Mt. Vernon Estate, Museums and Gardens (The Visit)

George Washington's Home Tour

May 21, 2010 - Alexandria, VA

If you are visiting the estate for the first time, and you're driving by car with GPS, the address might not show properly on it, making it confusing to follow the directions.
There is a google map linking to the exact address of Mt. Vernon, located on the general information menu on their website. Just google it and you'll be taken up there.

Since we were coming from Washington D.C., it was supposed to be a 30-minute drive going to the place, but gosh!...we were caught up in a traffic jam and so we reached the area after an hour and 30 minutes drive..Whew!

The only thing we were able to do was to visit the mansion which was the last batch of tour at 4PM. Well, better yet than nothing!

it's always good to be there early so you can see and enjoy things including visits to Washington's tom, the gardens, and many more activities.

Affordable Printer Inks

Tired of getting into hassles driving from store to store looking for printer cartridges ? Then, it's time to consider the convenience of shopping online while at the same time saves you money and can keep your budget uncompromised. When it comes to your best source of printer cartridges and/or ink refill kits, Printer-Cartridges.com should be your place to go. The company has been in business since 2002 and has been providing customers with their printer cartridge supplies with the highest quality products and yet at the lowest prices available. Printer-Cartridges.com is a one-stop shop for all your printer needs and ink refill kits as well. All of their refill kits and printer cartridges are backed by a full one-year guarantee, plus avail the free shipping service when you order $45.00 or more! Another good news is that you can be guaranteed to have same-day shipping to all orders placed from Monday to Friday before 5pm eastern time. You don't need to worry about your item being hard to find because they have an extensive product line meant to fit more than 300 various brands and printer models. You can also find other products like laser tone cartridges, tone refill kits, bulk inks and bulk toners. Just use their search feature on their homepage and you'll discover how extremely easy it is to find the item you need without having to get out from your home. Your shopping here is secure, so no need to worry about. Just keep in mind. When it comes to ink-jet cartridges, Printer-Cartridges.com has all makes and brands! :)

Shenandoah Valley's Beauty & Beyond

If you happened to be touring the lovely Shenandoah Valley, don't forget to check out the beautiful scenery underground, - the caverns!

Western Virginia has at least 4,000 known caves and many are open to the public. Touring Shenandoah Valley show cave is like taking yourself back 600 million years to when the movement of the continents began the creation of these windows into the netherworld beneath our feet.

The most popular is Luray Caverns, discovered in the 18th century. Designated as a national landmark, the caverns are the largest in the east, featuring a variety of named chambers such as Giant's Hill which is dominated by 10-story high golden columns.

The Grand Caverns is another famous one located near Grottoes. it's the nation's oldest show cave since 1806. Here, you can explore the Cathedral Hall, a vast underground room of 280 feet long and more than 70 feet high. It has drapery-like flow stone on the walls, and massive columns stretch from floor to ceiling.

All Inclusive Vacation at Breezes

Summer and beach lovers, (that would include me!), this could be the all inclusive vacation you are waiting for! Of course, a summer get away vacation could also be a big bonus of savings, don't you think? How about planning for a Caribbean vacation courtesy of Breezes Resorts and Spas? It's been a big dream for me to visit the Caribbean someday soon! :)...and when we do it's gonna be beach, summer, and sun with a lot of good food and great adventures. I have been checking out the all inclusive vacations of Breezes Resorts to get an idea about what I can expect in an all inclusive vacation. Breezes actually calls their packages super inclusive, which suggests it is probably one of the better all inclusive packages. They certainly would fill my wish for great food and adventure with unlimited food and snacks and drinks. But what about adventure? Well how about scuba diving off the coast of Venezuela or snorkeling on the coral reef? Or maybe climbing a rock wall or kayaking? There are just so many things to do waiting for you at the Breezes resorts. If you visit their website you will get details about each resort location. The earlier you book, the better your savings! Did you know that you can save up to 55% off for their super summer and fall sale? Just take note that this promo varies by resort, so you have to check their website for details. For the early booking bonus, you can save as much as 20-25% off for any booking for your 2011 stays. Just imagine having such a great choice in all inclusive resorts locations that are such good value, a once in a lifetime opportunity, don't you think? What more can I say?...Life's really a breeze at Breezes Resort and Spas!

Ecuador's Pacific Coast

Due to its spectacular and unspoiled coast, Ecuador has sugary beaches and quaint villages that line its Pacific Coast. It has 6 distinct provinces that made up the coastal region namely; - Esmeraldas, Manabi, Los Rios, Santa Elena, Guayas and El Oro.

Esmeraldas also known as "the Green province" is accessible only by canoe making it an ideal destination for unforgettable river safaris.

Manabi is a place ideal for whale watching, diving or relaxing on the beach with a cocktail :).

Guayas is the place of Ecuador's largest city and chief port in Guayaquil, where neighborhood is full of historical attractions and landmarks which are worth exploring.

You might want to check out Spondylus Route, which offers fascinating archaeological sites, as well as surfing, paragliding and many more for nature and adventure lovers.

Is Your Best Interest Taken By Heart?

Basing on the title of my post, I am talking about the trend on getting your eye care done. Do you feel taken cared of by medical professionals responsible for it?
Considering the health care dilemma that most people are facing today, - most health seekers are resorting to more affordable services that can fit into their budget.
Perhaps, many of you have heard about ZenniOptical; - an online store that offers affordable yet very high quality eyeglasses to customers who are in need.
But what happens when eye care professionals like opticians who usually gives PD (pupillary distance) for eyeglass fitment can be cold and/or harsh and choose not to do it because of some reasons only them would know?
If Zenni Optical doesn't do PD and thus relies to opticians (or whomever are allowed to do PD procedures) who don't want to do it because maybe some would feel they are being robbed of their entire responsibility from their professions, or think they hate competitions, I think that would be unfair!
In every case where companies and professionals offer health services in various settings and methods should be healthy professionals that should respect and recognize the idea of healthy competitions in the world of health, - financially or professionally wise.
Professionals who are licensed or allowed to do PD for health seekers who need one don't have any reason why they should not do it. Whether they charge a fee or free of charge, I think it should be no big deal. There are company rules to be followed, and let's stick to that.
Health seekers and medical professionals should have a mutual agreement and balance understanding on what the rules and policies are to be followed because health seekers would ultimately takes his decision in the end.

Washington National Cathedral - (The Visit)

May 21, 2010

It was a good thought after all to plan for this itinerary visit after I was done with my paper works submission at the Philippine embassy in Washington D.C.

The cathedral is just 5 minutes away from where I was, so it wasn't bad.

This church opens its doors to thousands of visitors and worshippers every year, mainly because of the cathedral's awesome architecture and arts. It's a church for national purposes that welcomes people of all faiths.

I was captivated by its huge architectural design both in and out. The audio tour was great!

If you don't want to miss every detail of information about the cathedral, - the audio tour is the best option. You'll learn every aspect about the cathedral :).
The audio tour is self-paced and costs $5.00 per person. It's only available when there are no special events or services that are taking place inside the main area.

Oh, and one more thing to be aware of...DON'T take photos when mass or worship service is being held. Otherwise, you can take photos on everywhere around the church. Just be sure you have a fully-charged camera.

I will be sharing a separate post on the cathedral which might be of two parts, so I can actually discuss the vast areas including its famous inspirational arts and architecture ;).

Vacation Get-Away at the Beach!

Where could you find a truly relaxing comfort, convenience and luxury but only at towers at myrtle beach!
There's nothing more the best vacation can give when you feel so carefree in an oceanfront scenery, don't you think?

Visit www.towersatnorthmyrtlebeach.com and check their various detailed accomodations with breathtaking window-views. You would surely enjoy many adventures and sights that would make your vacation long lasting and full of memories to cherish.

There are lots of activities worth doing and full of fun at myrtle beach. If you love the beach as well as the nature, then for sure this is your place. People who love to shop, and those who love to visit parks, museums, gardens or theaters will surely enjoy their vacation here as well.

ECUADOR - Life at its Purest!

Did you know that one in ten known species in the world is found in the Ecuadorian Amazon? It's because its Amazon region is lovingly preserved thus, unforgettably beautiful.

Its Amazon region has 6 provinces divided into two; - Upper Amazon and Lower Amazon.

Ecuador provides the richest and easiest access to the magnificent tropical rain forest of the Amazon in all South America.

Due to its huge protected areas of the rain forest, indigenous ethnic tribes exist and still observe their original traditions and distinct customs. But visitors are still made to feel at home whether they mingle with the tribe people or relaxing in the comfort of five-star hotels or lodgings.

I Need a Kitchen SInk!

Thank goodness for this site that I saw today. I am still currently renovating my house in the Philippines and the interior aspects aren't yet done. I am actually looking for good quality stainless steel sinks that would perfectly work in my kitchen and the 2 bathrooms up and down.
I requested my engineer and architect to let them check that they should be a stainless steel sink.

I'm thinking of buying this kind considering the good quality and the price. I will be going to the Philippines 3 months from now, so I guess I need to probably order here and just send the items from here as soon as possible.

Ahhh...this is making me excited! Can't wait to see my new house soon! :).

Winter Driving Tips

A few months more and winter will be here. So, here are some helpful tips to ease your winter journey:

Be sure you are well-familiarized with your vehicle. Be sure to adjust the morrors, and know how to operate the heater, defroster and wipers.

If weather is really bad, wait out. It's extremely difficult to drive on snow and ice-covered roads. Wait til roads are clear.

Be aware that stopping takes longer. A 16-feet truck requires up to 3 times more distance to stop on a slick road than on a dry road. Larger trucks require even greater stopping distances.

Clear your vehicle of snow and ice before you take to the road. Clear all mirrors, windows, headlights and tail lights. Remove any excess snow from the vehicles hood and roof.

Always know your blind spots.

Let antilock brakes do the job. There's no need to pump this multiple times, as is the case with brakes in older cars.

Watch your speed, and slow down on slick roads.

Be sure to pack your essential items such as drinks, snacks, blankets for warmth, - and more importantly a fully charged cell phone in the event that you will be stuck on weather delays. Get a good rest before you take to the highway.

Yucatan - a Mexican Experience

I haven't been to this place yet, but I would love to go see this place someday :).

The State of Yucatan is only 3 hours from Cancun, located on the famous Yucatan Peninsula.

Today, tourists can experience the fascinating history with its charming villages, dazzling cities and world-renowned archaeological sites. There are abundant remains from the Mayan world found in Yucatan. it boasts over 2,000 archaeological sites of which only 20 have been excavated and restored.

The perfect place to begin exploration of Yucatan is in the capital city of Merida - also known as the White City for its prestine beauty, vitality and external allure. It is rich in colonial architecture, stately and seren tree-lined avenues, vibrant night life and world-class cuisine.

Explore the remains of this ancient civilization.

Affordable Vacation Rentals

Let's face it! Everyone deserves a much needed vacation, don't you think? If you love winter and enjoy skiing, then you shouldn't let this offer pass.
It's probably time for you to check your lodging before the peak season comes. Why not check on Frisco Colorado lodging? I'm sure you'll gonna love this place due to its easy accessibility to all the ski areas you will love. Aside from that, you can get at least between 30% - 60% discount on their nightly rates when you choose to stay there for this year.
On the other hand, you wouldn't run out of options in choosing your place. There is the Breckenridge vacation rentals located in Frisco, Colorado where in you can get to have wide variety of choices for your rooms, locations and price. You can browse the complete list of all the properties and easily locate the perfect rental property for your vacation.
Breckenridge rental homes are surely the perfect place to stay where you will experience to live in a world class ski destination. Cool, isn't it? There are lots of things and activities to see and do in Breckenridge aside from skiing. Who says winter is boring? Experience what Breckenridge has to offer...your winter experience would be worth the fun! :).

Planning A Castle Wedding in the US?

Here are some castles worth considering if you're planning for a castle wedding in the US.

• Oheka Castle (Huntington, NY) - a long island chateau with grand ballroom, sweeping staircase and elaborate grounds.
• Castle McCulloch (Jamestown, NC) - it has medieval tapestries, 70-foot tower, drawbridge and moat.
• Castle farms (Charlevoix, MI) - the place is surrounded by formal gardens with magestic stone hall, soaring tower, and charming gazebo.
• Castle Green (Pasadena, CA) - it has a marble ballroom with palm trees on the landscapes. it's a Spanish colonial castle-inspired.
• Cherokee Ranch & Castle (Sedalia, CO) - this ranch is a Scottish-style castle inspired with rocky mountains serving as a breathtaking backdrop for weddings.
  

From big city to small town living

Guest post written by Lucas Granger

When I left Manhattan for a quiet town in Indiana that I thought would be my little writer’s haven, I was used to being able to walk and see or buy anything that I wanted at any time of the day or night. However, I learned pretty quickly that that definitely wouldn’t be the case here in my new (perhaps temporary) home.

A few weeks after my arrival, I started getting more than a few day’s worth of groceries since I had the luxury of driving a car to the grocery store now. But one thing I did suffer from was the inability to pick up others’ wireless signals. I thought that this would do at least until I got settled into my new place and got around to getting an internet connection.

But I almost immediately ordered the first dial-up internet service available before switching over to wildblue satellite in Indiana out of frustration. I couldn’t believe how my satellite internet compared to dial-up and was able to correspond with my editors and agent at the speed I was accustomed to again.

What To Wear When Touring Safari

Are you ready on your safari tour?
You must know what colors are to avoid. Red colors are hated by lions; military fatigues look fraudulent; avoid hair gels, perfumes or aftershaves as they are bothersome to animals; and avoid shiny baubles as it might catch a leopard's roving eye.

Take concern on luggage weight you might be carrying. Hippo Creek Safaris for example, limits luggage to 35 lbs., while Premier Tours camping safaris allow only 26 lbs.

What to pack:

• a Kelty duffle (measures 30 inches, but weighs 1 lb.) that has basic pieces that are both snappy and sound;
• a Polartec fleece and long pants for chilly mornings, pair of khaki pants or shorts for men, and a tank top to layer under a linen button-down, for women.
• Teva sandals is ideal for a stroll through African bushes so heavy hiking boots are not really needed.
• Black slacks, driving shoes, a trusty linen button-down, and a silver necklace or scarf is recommended. No skirts as there are many malaria-carrying mosquitoes around at night.

Have fun!

Getting Ready For Summer Fun

Getting ready for summer fun.

Thanks for the post from Rashad Townsend

I just finished booking our summer vacation, just a couple more weeks and we will be on a romantic getaway in Cancun. I am so glad we were able to do it all online with hughes satellite . Personally, I love the convenience of online shopping, especially when I need to compare prices. Who isn't on a budget? We were able to check out the different five star hotels and compare amenities and prices, plus we could see all the different suites that were offered. The hotel we finally decided on has an awesome view of the Mexican Caribbean.

We had a great time just looking at all the places we could stay and at all the different activities we could choose from. I am looking forward to learning to scuba dive We also have a list of nightclubs and restaurants that we want to try from recommendation we found online. I am so glad we switched from dial-up to satellite internet in Arkansas. I don't think we could have planned this trip using the old slow dial-up.

We were able to get some really good airfare and hotel rates as well. I think if you really do you homework, the travel deals online are unbeatable. If the trip is half as much fun as the planning was, we will be in good shape.

Dealing With Trip's Worst-Case Scenarios For Your Lodging

Scenario: Weather (flooding, hurricane, etc.) wreaks havoc. If you see water or wind damage, ask the agency's representative to check it out, and arrange alternative lodging. The villa's owner insurance should cover the flooding, so don't clean it up yourself.

Scenario: Sudden cancellation due to personal reasons. Notify the agency by phone and in writing as soon as possible. Be honest about your circumstances. Your chances for a refund are better if they are able to rebook the villa.

Scenario: Your villa is burglarized. Inform your local rental contact right away and file a statement with the police. Some homeowners insurance policies cover theft of your belongings, so follow any instructions so you can get reimbursed.

Scenario: Your bill has charges you didn't anticipate. Let the agent itemized everything that are to be paid. Other services such as internet, phone, AC, pool heating, and drivers are often NOT included. Finally, if anything seems suspicious, ask for proof of charges.

Steps to Successful Villa Rental

Picking the right vacation house can be more complicated than ever. It can mean hassles or ending up in a place you never wanted to. Want to know some tips to help you ensure your villa vacation would be smooth and hassle-free from start to end? The following below might help:

First, know what to expect. There can be down sides to making yourself at home such as doing the dishes yourself or changing light bulbs can be part of it, even for high-end properties.

Second, travel with like-minded friends. Although travelling with companions is fun, unexpected issues can still arise. An example would be doing the bedroom selection in advance. Establishing some strategies might help such as picking numbers from a hat; apply different price points to different rooms, or yield to the person who books the villa.

Third, book early, or last minute. Villa rental companies would mostly prefer locking your dates 10-14 months ahead of time, but at times booking until the last minute can be beneficial as well.

Fourth, call upon the expert. You'll probably likely to have a smoother stay when you go through an established agency rather than finding rentals advertised through craigslist, urbo dot com, or a local newspaper. Determine whether a rental agency is of highest quality by looking at the size of the agency (smaller is better because they can take care of you personally), look at the quality of properties listed and the lenght of the company in service.

Fifth, ask the obvious questions. Common inquiries such as does the villa come with sheets and towels, is it childproofed? is it quiet? Are the owners around or not? etc...

Next, get everything in writing. Agreement or contracts can have hidden costs, - taxes, departure fees, heating and AC charges, etc. Make sure you read the policy contracts and make sure that there should be an explanation what happens when things really go wrong.

And finally, buy travel insurance. This would help you when certain medical emergencies or unforeseen conflicts suddenly come along the way...you'll never know!

Tour the Bahamas!

This is one of my target for a future trip ;). Of course, when we say Bahamas, obviously it is cruising on the sea. Not a surprise because it's the only best way to see much of Bahamas.
They say yachting is a great thing to do there by which 3 cruising grounds are many's favorites.

The Abacos Islands: It's protected from the Atlantic with barrier of cays with calm waters. The best way to see it would be to charter boats. Marsh Harbour is functional which offers sailboats with or without captains and crew. One day rentals can go as much as $350 - $630.

The Berry Islands: This island has 30 sq. miles, an ideal place to hunt mahi-mahi and bonefish. Start your adventure from Great Harbour Cay at the main island which has a large port and a small airport. As usual, the only best way to explore the island is through boat rentals in which many boat rentals company offer them at the island. Don't miss visiting Hoffman's Cay where daredevils leap 20 ft. into a deep blue swimming hole. You can as well enter the water through steps down to a striated grotto.

The Exuma Islands: - is composed of hundred of small islands with 120-mile length. There is a 10-mile long port called Elizabeth Harbour in which most yachts stop there. You might want to sign up for full day tours as well with Exuma Cays Adventure. Then, be sure to stop by to visit Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park which is 176 sq. miles of pristine ocean, reef and cays at the top of the chain.

Have fun! :)