Tasmania - Truly a World Away!

Tasmania or "Tassie" as fondly called by the locals is 150 miles off the southeast corner of mainland Australia.
The island has dazzling wilderness areas, fine wines, distinct colonial heritage and a hip-laid back culture making it one of the country's hottest new destinations of today.

What to explore:
While you're in Hobart, Tasmania's capital, you can shop for locally-made arts and crafts at Salamanca or catch a show at Theater Royale, - Australia's oldest operating theatre.
You can go for a cruise through the Derwent River estuary to Peppermint Bay or just cycle down Mt. Wellington. Don't forget to sample local wines at Moorilla Estate.

Explore further the ancient temperate rainforests of the World Heritage Wilderness through a Gordon River Cruise. Or do a seaplane or helicopter tour over Macquarie Harbour and mountain peaks such as Frenchmans Cap.

Tour Tasmania's favorite brewery,-Boag's or get a taste of the award-winning pinot noir at Tamar Ridge Vineyard & Winery.

Learn more about Tasmania's past through a guided Historic Ghost Tour at the Port Arthur Convict Heritage Site, or do sightseeing on the Georgian architecture and colonial charm of quaint villages.

If you're more into wildlife adventures, visit Narawntapu National Park and get to see wombats and the rare Forester kangaroo.
Take a nocturnal tour of the penguin colony at Bicheno or visit Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park to have a face-to-face encounter with the Tasmanian devil.

Arts & Designs at Cool Capitals

In the world of art, ideas are endless and uniqueness are in various perspectives. That is probably the reason why many people love art.
Art is everywhere,- we can see it in fashion and designs, architecture, food, paintings, even in culture which make an art an enjoyable thing to explore.
That is why Cool Capitals was born from a joint initiative that helps travelers enjoy what is worth exploring, seeing and doing particularly in Europe's most stylish cities, such as Amsterdam, Zurich, Vienna, Valencia and Antwerp.
Europe must be the ideal place to see a real art in various forms, don't you think?
I think it would be worth recommending to visit those top five cool cities in Europe to enjoy a much well-deserved vacation where enjoyment is limitless and fulfilling as well.
It should be worth trying to visit Zurich,-the largest city in Switzerland where Zurich design can easily be seen throughout the city. Being one of the fascinating travel destination in the world in ten years, Zurich is primarily known by its reputation as a premier shopping destination and full of nightlife and recreation. Zurich for sure won't let its travelers get bored, as there are various experiences being offered.
Valencia is another cool city worth exploring due to its unique heritage. It is Spain's third largest city that is part Muslim, part Roman and part Catholic. You shouldn't miss exploring Valencia Art. Many say that art and architecture rule the modern day in Valencia.
Another fascinating city is Vienna,-the capital of Austria. Vienna Design
is considered unique because it is considered a medieval city and yet with modern appeal. It is one dynamic city where music, art, food, architecture and theater are mixed. In Vienna, design and art are as natural as it is from furniture to jewelry because artists are taking their inspirations from the elegant Viennese style.
Their own cultural attractions are world-famous Vienna restaurants, although food is also being influenced by various culinary traditions of Austria's many neighboring countries.

Topamax Injury Attorneys

It's time to act fast and fight for your right. Find out if you have a case for a Topamax lawsuit and get the chance to seek help from a proven law firm at O'Hanlon, McCollom & Demerath based in Texas.

Being a reputable law firm when it comes to fighting rights of injured victims, this firm is composed of a team of well-trained and highly experienced lawyers and legal support staff whose commitment is to provide unparalleled client service.

Your Topamax injuries can make you get a liability compensation that you deserve with their help.
It's time to make those drug manufacturers accountable for the dangerous side effect results made by Topamax.
Check them out online!

Sn. Francisco City Tour

Trip Date: Sept. 19, 2010 - SFO, CA

After finding a parking spot around the area, we signed up for the San Francisco City Tour taking the All Loops Package which include a visit to Golden Gate Bridge, and a visit to Sausalito.

We actually thought we can complete the tour since it is unlimited hop-on, hop-off from the bus for 48 hours and we can make our own itinerary whichever comes first, the way we like it.
There are 27 bus stops on the 4 diverse loops, so we just carried our loop maps with us. ride the bus and from there, we made our itinerary.

After touring the SFO downtown area, we hopped off the bus and strolled up Lombard Street. I almost gave up going up further on the hilly street...stopped 5 times to rest and catch my breaths due to the sharp incline.
But after reaching the top, it was all worth it, seeing the most crooked street in the whole wide world! Whew!

Going back to where the bus stop was tough...we got lost, and I think we were walking endlessly, and felt it was like we walked 3 miles going back and forth!
By the time we reached the place, we realized we could no longer make it to the 3rd loop.
We then proceeded to go on with the rest of the 2nd loop which included the visit to Sausalito.

Sausalito is a charming coastal town that has breathtaking views of the bay. I couldn't seem to find my photo in here but I'll update it in this post once I see it, :)).

The entire day was exhausting but we didn't mind. We enjoyed the tour.
There's always the "next times" of going back to SFO and continue to visit those places we missed during our tour.

MR Direct Sink & Faucets

It was too late for me to know all about MR Direct because I just had bought some stainless sinks for my house recently from a different company :(.
But of course it is worth highly recommending to some friends, particularly those who would be needing Undermount Sinks for their homes.

When you buy products from MR Direct, you can get guaranteed superior quality product at an affordable price with a limited lifetime warranty.

The next time you need an Undermount Sink for your home, you can check on MR Direct either online or by phone.

Be safe & Sober During Holiday Season

It is too early to post this one, but I believe it will still be of help to those who are party goers and to those who love group hangouts with friends as well.

Some occasions, which includes the holiday season means a lot of festive activities that includes drinking...and driving! But you can help protect yourself by being sober, and here's what you must do:

• Stay away from drunk drivers, and report them to local law enforcement (when safely possible). If you see one, note the car's make, model and color; license plate number and the direction in which it was traveling.
• Always wear your seat belt, and check and ensure the kids are properly secured on the child safety seats.
• Offer non alcoholic drinks to your guests if you are hosting a party. Take note that you can be held legally liable if you serve alcohol to someone who becomes involved in an accident.
• And of course, if you drink, never drive! Don't ride in a car with an intoxicated driver as well!
  

Spend Less, Get More!

A tight budget is tough to handle. Considering the economic situation nowadays where everything is skyrocketing, there is no way for overspending out from our budget. Don't you think?
Let's be practical! Who doesn't love discounts coupons, or hot deals nowadays? That means great savings, and the bigger the savings we can get, the more money we can save.

There's one great site worth highly recommending to everyone when it comes to shopping or buying online. You might want to check http://www.savings.com where you can find the best deals on all the things you want or need to buy online.
It might even surprise you that your favorite store has a lot of deals without you knowing it. But at savings.com, you can do a super easy search on your store, or the brand or item you want to buy and voila! - you ca now have a list of your item with its corresponding coupon.
There are lots of free online coupons on this site, particularly famous department stores and brands that you can find, - from the smallest accessory of any product to the heaviest kind of furniture! ;)

Do you have facebook account? Then, you can even get more deals easily from there when you join the site by simply pressing the "like" button.

One good thing from the site as well is you can get help and advice from deal experts for free. Plus, you can get more information by reading about their money saving tips, - shopping advices, product reviews, etc...
So don't wait any longer, catch the hottest deals because as they would say; - "saving money feels so good!"

I'm bookmarking it myself! ;).

Delaware's New Children's Museum

There's that long awaited children's museum that has recently opened at the Wilmington Waterfront in Delaware. Its doors opened last April 24, 2010.

The place is easily located in a bright yellow building from adjacent Interstate 95, and within walking distance of the train and bus stations, and parking is free!

So, what's in the museum to play with? There are a lot.

ECOnnect - kids can play in the water of a stream table then take a stroll on a boardwalk through Delaware ecosystem to see the flora and fauna living there, from forest and rivers to wetlands to shoreline.

Studio D - place where kids can get creative in an artistic media - printmaking, weaving, sculpture and painting.

It also has a money-themed exhibit to teach kids financial literacy, where they can earn money, a stock market for investing, a bank for saving and ways to spend money as well as to give back through charity.

A transportation-themed exhibit is also present and kids can climb on a toddler-sized train or boat, or go work in the auto shop fixing a miniature car.

The museum focuses on science and technology, math in an interactive playful ways.

Fisherman's Wharf

September 18, 2010 - San Francisco, CA

Who isn't familiar when it comes to Fisherman's Wharf? It's the popular destination of many visiting SFO and famous waterfront community in SFO (San Francisco).

We tried our luck with our GPS, went there and the place was so crowded.
Since it was weekend, finding a parking spot is tough! We finally able to get one after going around the place for 10 minutes.

We though of seeing Alcatraz Island, and we saw a ticketing booth close to Pier 39 to get a ticket for the ferry boat. It's a small trip adventure that has something to look forward to, so off we went.

Our trip was called "Alcatraz Tour Cruise" (Escape From The Rock) and we boarded the Blue Gold Fleet at Pier 39.
The tour includes the history of the island, the facts about the Golden Gate Bridge and other facts about the bay.
We had a closer look of the Golden Gate as we went under it. It was foggy that day, so the entire bridge wasn't really clear.

We thought the tour would allow us to go down the Alcatraz Island, but it was only a cruise.

Oh, and we also saw a group of sea lions hanging out close to the pier at Pier 39. There were tons of them, and no wonder why that "fishy" smell on that area seems to be strong!

Luxury Hotel Deals in San Francisco

Later last year (September), we were in San Francisco for a pleasure visit. And by the way, if you are planning to do a trip there, one day won't be enough if you want to visit the entire city as there are many things to do and enjoy in San Francisco.

One important thing you have to do as well is to find san francisco hotel deals, particularly if you plan to stay there longer. Getting a hotel in San Francisco at a regular rate can be very expensive, so you do not want to spoil the fun of your vacation by ending up overspending, do you?

Have you heard about Off & Away auction? You can check it on their site about the promo. Who knows? You will be the next lucky one to win the auction and you will get a special room with an extra spa as a relaxation ;). Take note that there are many hotels around the area as well participating in the auction aside from San Francisco hotels that are selected. But regardless of where the hotel is, you will still enjoy the same vacation all throughout.
But of course, just don't forget checking the upcoming auctions for San Francisco luxury hotel deals.

Ahh! I miss San Francisco! The last time we visited Fisherman's Wharf, it was only a short trip of pleasure since we were coming from Oakland where my husband had his business trip there. It was a 40-minute drive going to the wharf and that time the hotel we stayed at in Oakland was paid by the company where my husband was working.

It's good to go back in San Francisco someday, and I am bookmarking these deals. I am aiming to win the auction for SFO! :))

The Gamble House (A Visit)

September 11, 2010 - Pasadena, CA

Call us unlucky this day when we went to see The Gamble House.

It was around 5pm when we reached the place, and so we were not able to catch up the last tour in the house. So, I can't share that much about the house except for a few.

The Gamble House is an internationally recognized masterpiece of the turn-of-the-century Arts and Crafts Movements in America.
It is in this house where you can see the most complete and the original examples of the work of the architects Charles & Henry Greene, built for David & Mary Gamble of The Procter and Gamble Company.

The Greene brothers' works made a strong impact on the development of 20th century American architecture.

It's one of the best place to go visit if you have high appreciation of fine historic architecture.

Save Money. Be Happy.

Who doesn't want free coupons and discounts? After all, these means great savings and budget friendly.
So, here comes an online resource site where you can get them at Savings.com. It's an easy access to all shops with just one-click to all the best daily deal offers closer to you!

It's here where you can find the best deals as well, whether you are searching your favorite store, a brand, or just a simple keyword that you want to purchase.

There are tons of categories to choose from, so it's just like a complete list of coupons for your favorite stores or brands. Another good thing is that you can print your coupons online from the comfort of your own home.
You can as well get your coupon codes here if you are shopping online, so still no worries or hassles.

One cool thing about the site is that you can get great advices or help from the deal experts right on the site. Feel free to post your queries on their homepage.
And when it comes to ideas and resources in money saving tips, we all need couponing words of wisdom! ;).

You can freely read this article about the proper way of using coupons at the right time, in the right place.
It's particularly ideal for frugal moms out there in which they can get big savings!

40 Ways to Play in Florida - Part 2

I have posted Part 1 of this few weeks ago, so I am adding some more and making it as the Part 2 of the post ;). So, here are the other activities you can enjoy:

21. Dazzle your taste buds at the Columbia Restaurant in Tampa's Latin Quarter, Ybor City and take in a flamenco show.

22. Revel in the modern masterpieces at the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville, set in the refurbished Western Union Telegraph Building on Hamming Plaza, and savor an artful lunch at Cafe Nola.

23. Get behind the wheel or take a professional driver and take a spin around the track at Richard Petty Driving Experience, one of the interactive attractions at the Daytona 500 experience. This is a haven for racing fans.

24. Visit the Caladesi Island State Park and savor the beauty and tranquility of it. It's renowned for sugar-white sands and lovely nature trails, accessible via ferry or boat.

25. Experience hearing the beat at West Palm Beach's Sunfest (April 30-May 4). This is an annual music festival that features top performers plus a juried arts and crafts show.

26. Watch the world's largest miniature circus at The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota which explores circus history and features a collection of fine art.

27. Take in the magnificent scenery from a unique vantage point by navigating through a houseboat down the fabled Suwannee River.

28. Experience the Shuttle Launch at the Kennedy Space Visitor Complex which simulates the sensations of an actual launch. For a close encounter with a different kind, enjoy launch with an astronaut, a program that puts you in the same orbit with a member of NASA's Astronaut Corps.

29. Play golf like a pro at the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, - a magic simulator of playing golf from the Old Course at St. Andrews to the plantation Course at Kapalua :).

30. Experience the thrill of a classic wooden roller coaster, Starliner, at Winter Haven's Cypress Gardens Adventure Park.

31. Try the "Sanibel Stoop" on Sanibel and Captiva islands, then choose from a bounty of sea treasures which are best found at low tides and after Gulf storms.

32. Visit National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, participate in a dogfight while at the controls of a Navy F-14 Tomcat in the museum's Top Gun Air Combat Simulators - the same ones used to train pilots.

33. Swim with the dolphins and learn how to interact with them at Dolphin World in the Keys.

34. Check the Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World, where joke is always on the audience.

35. Go for a high quality flea-market buys at the luxurious Big Cypress Market Place in Naples, - an upscale shopping center that features a winery, live entertainment, food court and tiki bar.

36. Get party at Key West's Mallory Square and join with street performers, vendors and artists who made this nightly celebration world-famous.

37. Watch manatees frolic from an underwater observatory at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, or take a boat tour and swim with the gentle giants.

38. Marvel at the genius of Louis Comfort Tiffany at the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art in Winter Park that houses large collections of the artist's exquisite works.

39. Visit the myriad antique stores of Mt. Dora and don't miss the famous Renninger's Antique Center. Opens on weekends.

40. Go check the Edison & Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers and see how neighbors Thomas Edison and Henry Ford spent their vacations, follow the footsteps of their invention and check Edison's lab and botanical garden that kept his mind engaged year-round.

The Steam Team of Texas

For the Texans, aren't you happy that The Steam Team is just an easy reach from your area? When it comes to total cleaning and restoration of your home or properties, it helps to feel better knowing they are within your reach, right?
So, stop searching for a company that doesn't even exist in your area.

Need carpet cleaning services? You can find them available through carpet cleaning vacuum austin. They can be relied upon as well when it comes to carpet odor removal, carpet cleaning for chemicals, etc... It's budget-friendly. Check carpet cleaning price austin for this.

If your properties has undergone fire damage, you need fire damage cleanup austin to help you restore your properties.
They have a wide range of services when it comes to cleaning and restoration, a big help for many. Check them out!

The Griffith Observatory

The Observatory is actually a famous icon of Los Angeles, - located at 1,134 feet above sea level on the southern slope of Mt. Hollywood in Griffith Park, and is visible from various points of the LA basin.

The place is accessible by cars and buses and vehicle parking is free. Parking is very limited and usually gets full during weekends. Disabled parking is also available.

From the parking lot, there are also shuttle buses operating during the weekend from 10am-10pm to go uphill.
The exact location is at 2800 East Observatory Road, Los Angeles, CA 90027.
Admission is free but there are minimal charges for shows inside the building.

The place is a great location for learning that mostly deals with space and astronomy, - ideal place to those who love to learn ;).

There is the famous Samvel Oschin Planetarium, where shows are held, and exhibits.

If you always wanna know about what's in the sky, this is the place where the answer to your queries might be.

Taxis For Hire

If you are a frequent traveler from airport to airport, it helps to get your mind at peace when you know there are licensed and insured transport groups that are available 24/7 at the airport.

If you are traveling to Orlando, FL, beware of some taxi companies that may charge you a 20% mandatory driver gratuity fee as a cover up for the attractive low estimate. Most of them also require you to prepay for reservations and charge you for any plan change. You see, those are all trip hassles and you may end up overspending rather than saving.

So, if you have plans of acquiring a transportation going to Orlando International Airport, just check MCO Airport Transportation and see how can they help you. This should be an ideal transport company to deal with if you are traveling with a large group and you need transportations from MCO Airport.

You can also find them available when you reach destination at Sanford International Airport. Good thing with Orlando Sanford Transportation is that you can have various options for your rides in going to your final destination such as your hotels, parks or resorts.
Availabilities of shuttles, buses, cabs or rentals are always there, so name your choice.

Of course, whatever the purpose of your trip would also depend on what kind of transportation you need. Shuttles are ideal for groups that are not in a hurry. But before considering one, just check if your hotel is within their routes.
Otherwise, you can either choose a bus or a cab if you have a particular or fixed itinerary or scheduled tours that you need to catch up.
Others would feel more convenient on renting a car as another option, particularly if you need a lot of driving in the area.

Taxi4Hire Transportation in Orlando, FL has no hidden charges. The exact quote you get from them is all you get to pay and that's it.

By the way, if you are going to Port Canaveral, there's also a Port Canaveral Transportation available for you. Whether you're arriving from Orlando International Airport (MCO) or Sanford International Airport (SFB), there's always an available seating for you. You can start requesting your quote online or by phone at the links given for rates and types of transport you need.

Late Visit at Cousin's Home

September 10, 2010 - Glendale, California

I haven't actually seen this cousin of mine since she was born, so it was kinda exciting seeing her for the first time!

And to think about it, now, she has 3 wonderful kids (all girls) and it was so overwhelming meeting the kids as well who were so much fun to be with!

It was such a nice feeling meeting them all for the first time, and a nice bonding that's worth sharing as well ;). I and hubby had great time spending our weekend vacation with them.

High Quality Patio Furnitures

High quality made products don't always mean expensive, and expensive products don't always mean high quality made. Take for example the case of patio furnitures where many customers sometimes would not rely on the product because it's cheap! Wrong!
Better yet check the adirondack chairs at Terra Bound Solutions online and see it for yourself. With that, you know what I'm talking about, right?
Considering the fact that adirondack chairs are popular as outdoor furnitures, many customers prefer having them. Well, how would you like to have a high quality made yet at a cheaper price chairs like that?!

If you have wider space for your outdoor needs, it would be nice to make some unique accents by also adding some picnic tables, too. This must be a good deal for those who need commercial picnic tables for their business as well.

It's also here where you can get to choose any commercial and residential park benches in various sizes, styles and materials, and yet with premium quality outdoor site furnishings. Check the items you might be needing. You can even get a lot of savings just in case you order them online.

Did You Know?

...that in New York, a cab can be difficult to find between the hours of 4:30 and 5:30AM and 4:30 and 5:30PM?
It's because those are the times when many drivers change shifts or go off duty. So, if you're a cab dependent or you don't drive, avoid looking for them during those times.

Weatherproofing the Place

Guest post written by Todd Felton

Towards the end of last week, it is really incredible how much snow we got. I looked out the window one morning and the neighborhood was a winter wonderland. While my kids got off for school, I wasn't so lucky and I had to go out in the inclement weather and go about business as usual. I am definitely glad that I purchased some new snow tires for my truck. They really gave me a peace of mind. Fortunately, my commutes to work have been just fine, despite the weather. I suppose I should come to expect these conditions now that I live in the north eastern U.S.

At the end of this upcoming work week, I am going to have to do a little more to weatherproof my house, as opposed to just my car. My wife's been telling me that the dining room windows are a little drafty. To be perfectly honest, I haven't been too enthusiastic about looking at the problem myself so I think I'm going to look at options at Homeproimprovement.com. I can't wait until it's time to prepare for spring or summer!