmetology worker who would like to learn more about your profession, you can find an online and distance learning schools specializing in Cosmetology at www.schoolsgalore.com.

Copyright 2006 – All Rights Reserved
Michael Bustamante, in association with Media Positive Communications, Inc. for SchoolsGalore.com

M. Bustamante is a staff writer for Media Positive Communications, Inc. in association with SchoolsGalore.com. Find Cosmetology Online at SchoolsGalore.com; meeting your needs as your educational resource to locate schools

Sometimes when I am alone I think, what would my life be if I had no friends? How would I have shared all my happiness and increase the intensity of it? How would I have reduced my grief? How would a normal day turn into a joyful day for no reason?

To my heart’s delight I made a lot of friends and took joy in keeping them all these years and sharing time with them. My friends have added a lot of meaning to my life. They were and are there for me whenever I need them. I am proud of my friends. Every one of them is special. Life without a good friend is meaningless. Making friends is simple.

Friends comes with friendships, they are the channel of love and affection. Friends are like child’s heart, which doesn’t know wrong thinking. When there is a friend with us we feel secure, happy, huge support, and comfortable which you can’t get from others.

They can cheer us when we’re sad or had a bad day. Challenge us when we allow ourselves to get beyond our reasonable boundaries and motivate us when we’re ready to give in, and they can provide for us when life falls apart. They are there when all is well, and we want someone with whom to share life’s pleasant and memorable moments. We often just want them around to have a good time, to laugh, to act silly; to enjoy some mutually liked activity. In how many ways have friends enriched our lives and made us feel loved, accepted. Probably, too many to list, and the list grows daily but the bottom line is we all need friends.

Looking for a getaway close to Metro Detroit? Look no further. Lexington, Michigan is located in the beloved thumb of the Lower Peninsula. Only an hour and a half drive from Southeast Michigan it brings outdoor activities for hunters, fishermen and sunbathers alike.

Lexington is location on the shores of Lake Huron providing boaters a wonderful place to water ski, snorkel, swim and relax. Boaters are able to rent slips in the Lexington Harbor and enjoy the amenities that the downtown area has to offer. Quaint little shops ranging from fudge shops, clothing stores to the historic General Store, there’s something for everyone’s taste.

Downtown Lexington is home to great restaurants and entertainment. Looking for a gourmet sandwich or pizza? Make sure to visit Smackwater Jacks. Smackwater Jacks offers visitors, such treats as, freshly baked Focaccia bread, homemade soups, cappuccino’s and of course their famous sandwiches and pizzas. Visit the Cadillac House if you want to catch a game on their big screen or share a cocktail with many of the locals in the area. Lexington’s newest addition is their theatre, The Lexington Music and Theatre Company. Catch plays put on by local area actors. If you are looking to play some golf, visit Lakeview Hills. Lakeview Hills offers challenging courses through water, sand and trees. Golf isn’t the only game they offer. After having some dinner, challenge your partner to a game of bowling.

You don’t need a boat to enjoy any of Lexington’s amenities. Along the lakeshore you’ll find many cottages, cabins and bed and breakfasts to hang your hat. So whether you are trying to get away from the city or just want to enjoy Lake Huron, Lexington, Michigan offers plenty to do.

Melissa Morrison is owner of Rentalbug Michigan Vacation Rentals, a lodging directory dedicated to Michigan vacation rentals. To find a vacation rental or bed and breakfast visit www.rentalbug.com.

March 2006 – Gift Ideas for St. Patrick’s Day