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Safety Tips For Travelers

By on August 12, 2011 in Safaris

In poorer areas, it’s likely that the overall health care system is outdated and the latest methods of cleanliness are not in place. The International Association of Medical Assistance to Travelers is a nonprofit organization that can refer you to English-speaking, Western-trained doctors. In addition, they advise travelers on health risks and immunization requirements, as well as the sanitary conditions of water, milk, and food around the world. If you do not have a life-threatening condition, don’t dismiss doctors who practice age-old medicine such as ayurvedic (practiced in India for thousands of years) or herbal treatments. These won’t mend your broken arm, but you could get rid of that nasty cold or stomach flu by relying on the wisdom of these highly trained (and often inexpensive) practitioners. In the tropics, keep a close watch on any skin problems such as bug bites, scratches, and skin irritations. It’s easy for these to become infected due to dirty ocean, pool, river, or tap water.

To avoid infections, keep these covered with a bandage or simply stay out of the water. The upside to getting ill in another country is that it will provide you with an opportunity to experience the hospitality of the locals. When Sarah was trekking on the Annapurna loop in Nepal, she got giardia from dirty drinking water. She was forced to abandon the trek, and returned to her starting point in Pokara, where the proprietor of her guest house watched over her and helped her through the illness for two weeks. But this don

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Amador Causeway Panama – It Will Be the Highlight of Your Vacation

By on August 11, 2011 in Adventures

Are you bored and searching for your fun-filled day of activities and adventures?

Have you been bored with your daily existence and needing rest and relaxation?

In the event that you answered yes to either or both of these questions, a trip to the splendid Amador Causeway in Panama City could be precisely what the doctor ordered. There is certainly a wide variety of things to do which range from aquatic sports and jogging to exploring the glorious landscape of this picturesque paradise. Many individuals from all over the world travel to the Republic of Panama simply to visit the Amador Causeway. The costs are quite sensible in comparison to staying in various other locations in the area. Some examples of the day to day activities available are cycling and long boarding. The landscape is amazing as well as the geography is gentle enough to be safe and enjoyable. Many tourists either bring their own bicycles or rent them for a minimal daily fee.

Long boarding in Amador Causeway has increased in the last few years. This really is because of in part to the large number of travelers coming to the Republic of Panama. This area can also be perfect for relaxation. There are plenty of luxurious hotels and spas for your convenience and pleasure. The Amador Causeway is situated in a very secure and thriving part of Panama City. The area is safe for the whole family to visit and is very “kid friendly”. In the last few decades since the Republic of Panama has become more stable and open to tourism, people have been flocking to this exotic location more and more. If you feel this would be an ideal place for you to visit, there are many ways to find good rates and economical trip packages.

Most tourist companies should have tourism info for you to look over and study. Why not treat yourself to one of the best experiences you’ll have in your lifetime? The memories will last you for the rest of your life. Hurry and don’t delay for these travel deals go fast. Treat yourself to the vacation you know you deserve. Visit the Amador Causeway and it could be the highlight of your vacation.

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5 European Investment Reasons for Panama

By on August 11, 2011 in Discover Panama

I remember vividly a time when real estate in Europe was hot. I was studying economics in Madrid and my professor, a young German guy named Knut, described houses and condos as amazing like toilet paper. But since then, many of those great investments have disappeared like an elephant in a Houdini act, and today, Europe’s investors are looking to Panama for answers.

1. A strong currency: With the Euro recently flirting around record highs against the US dollar, Europeans are clearly more inclined to invest abroad. Using online agencies and a plethora of international banks, investing in Panama is even being done from the luxury of home, with several PR firms and satellite companies opening up shop in several major European cities.

2. The descent of traditional tax havens: Places like Lichtenstein and Luxemburg, once notable tax havens in Europe are now under fire and with the EU demanding bank secrecy laws to be changed concerning tax evasion, residents are looking desperately for new, safe locales to position their money. Panama, as an offshore refuge, shows up as a gleaming blip on these radars.

3. The softening of European real estate markets: Once-booming investment markets, specifically in Eastern Europe have now leveled off, to the point that in some cases, real estate earns less than a bank deposit. A region, not but five years ago, deemed to be one of the hottest real estate prospects in the world, is now overheated; these investors are looking for a new spot on the map to get in early, and are turning to Panama.

4. Familiarity: While rural regions like Las Tablas (Los Santos) may not have too many similarities to your everyday village in Brugge, certain coastal areas do have a tendency to remind Europeans of home. And when it comes to city living, many flock to Casco Viejo where open plazas and Spanish/French architecture seem to echo the Europe of yesterday; before prices rose through the roof. Whereas living in the center of the old city might not be financially viable any more in Europe, Casco contrastingly provides these investors with tremendous upside.

5. Increased direct flights: With KLM soon to be offering their new services and IPAT encouraging the tapping of such niche European markets, more and more direct flights into Tocumen Airport are destined to be announced in the near future. This means one, sometimes several less legs on the journey that so many Europeans are already making to the Republic.

When I first moved to Europe, it was pouring outside so I bought a pint of beer in a London pub for $11. Bad weather and high costs of living are also reasons that countries like England have seen more people leaving than ever before. Citizens are simply looking elsewhere for a cheaper real estate and a more affordable standard of living.

While one might assume this European interest is limited to the investments mentioned above, that is not the case. Pre-construction condo sales in Panama City are seeing a revival thanks to Europeans, webmasters are registering increased web traffic from European soil, and tourism businesses are booked thanks to European travel agencies reservations for large groups. And while some may have predicted this influx, I doubt anyone would have expected it this heavy and this soon. Better late than never, real estate in Panama is all set to walk in through the golden phase of prosperity.

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The Isle of North Uist, Scotland in the Outer Hebrides

By on August 11, 2011 in Safaris

North Uist lies centrally in the Western Isles chain about 40 miles west of the Scottish mainland. It is a small island of just 117 sq. miles and is linked by causeways to the other Outer Hebridean islands of South Uist, Benbecula and Berneray.

The main industries on the island are crofting and fishing, but interestingly it was seaweed processing that used to be one of the main occupations (seaweed is still used today to help fertilize the land). Sadly, the population has been in general decline, the 2001 census recording a population of just 1,271. With improved communication and the internet there are new people moving to the island, but the cost of living is still a problem with most essentials being ferried in from the mainland.

The main town in North Uist is Lochmaddy which has a ferry port, bank, Post Office, hotel, pub, petrol station, grocer, shops and tourist centre. There are four main hotels: Lochmaddy, Temple View, Tigh Dearg and Langass Lodge which serve bar and evening meals. The Taigh Chearsabhagh Museum and Arts Centre has a good cafe and is well worth a visit.

The island remains thankfully un-spoilt by tourism and is the perfect place for rest and relaxation in some outstandingly beautiful scenery. The island is fairly flat with it’s highest hills South Lee and Eaval only reaching 898 and 1,139 feet respectively. The eastern side is an incredible patchwork of sea and freshwater lochs & lochans which makes for some truly breathtaking views and sunsets. In fact, water makes up an astonishing one third of the islands surface! The west of the island, bordering onto the Atlantic, is famous for it’s “Machair”* with miles upon miles of the most fabulous sandy beaches and gorgeous blue water that must be amongst the best in the world. There are also magnificent beaches in the north too and on Berneray. *(Machair is Gaelic for an extensive, low-lying fertile plain and is a scientific name for coastal dune pasture that has been locally cultivated. It is one of the rarest habitats in Europe and the Machair in the Uists, Barra and Tiree have a very high shell content, often 80 or 90%).

The island is home to the Balranald, 1500 acre, RSPB nature reserve which covers a wide range of island habitat. Keen birdwatchers may see Corncrakes, Arctic Terns, Corn Buntings and Manx Shearwaters. If you are interested in history there are numerous ancient historical sites dotted throughout the island, many of which are in surprisingly good condition. The “Barpa Langass”, 7 miles southwest of Lochmaddy, is a huge chambered burial cairn (c.3,000BC) that’s well worth a visit as is “Pobull Fhinn”, a small stone circle on the edge of Loch Langass. The ruins of the medieval monastery “Teampull na Trionaid” can also be very atmospheric.

If you are a keen fisherman there are hundreds of lochs to tempt a North Uist trout from, not to mention the fantastic sea-trout and Salmon. It’s worth checking out this website: www.fishhebrides.com. Fishing permits are best obtained from the Lochmaddy Hotel which is also worth visiting for it’s fantastic fresh seafood and bar snacks. The Langass Lodge is also well worth a visit for it’s outstanding local seafood and game.

If you are looking to participate in some out door sports the Lochmaddy Uist Outdoor Centre can arrange a range of outdoor sports including windsurfing, scuba-diving, rock climbing and kayaking (The beach at Sollas is one of the best surfing beaches in the world). For wildlife watchers there is every chance of seeing wild Otters. The adjacent Monach Islands are home to around 9000 grey seal pups born every year. There are 11 species of whale and dolphin, 20,000 grey seals and countless wading birds and rare habitats such as the flower-laden aforesaid Machair land.

The North Uist Highland Games are usually held in mid July with Agricultural shows around the end of July/early August.

North Uist can be reached by Caledonian MacBrayne car ferry from Uig on Skye in 2 hours and from Oban via South Uist in around 6 hours. You can also fly there via the airport at Benbecula from Glasgow on a daily British Airways flight (excluding Sundays).

North Uist is a beautiful, wild and untamed environment that nature lovers will find a joy. The islanders have a fantastic community spirit and are very welcoming – so go there and enjoy!

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