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Stay Safe In The Sun!

The summer holidays supply a extraordinary opening to enjoy days out with the children. Amidst all the fun and frolics, it is important when spending time outdoors to ensure you and your house remain safe in the sun. Here are some great tips to ensure you avoid the dreaded - and extremely harmful - sunburn and an unpleasant bout of sunstroke.

Ensure you stock up on protective sunscreen for your family. Buy a few bottles so you can keep one in the house, one in your bag and one in the car, ensuring you have sunscreen to hand wherever you are.

Beach Tent For Babies

Apply your introductory application of sunscreen before you go out. You should do this at least twenty minutes before being exposed to the sun to ensure the ingredients are actively working. A good time to apply your children's sunscreen is when you are getting them dressed so you achieve a good coverage. Ensure you apply fullness of cream - a thin layer will offer very tiny protection.

Throughout the day it is important to top up your sunscreen protection as it can wipe off and sweat can cut the protection. Ideally you should reapply the cream every two hours.

Keep covered up with t-shirts and sunhats. If you are on the beach, you can get Uv protective suits for your children, which are a great idea. If you haven't got these, keep them in their t-shirts, even if they are swimming in the sea.

Hats are considerable as they offer sun protection and keep temperatures down. Sunglasses that block Uv rays should also be worn: ones that wrap nearby the head are great for kids.

Keep babies and tots out of the sun. Spend in a sun tent or a Uv protection cover for your pram. Do not leave the baby in direct sunlight - move their pram/pushchair to a shady spot.

Choose a sunscreen with both Uva and Uvb protection. This will help safe from both kinds of damaging ultra violet light.

Keep hydrated: ensure you and your children take regular drinks of water.

Between approximately 10am and 3pm the sun is at its height and it is best to stay out of it during this time. However, if you are outdoors, find some shade and be extra vigilant about sun protection.

We hope these tips help to keep you and your house safe in the sun so you can enjoy a burn-free summer full of house fun!

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Stay Safe In The Sun!

How You Can Enjoy Your Trip To Thailand With Children

Although Thailand is not known for its children centred attractions, there are fullness of activities to request for retrial to families with young children either on the beach or away from the coast. Thai's are also very welcoming to young children. So traveling with children to Thailand is not a qoute at all.

The two most familiar beach resorts in Thailand that are labelled family-friendly are the islands of Koh Samui and Ko Lanta. Both islands have fullness to offer for families with children. There are on the beach accommodations ready for both mid-range and upper range budgets. There are also many open air beachfront restaurants to dine in while your kids can play in the sand within your sight. There are also many day trip activities you can take up from elephant riding to snorkelling.

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The island of Phuket is also another favorite family destination. However the beachfront accommodations are considered premium. Alternatively, there also many other less familiar beach resorts that your older kids can enjoy. The activities consist of kayaking, rock climbing and also the many dive centres that would teach the Padi children's Scuba courses. For eight years old, they can enroll the Bubblemaker program. The scrutinize Scuba diving day is for whatever over 10 years old. Thailand is blessed with many national parks and their waterfalls and caves are good day trip activities with River rafting and elephant riding.

The capital of Thailand Bangkok and Pattaya also has many child friendly theme parks for families. If you are in Thailand in January, your children to enjoy the free entertainment and activities organized all over the country on the national children's Day also known as Wan Dek. This is held on the second Saturday of January and kids will be able to get free entry to the zoos and free rides on social transport.

Here are a few things you should note for parents. Many of the more high-priced hotels will allow one or two under 12 years old to share their parent's room for free if no extra bedding is required. However, it is potential to squeeze two adults and two children into a duplicate room in most allocation or midrange hotels. Many hotels also furnish babysitting services.

Most museums or converyance fellowships do not offer any allowance in prices for children. According to the State Railway, a child that is age 3 to 12 years old can qualify for half price only if under 150 cm tall. For domestic flights, most airlines payment 10% of the full fare for children under two years old and 50% for children under 12 years old.

You will be able to buy disposable diapers undoubtedly at most convenience stores, pharmacies and supermarkets in the major resorts and towns. For your convenience, reconsider bringing a changing mat for your baby as there are few social toilets in Thailand. You will be able to find many international brands of powdered milk in Thailand.

You should also bring along or buy a mosquito net and a sun tent. You should also reconsider packing along a bottle of a favorite spread for the toast just in case. Be careful with the unwashed fruits and salads and any other dishes that have been left uncovered for a long time.

Dogs can be a nuisance in Thailand. There are cases of rabies. So you should keep your kids away from animals such as dogs or monkeys. If necessary, get a rabies shot before the trip.

How You Can Enjoy Your Trip To Thailand With Children

family Bonding

What Is This Thing Called family bonding?

Family bonding or just plain family fun. I have many rather vivid memories of all the places my family would go when school was out and we kids were raring to go for the summer. That was from the Atlantic Coast to the great Western Pacific Coast. The Adirondack mountains where we heard the story of Rip Van Winkle who it is said slept for twenty-five years. And how we watched the fire flies glow at night. There was a Red Top from Round Top as Dad used to say. That was a Rooster that we notion was a Hen. We left him there with the family whose farm we were at for the summer. They promised to send us any eggs that might be forth coming. And by then we still didn't know the difference. Although the folks might have caught on by then. Then to the Beach for someone else summer, where I made locker boy and even elevator operator for one of the hotels near by. My sister made baby sitter for a local family there. All the young girls were doing that at that time. It was and still is called 'baby-sitting'. Whose to take care of the baby while husband and I go out for a well needed night out.

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Then the scene shifts to the great Southwest. Where we ended up in San Diego and The beautiful Yosemite Valley which was not that far away for the summer. Camp Cook as I remember it. That was one of the greatest. In fact after marrying in this great State, my wife and I made Yosemite our summer two-week vacation treat. We stayed in one of those tent cabins. We did the trails and the hikes and wondered at the beautiful water falls. Bridal Veil and so forth. And the great rock formations like El Capitan and all the others. And the fire falls that were presented at night. And there were campfire sing alongs at night put on by the Cook enterprise on a small stage in the area. And then the drive home and back to work although now we had something to talk about and remember in the most nostalgic way. Like comparing vacations when we got back.

That was with our fellow employees. Well where did you guys go and okay how about you folks. Did you honestly get away some where good. And work was not that so bad anymore. Yes summer family fun for us was the greatest time of the year. And that is something of what we mean when we say 'family bonding'. Something we would plan ahead and look transmit to for all of the year. Like on the way home. Let's come again next year, we've had such a good time here. And we would all agree. That sounds great for us all.

So to honestly get away somewhere good is truly a good bit of family bonding in the good old U.S.A Now let's see did I leave anyone out here. Was there some place else I should have mentioned. Did we ever stay home and do something unusual for vacation time. Yes I think there was at least one time when Dad couldn't make it away. And mum and Sister and I would get on the bus to Long Beach or That famous Jones beach with the whitest beach sand we have ever seen. Now that was Atlantic Coast if I remember correctly. Rarely did we ever have to go far to plan for the summer. There were tour books and guides a fullness where ever we would go. So I truly hope that your next family bonding or fun is a memorable one for you and all your family. As you must know family bonding is one of the most important features of our American family.

family Bonding

Fun Indoor Children's Activities while Cold Weather

Winter time can be a time of boredom and couch potato syndrome if you do not have activities to keep your house occupied and engaged. Just because the weather covering is frightful, does not mean the climate inside has to be also. Here are some activities that can be done, some with a minute more exertion than others, but all with the ability to turn a cold day covering into a warm day inside.

One thing that is so fun with younger children is to have an indoor beach party. You can either use a small blow up or plastic pool you may have around, or even the bath tub if you don't have a pool. If you pick to use the pool, you may want to cover your floor with a tarp or towels to soak up some of the splashing water. You can set up one room to look like a beach with the pool filled with warm water, towels, beach chairs, water toys, music, etc. If you had some, you could even use the Aqua Sand type material to play and build sand castles, etc. You could add in a small slide to the pool to make things even more fun. Everybody can wear their swimsuit and sunglasses. You may need to turn the heat up a bit if they are chilly when wet.

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Another operation is to have a minute size lunch. You can prepare the place to sit by using a child's table and chairs, small picnic type table or even the floor. You can fix anything from baby carrot sticks, corn dog nuggets, teeny weenies, small cubes of cheese, bite size sandwiches, etc. It is fun to eat with toothpicks, if your children are old sufficient for that, or just your hands or child's silverware. Use small plates and cups. It is of course fun when Dad and Mom eat with the kids, because it is fun for the kids to see especially Dad eating with such small utensils and small bites.

If the weather is so bad you cannot get out, or you have a slightly sick one at home, try setting up a McDonald's or fast-food-type play place in your home. You can use play tool you might have like a small slide, plastic balls filling a small pool or tub, tunnels, rocking horse, toys and balls. Set up a play place like in a bistro and let the kids play. You could use sheets and clothespins to make tunnels and tents as well. Your meal could consist of hamburgers and fries, chicken nuggets or anything they would regularly get at the restaurant.

One more indoor winter operation that can be done alone or in conjunction with the beach party is a hot dog stand. If you have a play kitchen, this works well, if not then just set up a small table for the stand. You can cook the hot dogs for the children and they can set up their stand along with ketchup, mustard, relish, cheese, onions, anything they want on their hot dogs. They can set it all up and then wait on the "customers" that come to their stand. Use sturdy paper plates or plastic plates that they can handle. They could also offer chips, veggies and drinks. It is fun to get them complex in the planning and setting up of the stand and then serving others. Don't forget the clean up!

Fun Indoor Children's Activities while Cold Weather

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Kidco Peapod Plus trip Bed impart

The Kidco Peapod Plus trip Bed is a fabulous solution for all families who have young children, yet still like to get out and about. This portable baby and toddler trip bed has been designed with both kids and parents in mind. There is no longer any requirement to lug nearby the old pack and play type portable cribs and all of the extra bedding needed to set them up. The Peapod Plus trip Bed solves the question of having to take half of your house with you every time you go out.

As a mom, I know the hassles of packing all for babies when you have to leave the house. You have to remember all for a start. There's the pram, the toys, the food and of course the portable cot. What is so great about the Peapod Plus trip bed is that it is one easy to carry holder that all the bedding is already folded up inside.

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Then the next stressful thing is when your baby or toddler just will not sleep when they are out. This often occurs either you are at a well known friend's home, or you could be on the other side of the world in a hotel. Lack of sleep is a mood destroyer for everybody involved.

The Peapod Plus allows you to set it up fast and unquestionably at home. Your child can play in it, and you can let them sleep in it as often as required to help them get used to their extra bed. Many traveling parents rave about the Peapod bed being such an foremost aspect in keeping their child's sleep patterns maintained whilst they have been on full, holidays.

The other great thing is how often have you got to a hotel, and they either don't have a cot available or have forgotten to put it in your room. Just unpack your Peapod bed and you know your child will be safe and comfortable in a bed that they know.

You don't just have to use the Peapod in your travels either. Lots of parents set it up and let their baby or toddler play in whilst they are establishment meals. Kids love having their own microscopic tent that they can call their own.

The fact that it can be used indoors and outdoors is other great plus. All of the Peapod beds have Uv protection. If you are going to the beach or for a picnic, and want to make sure they sleep or play in a safe and contained area, then the Peapod Plus is perfect.

The Peapod Plus is a great trip bed. This portable bed is a bit bigger than the standard Kidco Peapod portable trip bed. What this means is that you can continue using it until your child reaches the age of 6, depending on how big they grow of course. Now that is value for money in any book.

If you are considering a family holiday, or you just like to go out as a family every now and then, a Peapod Plus trip bed is a unquestionably handy portable bed for the younger members of your family. It takes the stress out of having to think about where your child can sleep or play safely. Parents are raving about how great the Peapod Plus is, and many state in their reviews that once they got their Peapod, the portable crib never came out again.

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Sun safety For Summer Fun With Infants

Summertime is a fun time for the whole family. Nursing mothers need to have fun too. We can not stay at home while the rest of the family goes to the beach and pool. There are sure precautions we need to take in order to keep our newborns safe from the Uv rays of the sun and keep ourselves protected and discreet while nursing in the sun and in public.

For one, we need to put in order for where we are going. If we are going to the beach with no sun protection built in, we need to take an umbrella and perhaps a pop up tent as well. Depending on how old your nursing infant is, you want to pick a tent that is appropriate. Newborns can sleep the beach day away in a small pop up tent that closes on all sides with screening and made with Uv protective fabric. These tents are small and made by Fisher Price or similar companies. Older infants that are mobile need a half tent so they can see their environment and have some room to roll around during naps.

Beach Tent For Babies

If you put down a large blanket and use the umbrella and tent you have now created a playing oasis for your baby and you have a quiet underground area to nurse as well. Wear your nursing swimwear or a nursing tank top and you will be all set for the day.

If you are going to the community swimming pool, you can still wear your nursing clothing, but they may have umbrellas already installed so that would eliminate needing to take along that extra gear. You may still want to take some Uv clothing or towels, hats or small tent depending on the age of your baby.

You want to make sure you take a few extra sets of clothes, swimsuits, and dry towels to help avoid any skin irritations from sitting in wet clothing. Babies have very sensitive skin and need some extra precautions. At the beach it is impossible to avoid getting sand in the diaper area and that too could cause irritation so just be aware of that and convert as often as possible.

The most foremost thing to remember is the sun screen. Put it on generously and often. Make sure to test a small spot on your infant's leg the day before to assure that he is not allergic to that single product. You will want to use something specifically for babies in a Spf of 50 or 70 or higher. There are also sticks available for easy application on the face. Most experts will say to apply at least every two hours even if it is waterproof.

Having fun in the sun is a must do for the whole family as long as we all know how to do it safely!

Sun safety For Summer Fun With Infants

Baby-Boomers come to be Super-Boomers As They Head Off To Greener Pastures

Baby-boomers nearing resignation in the next 15 years, are questioning either there's not a smarter way to live. Just working longer or harder gets old; and it makes us feel old. Maybe it's time to re-group; or is it re-think. And a lot of us are excited about production a turn -- a big lifestyle change; something more fascinating than downsizing and 2nd jobs at Safeway to pay for curative benefits and the tiresome high-cost of living.

Would I, personally, be finding abroad were it not for all the incentives to do so? If I could live in the States and afford to do as much traveling as I wanted, would I still be getting 'sandy sandals'? Well, yes, I would -- because it's the adventure and the interaction with other cultures that keeps me young.

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I will perhaps all the time have a home base in the States -- cause that's where the grandkids are. But I can't deny the logic of living abroad at least part of the year just because it just makes so much sense health-wise to "follow the sun" in the Winter. The key word here is 'choice'. And by 'choice' I don't mean which Rv parking lot to live in. What I mean is, I don't want to be a grandparent setting an example of living a 'settled for' lifestyle either in a castle or a tent (although none of those choices are necessarily boring).

My head's been turned by the capability of the habitancy conveniently living abroad. Just last week Eileen Dunn, past Director of Women's Programs at Green River College in Washington State, and presently living in South Korea, said, "I'm finding at Panama or Ecuador as two important countries for resignation with lots of incentives for retirees."

For that reason, I see a wave of baby-boomers taking a fresh look at the lifestyles of expats -- the communities, the curative services, the expat and location demographics -- the sun and the beach. I predict that soon you're going to see a wave of American retirees that used to head off to Arizona, Texas, California, or South Florida -- heading instead added South and over the border.

"Well, you know it's fascinating that you say that," agreed Martin Frankel, founder of expat-connection.com, "because I've been telling my parents for 4-5 months, that I think the next big wave of expats to move to Argentina are going to be retirees from the U.S.

Frankel left an menagerial occupation about a year and a half ago, as Marketing boss for FedEx in New York, and moved to Argentina. He's quite happy there and prides himself on creating the only Argentine expat group to actively break down the barriers that exist between local and expat communities.

Frankel also negotiated group guarnatee rates with a important Argentine guarnatee provider to facilitate expats' capability to enjoy capability and total health care at highly fascinating rates!

That's what leaders do -- they lead by example and make decisions that advantage others as well as themselves. Those are the expats you want to get to know, as they can give the habitancy who effect in their paths a 'leg up' on a fresh start. And I'm proud to have them as contributing members to Traveling4Health.

Baby-Boomers come to be Super-Boomers As They Head Off To Greener Pastures

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Prince Edward Island Travelers Tips

Travel to a extra island and enjoy the sandy beaches, green fields, clean air, rolling hills with their red soil and a tranquility that is hard to find anywhere else. Does this sound like the vacation paradise you are looking for? You can de facto find all of this on a small Island in the Atlantic ocean off the east coast of Canada. This island paradise is P.E.I. (Prince Edward Island).

There are numerous reasons for visiting this island paradise nestled in the waves of the Atlantic ocean. Let's look at 5 of the things that you can enjoy.

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Sight Seeing:

Traveling straight through the island country-side looking the rolling red hills and lush green fields or driving along the shore looking the sea gulls swooping over the waves is a most peaceful and rewarding experience. There are an unusually large whole of roads on P.E.I. And they will let you find secluded areas that only a few travelers have found. The local folk know where these places are and sometimes, if you ask politely, you will be told where to find a particular gem. Being one of the local folk, I enjoy when person says, "This is a free day for us to do some sightseeing, where can I go today that few visitors have traveled?". How about a sandy beach that is a mile long where you may sometimes encounter a few population or how about looking a beach that has "singing sand"?

Dining:

Now here is something I can get my teeth into. With a world recognized Culinary teaching factory placed on P.E.I., some of the best chefs are working here to present decadent delights second to none. There are numerous places to dine to your hearts content. You can find fine dining or you can determine for a helping of fish and chips made from freshly caught fish or a hamburger made from fresh hamburger. The local agricultural business makes the use of fresh produce in our cooking a natural.

Entertainment:

The live theater entertainment scene is alive and very well on P.E.I. From the Confederation town of the arts to numerous small local theaters in society halls straight through out the island. Music plays a large part in the entertainment on P.E.I. And there are numerous events where any whole of bands can be heard. This ranges from outdoor events with celebrity bands and musical groups to local bands playing in one of the local pubs. If karaoke is your option then there are numerous places with this type of entertainment. There just isn't any presume to be bored.

Recreation:

Golf is probably the whole one recreational activity on P.E.I. The climatic conditions here allow for the building of some of the best greens and fairways you will find. Find a good turf technician, give them some relaxation to work and you will be shocked at what they can originate and more importantly sound in pristine health for all of us to enjoy.

There are numerous tennis courts in the area, with separate surfaces, if you wish to enjoy this form of activity.

Walking is an activity that has come to be very favorite and with both indoor and outdoor facilities on P.E.I. We have a whole of venues. The building of boardwalks in many communities has given this activity a lot of variety. The miles and miles of beaches cannot be ruled out when one wants to enjoy a brisk walk.

Accommodations:

Travelers to P.E.I. Will find something to suit their fancy when it comes to accommodations. Either you prefer a high class hotel or a tent in a campground somewhere. You will find clean convenient accommodations for the whole family. You may want to stay close to a recreational area or find a remote or romantic hideaway. P.E.I. Will be able to accommodate you.

Many visitors find pleasure in staying in a cottage close to one of the beaches. Travelers tell us that something about the salt air makes us sleep "like a baby" or maybe the activities of the day made us a bit more tired, anyone the reason, the air is fresh and clean.

Prince Edward Island Travelers Tips

Help! Holidays while Pregnancy?

It is that time of year again and every girl wants to look great on holiday, whether that is at home or abroad. Not everybody feels as safe bet as they should. Wearing swimwear often makes us feel uncomfortable and many women select to have a favorable cover up to give them added confidence. This can be more true when you are pregnant. You want to celebrate your curves at this special time as well as stay cool comfortable and relaxed.

Here are some tips to help you feel great on holiday, whether you are walking, on the beach or in the pool.

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What kind of holiday are you going on? There is a big variation in the middle of a sightseeing and beach holidays, means a dissimilar wardrobe. For sightseeing holidays, loose adjustable linen trousers or skirts can help keep you cool and can be placed under the bump or grow with your bump. Cool cotton tops that are fitted but not tight are also flattering. Avoid buying summer dresses that are not fitted and just strengthen to fit your bump. These can be authentically unflattering and look like you are wearing a tent.

Beach holidays require well fitting maternity swimwear and beach cover.
Maternity swimwear is a good speculation every time as it will be more flattering to your new shape as well as give you the reserve that you need. A good cover-up needs to flatter your curves as well as be cool and comfortable. Also try to find fabrics that dry speedily and do not crease, that way you are all the time sure of feeling great.

Whatever type of clothing you need don't underestimate how jewellery and accessories can authentically make an outfit. Maternity clothes can be expensive, try investing in a few simple pieces that can be worn for a variety of occasions and fit authentically well, accessories can then dress up or down the pieces you select and can still be worn after your baby is born.

Help! Holidays while Pregnancy?

Wrap Maternity Dress

One of the most tried and true fashion trends is a wrap dress. Wrap dresses are flattering on every body style because they can be dressed up or dressed down, they look great for work or casual get-togethers, and they are incredibly comfortable as well as versatile. So, it is no wonder that a wrap dress is also a amazing selection to add to your maternity wardrobe. A wrap maternity dress in fact expands your maternity wardrobe giving you something to wear to the office, out to dinner, and for casual weekend attire. Paired with a great pair of heals and amazing accessories, a classic wrap maternity dress looks sophisticated adequate to wear to any firm style event or meeting. Paired with sandals and minimal accessories this look can take you straight through any casual weekend. Maternity wrap dresses have even been seen on the beach as a chic swim suit cover.

A wrap dress is wrapped on one side of the body. Normally, a wrap dress fits tightly at the top and gently begins to taper at the waist. This dress is tight just underneath the breasts and tapers from there to adapt a growing tummy. It is tied similarly to how you would tie a bathrobe. This creates a v-neck, which is very form flattering for pregnant woman. It draws the attentiveness to some of your best assets. One great thing is that it can be tied tightly or loosely, so it can grow with you while your pregnancy.

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A wrap maternity dress looks great on all shapes, but it is especially flattering on women who have a pear shape (larger on the bottom and smaller on the top). It accentuates the smallest part of your form and the subtle tapering masks a larger hip or bottom area. Make sure you select a form skimming size so you don't look like you are wearing a tent. It is also a flattering look to buy a maternity wrap dress with a limited bit of stretch to hug your baby bump, but not too tightly.

In early stages of your pregnancy, a wrap maternity dress can be paired with a great belt to emphasize the smallest part of your figure. When you grow out of the belt, plainly take off it and wear the dress alone. You can also accentuate your wrap dress with a camisole underneath for added interest or coverage if the v-neck is too low for you to feel comfortable. If you select a faux wrap maternity dress you can usually avoid the neckline from creeping down. A faux wrap dress is sewn underneath, and the two sides of the dress don't come apart.

With so much versatility, you can come up with a hundred reasons to buy a wrap maternity dress. They are stylish and sensible and it is hard to build a great wardrobe without one. Buy multiple dresses in distinct patterns, fabrics and colors to improve your maternity wardrobe and ensure you look stylish and put together throughout your whole pregnancy.

Wrap Maternity Dress

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Central Australia: The Western MacDonnell Ranges

The ancient landscape of Western MacDonnell Ranges stretch west from the Central Australian outback town of Alice Springs for over 200 kilometres, forming a rugged red barrier over the vast desert plains of Central Australia. The ranges hold a wealth of spectacular natural features and landscapes, all within an easy hour or two from Alice Springs by car.

The long parallel ridges of the Western MacDonnell Ranges rise up to 600 metres high above the valley floors, cut at quarterly intervals by deep gorges carved by ancient rivers such as the Finke and Hugh Rivers which stray south to empty into the shimmering red sands of the Simpson Desert. Although situated in an arid desert landscape, the Western MacDonnell Ranges are home to an extraordinary collection of unique flora and fauna, together with majestic ghost gums and rare relict palms left over from an age when Central Australia enjoyed a wetter tropical environment many thousands of years ago.

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The Western MacDonnells are home to a many very popular destinations which are all actually accessible by road from Alice Springs in the procedure of a day tour. These sites consist of Simpsons Gap, Standley Chasm, Ellery Creek, Serpentine Gorge, the Ochre Pits, Ormiston Gorge, Redbank Gorge, Glen Helen Gorge, Roma Gorge, Tnorala (Gosse Bluff) and Palm Valley.

Ellery Creek has gorgeous clear, deep waters suitable for swimming, but take care when diving in as the water can be very cold below the surface. On the opposite side of the Ellery Creek waterhole is a pristine white sandy beach from where it is inherent to added examine the gorge. There is also a pleasant walk from the Ellery Creek camp straight through higher terrain and back along creek bed to the main waterhole.

Ormiston Gorge is a spectacular sight and one of the Western MacDonnell's must-see destinations. The towering red rock walls of the gorge are accessible with an easy 1 kilometre walk to the gorge entrance, but there is also an exquisite 7 kilometre Ormiston Pound loop track which is well worth the effort during cooler weather or early morning. Serpentine Gorge has an easy 1km walking track from the car park to the gorge entrance. There is also an optional 600 metre track that ascends rugged cliffs to a guard gift exquisite views of the Western MacDonnells.

Glen Helen Gorge is placed on the ancient Finke River, reputedly the oldest river in the world that still follows its primary course. It is less than 1 kilometre to the lookout, and only slightly added to the rocks at the waterhole. The entrance to the gorge is behind the Glen Helen Homestead, now a comfortable outback hotel and cafeteria and a great spot to stop for a meal.

Camping facilities are exquisite throughout the Western MacDonnell Ranges, and particularly so at Redbank Gorge. There are two camp areas, the larger Woodlands area being well provisioned with shady camps and cooking facilities, each site having a shady sandy patch under the trees to pitch a tent in an otherwise rocky area. Redbank Gorge is close to Mt Sonder, one of the tallest mountains in Central Australia and the Northern Territory, and a favourite branch of famous aboriginal watercolour artist Albert Namatjira.

West of Redbank Gorge lies Roma Gorge, a great location to visit but overnight camping is not allowed. Access is along a sandy and sometimes rocky creekbed for 8 kilometres, so this is one of the few locations where a four-wheel-drive vehicle is advisable. Roma Gorge is home to an prominent site rich in high capability Aboriginal rock art. added west lies Tnorala (Gosse Bluff), a spectacular crater formed when a comet crashed to earth some 140 million years ago. Local indigenous Arrernte legend tells of a baby falling to earth from the heavens at this site during the Dreamtime.

Central Australia: The Western MacDonnell Ranges

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A Chilean Adventure on Horseback

Chile is a long thin country sandwiched between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean. On the plane from Santiago to Punta Arenas I looked out of the window for most of the journey marvelling at the landscape below. I promptly recognised the peaks of the Torres, which I would soon be seeing at closer quarters.

Punta Arenas is the southern most town in Chile and like Ushuaia, its counterpart in Argentina, it is the main departure point for ships cruising to the Antarctic Peninsula. I met Alex, the Equitour Worldwide Riding Holidays agent in Chile and the rest of the small group of riders, in a comfortable guesthouse on Bernardo O'Higgins Avenue.

Beach Tent For Babies

Early the next morning I went for a walk along the edge of the shore and could practically feel the chill in the air from the frozen continent. But I wasn't going cruising. Two hundred miles north in the wilds of Patagonia; a horse was waiting for me.

After morning meal we put all our bags in the waiting minibus and began our journey north across the desolate pampas of Southern Chile. We stopped in Puerto Natales, a pioneer town set on the edge of a lake. There was a charming capability about the single storey houses constructed out of wood and brightly painted corrugated iron.
There were a few traveler shops and outdoor operation centres. We had our lunch in an Internet café, which was our last occasion to make feel with the outside world for once in the Park; movable phones are out of range.

We met our trip leader, a young American girl called Magan, and our cook, Jorge and continued our journey north for other two hours. The landscape got hillier and the road got bumpier until we arrived at our next destination and start of our adventure, a gorgeous estancia called Mirador del Paine. Estancias are working ranches and the Mirador was set between hills and a lake with views of the mountains in the distance. There were outbuildings dotted nearby and a very comfortable room block where we would spend one night. There were horses anywhere grazing nearby the buildings unrestricted by fences or barriers. That evening I had a superb meal of salmon steak and salad and my first taste of the local and very potent aperitif Pisco Sour.

The next morning I dressed for riding and packed my saddlebags with the bare essentials including full waterproofs and a lunch box. Even though it was summer in Chile, weather in the mountains is very unpredictable so we had to be ready for whatever and everything. I met the local horseman or baquianos. Victor and Mirko, who would be the guides on the trip. We were taken to the horses and I was asked what sort of horse would I like. 'A quiet kind one' I said nervously, and I was given Loreto, a 15.3.bay mare. Soon I had my foot in the strange leather cup that is a Chilean stirrup and was up in the saddle ready for action. I rode along the track, which rose gradually into the hills and then through trees when suddenly the horse in front of me disappeared. Before I could even think about it, Loreto took me down into a steep gully, briefly stopped for a drink in the stream at the lowest and climbed niftily up the other side. This was my first feel of riding in this sort of terrain but by lunchtime I had gone down into so many gullies that I was quite used to it.

We stopped for lunch high up on a hill above Laguna del Toro. It was a gorgeous spot with mountains in the length and a deep blue lake down below.

We continued by descending on a very steep track and then traversing across a scree slope on a very narrow path. There was a very long drop on one side and places where the path had slipped away but by now I realised that Loreto and the other horses were so surefooted and safe that I needn't worry. Loreto only walked when she was negotiating boulders. Her general pace was a little jogging trot, which I learnt to sit to quite comfortably. When we arrived at the lowest of the mountain, Magan shouted ' fancy going a bit faster?' and we had the longest and most exhilarating gallop I have every experienced across the endless pampas. That night we stayed for the first of two nights in wooden cabins near a river and a cordial little cat came into my room and seemed very happy to sleep on my bed.

Over the next concentrate of days, we explored the area in a big circular route, climbing mountains on boulder-strewn paths, crossing rivers and enjoying lots of long gallops.

Early morning on the next stage of our journey, we left the horses in a corral near the National Park information Centre and we went on a boat trip to the notable Glacier Gray and drank Pisco Sours near the wall of blue ice.

We returned to the corral and from here, we started on an eight-hour trek across the mountains to our next resting place. The sight of the Torres covered in snow, towering over clear blue lakes, was breathtaking. The ride took us through antique beech forests filled with white margarita daisies, condors flew overhead and herds of guanaco scattered across the hills as we approached. Each vista was epic and the sight of the sun's rays breaking through the clouds took on practically biblical proportions. The journey took longer than it should because we kept stopping to take photographs.

It was practically dark when we reached Laguna Azul bivouac and the hot meal waiting for us in the Quincho or public kitchen, was very welcome. I sat by the open fire and drank mate, the local herbal beverage, with the Mirko and Victor, before retiring to my tent.

The next day we set off with all the packhorses fully loaded and accompanied by extra Baquianos, for this time we were camping in the wild.

Baquianos are the local horse guides and are unique to the National Park. They wear very captivating costume consisting of baggy trousers tucked into high leather boots, a long sleeve shirt, woollen jumper and beret. nearby their waist they wear a wide leather belt tooled and decorated with old Chilean coins. These belts are very prized as the men make them while the long winter months when the park is inaccessible. The also make all the tack for the horses in the same style.

The journey to Lake Cimono was the highlight of the whole trip for me. We encountered every sort of terrain and every kind of weather. At one point I was wearing full waterproofs as Loreto and I battled through the wind and the rain. We stopped for lunch near the ruins of an old house that had been destroyed by a storm years ago. There were still the remains of its broad fruit organery and we ate handfuls of ripe gooseberries. The packhorses joined us and then went ahead to make camp. We rode through the very gorgeous and remote Dickson Valley until we reached the black shores of Lake Cimono.

We pitched our tents in a very high wind and while Jorge was preparing dinner, we drank Pisco Sours on the beach and watched the sun set behind the mountains.
The mess tent was very cramped with all of us sitting nearby the table but we had great fun after supper practising drinking wine from the leather flasks that the baquianos use. Needless to say I managed to get more red wine down my sweater than in my mouth.

The next day we had a short trip to a Refugio on an island. We left the horses tethered under the trees and then had to shout for the boatmen to bring the boat across. This was not easy as the sound of the wind and the sound of the gushing river drowned out our cries. We waved our scarves in the air and screamed as loud as we could until the men heard us. A Refugio is a hostel where you can stay the night and due to its remoteness, most people staying there were hikers. I also noticed that there were lots of very handsome Chilean guides.

On our way back to the camp, Victor was stopped by a concentrate of mountain park rangers whose horses needed shoeing. I watched as Victor pared the hoof down with his hunting knife and a stick of wood and then apply the shoes with a pair of pliers and hammer. He did it all so quickly and deftly.

We left our bivouac the following morning and rode back to Lake Azul where a minibus was waiting to converyance us to our next stopover. The men would take our horses along with the packhorses and herd them up into the mountains to an Estancia. Three of us decided we wanted to ride with the men and in an instant we were off galloping through trees, across rivers and up steep mountain sides. It was the most thrilling ride I had ever experienced.

We stayed at the Estancia La Tercera for two nights. It was on a high plateau with very clear views of the Torres in the distance. The horses were let loose and roamed the plains. The room was very comfortable with soft beds and a little cat that slept with me mine both nights. This was becoming a base occurrence. It was here that we met Boris, a very handsome cowboy, who spoke no English but it didn't genuinely matter. We just smiled a lot. He had a very diplomatic way with horses and was an excellent rider. I think that Magan liked him a lot.

When we left La Tercera it was very sad, as we knew there was only one long day of riding and then it would all be over. The route took us onto the main road into the National Park. We stopped to look back at the Torres one more time and then continued down the dusty road back into civilisation.

I have very special memories of this trip but a spectacular, thing happened after it.

Magan and Boris got together and now live in the Usa and have a baby daughter.

If you want to book this holiday call the Louise on 0800 043 7942 or email on louise@equitour.co.uk and the web address is http://www.equitour.co.uk

A Chilean Adventure on Horseback

Vacation Home Rental Vs Hotel Room - The choice is Yours

As I look back at vacations in the past, I now find it hard to believe that year after year, my vacations were spent with my three daughters in a 12 x 20 room. The five of us would share two queen beds. The kids would argue, not only about what bed they would sleep in, but in what order they would lie in the bed. The best places, were, of course, the sides of the bed. The worst was the middle. Commonly the youngest got the middle. On day one of the vacation, they didn't know what they were signing up for by sleeping in the middle. But, by morning, the baby of the group made it well known that they weren't going to be sleeping in that spot the next night of the vacation! So every night became a battle of who was going to get the middle. Then there was the television set. Smack in the middle of the 12 x 20 room was the bone of contention! There were arguments over who was going to watch what. My husband and I wanted to watch Cnn to catch up on all the news of the day, the limited one wanted to watch Barney and the older girls wanted to watch their shows. Some nights on our vacation, we would solve the arguing by just turning the set off. No one got to watch anything!

Shower time! One bathroom for five people! It was beginning to sound a lot like home . . . Far from a vacation. They would find things to argue about with the bathroom, such as who used up all of the towels , who used up the limited samples of shampoo and conditioner, and of course, who forgot to flush the toilet. Yes, as I think back about our vacations in the "room," it was clear to me that our camping trips in a 8 x 8 tent were far more fun! We would listen to the night noises, see shadows on the tent, get cozy with each other just to keep warm. I am not sure if the Hilton's, or the Ramada's or the Motel Six's were responsible, but person put the idea in our heads that fun vacations began and ended in the hotel room. Not.

Beach Tent For Babies

I had came up to the St. Louis area to be close to one of my four daughters in 2005. In 2007, I had to make a choice about selling my Florida home or holding it. I indeed didn't want to sell. I love Florida! But times were getting tough and the housing market was getting even tougher--especially in Florida! My youngest was in high school and didn't want to move back until she graduated. I had tried to rent by the year and it ended up to be a big disaster. I still don't know exactly where the idea came from, but it came! "Rent the home as a vacation rental." It indeed couldn't hurt to try. I am now going into my second year renting my Daytona Beach area home as a vacation rental and I can truly say that from this sense renting to others, my hotel days are over. I will use the hotel stay for those one night stays while traveling. I have learned a lot from renting my own home to others. I now know that when I want to go back to Reno someday, I will look on beloved vacation home rental web sites to find my perfect vacation home rental. The sites are endless and of perfect quality. Somewhere in the pages of ready home rentals, you will find the perfect home away from home for you and your family. I am convinced that this is vacationing at its finest. Although, there are many reasons why, let me share some of the most prominent reasons why vacationing in someone's rental home might be one of the smartest moves you will ever make--at least when it comes to a vacation!

1. Space: imagine this: Your family of five staying in the 12 x 20 room vs staying in a 1600 quadrate foot home. Everyone has their own room, And their own television set. If you decide you want to make a birthday cake, you can! If you decide you want to play the piano in the parlor, you can! The "can's" are endless in a home setting. You are very limited in a hotel room.

2. Meals: The price of food has gone up dramatically, but not nearly as dramatic as the prices charged for ready meals. A family of five having supper at Red Lobster may run over 0.00 We have found that it doesn't matter if you share a meal. Somehow, it still seems to total over 0.00 You can cut a great deal of your vacation allocation by eating meals right at the vacation home rental. It doesn't always have to include slaving over a stove either. Bagels for breakfast, sandwiches at the beach, fast dinners in the evening would save a family a lot on your their food budget. decide on a few nice restaurants and treat your family to one or two nice bistro meals. This is possibly the most cost productive part of renting a vacation home rental. In our frantic world, think of the bonding that could take place while sharing a meal together on a pool deck in Florida.

3. Safety: Somehow, there is a feeling of security when you stay in an established neighborhood. My vacation rental is located in a cul-de-sac. It is quiet. The only population who come into the cul-de-sac are those that live there. For those that have children, it is safe to let the kids ride their bikes or take walks around the cul-de-sac. You can keep your eye on them.

4. Unique Features: Every homeowner that rents their home as a vacation rental has built into their home something I call "unique features." For instance, I feel that my unique highlight is the fish pond I built with my own two hands. It was hard work. It is not a model fish pond but one, nonetheless, which is home to goldfish and one which will bring satisfaction to the young and old alike. Some homes may have a jukebox, some an in ground pool with extra lazer lights . . . You never know what the uniqueness will be until you book because owners of vacation rentals can't disclose every capability about their home in an ad.

5. Overall Cost: Although you may think that a room for sounds like a steal of a deal, remember the space, the eating out savings, the security and the unique features when you decide: hotel room or vacation home rental. The choice is yours.

Vacation Home Rental Vs Hotel Room - The choice is Yours

Abo Sun security - Not Just For the Beach

The Abo sun shelters were originally designed as beach shelters. Lightweight, easy to set up bit of shade for the beach to replace bulky beach umbrellas and furnish a bit of privacy to get out of your wet bathing suit if needed. With screened windows for cross ventilation and it's portability it makes a great temporary beach oasis.

The same features that make it so great for the beach makes it a reach-for item in your outdoor gear no matter where you're headed. With some modification it is the ideal security for all sorts of activities. Since the security was originally designed for the beach and has built in sand pockets for "anchors" you will need to use something else for weight depending on where you take it. It will stand on it's own fine without the anchors, but needs some sort of weight to keep it garage in a wind or you'll be chasing it down the field!

Beach Tent For Babies

5 Places to Use Your Abo Sun Shelter:

1. Soccer tournaments or baseball or volleyball or any other outdoor sporting event held on a field. There's never any shade and you're going to be there all day. You âEur¨ need a place to watch the field from and for the players to take a break. Set up the shelter, pop your cooler inside for weight and to help keep it cool and you're set for a day of sports.
2. The Back Yard The kids will love having a "play tent" and you'll love how easy it is to put up and take down for an instant play house.
3. The Neighborhood Pool Spending the day at the pool with no shade? Bring your own for a place to hang out and read without glare or for a snooze out of the sun.
4. family Reunion Take it with you to the park/campsite/cabin wherever your family gets together. It will give you added transported shade to put where it's needed and a small bit of privacy to convert clothes, nurse the baby, to put the baby down for a nap.
5. Concert in the Park Did you get there early to wait in line for hours to get good seats to see Bare Naked Ladies? Don't want to wrestle with an umbrella? Don't want to die of sunstroke or turn into a lobster? The Abo Sun security is only 7 pounds and makes that wait a lot more comfortable. Sets up in a small and gives you room to hang out in the shade. Just roll it back up into it's carrier bag when the gates open and you'll be sunburn and sunstroke free and ready to listen to the music!

Abo Sun security - Not Just For the Beach

Uses of the Sun shelter Canopy

Sun rays can cause precious damage to our valuables, together with the ones we love. Investing in some type of sun shelter canopy to avoid overexposure can save time, money, and detriment to the body. Summer months need the most shelter since it is when exposure is greatest. A short list of uses for a sun shelter canopy would be:

1. Protecting the house
2. Car, Boat and other vehicle Protection
3. Special Events
4. Bedding security and Decor
5. Businesses

Beach Tent For Babies

Most people are aware of the importance of security from the sun. In addition to the use of sun screen, shelter from the sun comes in many varieties. Babies have the most delicate skin and therefore need to have a sun shelter canopy attachment for the stroller or carrier. Enjoying house barbecues, camping, and beach outings need canopies for long periods of exposure.

Shopping for a canopy could mean spending as diminutive as or as much as thousands for more sophisticated versions. If a more sophisticated version is desired for a Special event, sun shelter canopies are ready for rent as well. They are less high-priced to rent than tents.

Metal versions in the form of carports are ready for cars, boats and other vehicles. These types come in handy where a garage is not available. Not only do they protect vehicles from the sun, but snow and rain as well. Fabric awnings at the front door of businesses add decor to the entry way, but what is not so safe bet are the way in which walk-way overhangs serve as another form of shelter from the sun.

Uses of the Sun shelter Canopy

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Earth friendly Baby Shower Themes

Are you are certified environmentalist? Do you recycle things to make the most out of it? Do you plan to throw a shower but don't know what kind theme to have? Throw your inhibitions in the air and here are great baby shower themes that might suit you. Why not try a green-themed shower? All you need here is your creativity and imagination as well as the old materials needed. No needs to spend that much, just make use of your innovative skills and you are good to go.

Having a green-themed baby shower would give you the occasion to enlighten the time to come parents, their families and friends about the benefits of development organic and sustainable choices that could help promote the advocacy for a best environment. It can also be a symbolism of recovery mother Earth for the next babies or generations to come.

Beach Tent For Babies

As you have already decided your baby shower theme, start preparation for the invitations to be sent out to your guests. Your invitations for the shower can be printed on a recycled card stock (a paper thicker and more durable than a normal writing paper) and manufacture it with text, colors, and images that associate to your theme. You can also put an explanation why you have chosen this kind of baby shower theme. You can also comprise your encouragement for the guests to wear a shade of any earthly tone like green, white, and brown among others inside the invitation. Meanwhile, if you want to save paper, you can consider an e-invitation, which is probably the whole point of recovery paper.

For the gifts, you can propose to get rid of the primary gift wrapping methods that has a compound of plastic. Rather, propose an earth amiable wrapping materials like brown paper grocery and shopping bags and if ever they already have gift bags at home, they can reuse it. Someone else idea for the wrapping paper is to have your guests use an organic baby blanket or towel and tie it using a bow. On the other hand, gifts are just icing on the cake. It is still your accountability to provide your baby with what he or she needs. Don't rely too much on the gifts that would be given while the baby shower.

To give the venue an earthy atmosphere, you can select your backyard (if it is big enough to hold the crowd), beach or garden. Instead of the usual balloons and streamers, use natural and biodegradable materials to decorate the venue. Naturally, it would cost less. Your natural materials would comprise water, rock, bamboo, glass and candles for centerpieces. With just simple arrangements of plants and flowers would nothing else but reflect the chosen baby shower themes.

For Someone else gorgeous arrangements, use limes or green apples in vases. Place little table tents or some name settings around the shower with eco amiable facts on it. To do it, put the benefits of organic food and facts about the eco-friendly aspects of the shower.

Don't forget to thank your guests with recycled thank you notes after the shower. For your baby shower themes, it is all the time prominent to be creative and imaginative. Think of what you want or what your passion is then use it for your baby shower theme. Eco-friendly baby shower themes are not just creative and unique, but you are also taking a part in benefiting the environment even in as little celebration such as a baby shower.

Earth friendly Baby Shower Themes

Hawaii's Forgotten Moloka'i

Shortly after our coming on Moloka'i, I was wondering if we'd made a mistake.

Fresh from the lush and flowery ambiance of Honolulu, my wife and I found ourselves staring at parched red earth and desiccated shrubbery. It seemed like the middle of nowhere. Even the tiny airport reminded me of all those end-of-the-earth dinky island airstrips I had flown into in the South Pacific: roll-away stairs to get off the plane, a tiny, cinder-block terminal, and a consolidate of burly guys tossing baggage on a bench.

Beach Tent For Babies

"You're in the country now," a fellow passenger said to me as we disembarked the plane. He was an island local, returning home from Oahu, and he must have noticed my bemused expression. I was struck by how he said it, though; he was proud, not apologetic.

Okay, so it wasn't rainforest, palm trees, and white sandy beaches. We had decided we wanted to get away, indubitably get away. So despite its initially barren appearance, maybe Moloka'i was just the ticket.

At the moment, though, things didn't look promising. Our rental car had failed to show up at the airport. A call to the branch only resulted in an answering machine. So we were left sitting on the curb, wondering what to do. Finally, I got in touch with Ray Miller, the real estate agent from whom (over the internet) we'd rented an ocean front condo for the week.

"I'll come out and pick you up," he said. Fifteen minutes later, Ray was helping us load our luggage into his somewhat battered, blue pickup truck. He was tall, lanky, white-haired, soft-spoken, and remarkably sanguine. "Don't worry," he said as he drove, "you'll have a car."

A few minutes later, we were in his office in Kaunakakai. While Ray made a few phone calls to try and find our car, we went face to look around.

As far as cities go, Kaunakakai is fairly inauspicious. In fact, man with a strong arm could, quite literally, throw a rock from one end of the town to the other. We stood on a particular main street, lined with faded and dilapidated wooden structures. It was something out of the Old West; Dodge City with plumerias and coconuts. There wasn't even a traffic signal. In fact, as we were to contemplate later, there isn't a traffic signal on the entire island.

Accordingly, Kaunakakai is blessedly quiet, free of tourist hype and hubbub. At Ray's suggestion, we walked to the small shop over the street to buy groceries. No sooner had we terminated shopping than our rental car had appeared, along with a profusely apologetic agent who immediately gave us a discount over the already reasonable price.

All the brochures say Moloka'i is "The friendly Isle." It was becoming clear why. On this island where everybody knows just about everybody else, everybody is taken care of, even the tourists. Moloka'i is like family.

Moloka'i is the fifth largest of the Hawaiian Islands. Thirty-seven miles long and ten miles wide, it is bounded on the south by the longest white sand beach in Hawai'i and on the north by the highest sea cliffs in the world. These cliffs plunge a heart-stopping, nearly vertical 2000 feet, directly into the ocean.

Essentially, Moloka'i is what's left of two antique volcanoes, one at each end of the island. The middle of the island is a saddle formed by lava flows from both. The higher eastern end drains most of the ready moisture from the prevailing trade winds, development it the lushest and greenest part of the island. The central plain and the western end are dry; dry, in fact, to the point of being desert. Some areas are almost thoroughly devoid of foliage.

Because most of the island is arid and lacks the "South Pacific" allure of the other islands, the tourist manufactures has almost thoroughly neglected Moloka'i. The supervene is an island where life is slow, and where things have changed dinky since the 1920s. Less than 7000 habitancy live here, and of these over 50% (some say 70%) are of Hawaiian ancestry. It's the highest percentage of any island except Niihau (a conspiratorially owned island near Kaua'i), development Moloka'i the most Hawaiian of the Hawaiian Islands.

Longest, highest, most, friendliest--a lot of superlatives for a place the world seems to have forgotten. While we were there, you could have added another one: windiest.

"Not so good for diving today," Bill Kapuni said. "Maybe tomorrow. I'll call you in the morning."

I hung up and looked out the sliding glass door at the coconut palms and the wind-blown sea. Far away, a humpback whale flung itself out of the water, its long white pectoral fins flashing in the sun. We had come to snorkel and dive and lie on a beach. This was Hawaii, after all! Unfortunately, unusually strong trade winds were development these activities impossible. Bill Kapuni, the owner of the only scuba firm on the island, had scheduled our first dive for today, but he was implicated that the choppy seas would make diving unpleasant, if not unsafe.

I started to wonder if possibly I should take up golf. Our condo at Kaluakoi, a resort at the western end of the island, was a mere 100 feet from a rugged, rocky beach with pounding surf. But in the middle of us and the waves was a putting green. In fact, we were situated in the middle of the golf course, which for a non-golfer like myself is sort of like being the only vegetarian at a Texas barbecue. But I had to admit, as I watched the putters in front of me putter around, that there was a positive allure to the almost Zen-like attention they were using to place recalcitrant balls into dinky holes. possibly it was the excellent pursuance for a quiet island. At least I wouldn't have to worry about rain. In fact, it was hard to imagine a better spot for the sport.

In the end, though, we opted for an exploratory drive. We'd been told that the Kalaupapa overlook was worth a stop, so we headed toward the center of the island, then turned north toward the cliffs.

I inched as close to the edge as I could force my acrophobic body to go. Level down. I mean Level down. 2000 feet. Below, a dark, roiling ocean and crashing waves.

To say that these are the highest sea cliffs in the world is to say nothing at all. Those are just words designed to categorize and pigeonhole, but they cannot convey the sheer scale and majesty of these verdant walls of antique lava plunging vertically into a dark sea. The vista is stunning. In any place else in the world, this would be a tourist mecca, lined with souvenir shops hawking "Overlook" T-shirts and bustling with people. Here there were only a few habitancy besides us. No one said anything, stunned into silence by the spectacle. 'Worth a stop' indeed.

Jutting out improbably from the bottom of the cliffs was a tiny, flat peninsula called Makanalua. Formed by a rogue, late term lava flow, the final belch of a volcano before it died, Makanalua sits like the excellent natural penal colony. Isolated by steep and treacherous cliffs on one side and pounded by high surf on two others, a man marooned there would have a hard time escaping. Which is indubitably why the rulers of Hawaii decided to cast their lepers ashore there.

The anguish and suffering that must have taken place at this seemingly idyllic spot is almost unimaginable. habitancy with leprosy were torn from their homes and families and cast onto the shore-and often into the rough ocean offshore--to fend for themselves. Many drowned before touching the land. Those that survived lived a mean and Spartan existence. There was dinky food, no construction materials to speak of, and no medical care. Then, in 1873, a Belgian clergyman named Father Damien exiled himself to Makalanua to tend to the outcasts. Father Damien built shelters, cultivated food, tended to the sick, and essentially brought civilization to the leper colony called Kalaupapa. Damien himself fell victim to the scourge in 1889, but his patrimony remains. Today he is revered on Moloka'i almost as a saint.

From my vantage point high above, the old colony looked like paradise. The beaches were pristine and the land uncrowded. On the leeward, western side of the peninsula the ocean was calm and clear. It looked like excellent snorkeling. Unfortunately, Kalaupapa is off limits to all but thought about controlled tour groups. Leprosy is curable now, but a few habitancy still carry the scars and are permitted to live out their lives in privacy and seclusion.

We pulled ourselves away from the sheer precipice and followed a trail to the predominant Phallic Rock. The antique Hawaiians, like many antique peoples, were implicated with fertility. So when a plainly occurring rock somewhat resembled a phallus, it was only natural, apparently, to embellish. Hence, the Phallic Rock, tucked away in the trees at the top of the Moloka'i sea cliffs. Warning to women: Don't visit the rock unless you wish to get pregnant. Such is the legend.

Moloka'i is an island rife with history and legend. The hula was supposedly born here, at Mauna Loa on the western end. The antique Molokaians were also predominant for their prowess at warfare, and the island was a stronghold of superior kahuna (sorcerers). The great Kamehameha, the first to bring all the islands under one rule, used Moloka'i as a training ground for his soldiers. Some habitancy even believe the antique Hawaiians first made landfall at Halawa Valley, a mystical place at the eastern tip of Moloka'i.

"This is where you get your feet wet," Pilipo said, as he sat on a stone to remove his shoes. Only a few minutes into our cultural hike, we had come upon a rocky stream flowing straight through the rain forest.

Pilipo Solatorio was our guide into the historic Halawa valley, near the northeast tip of the island. Our goal was the predominant Moaula Falls. On the way we were to learn about the ways of Pilipo's ancestors, the antique Hawaiians who had lived in the valley for hundreds of years.

Once safely over the stream (from which one member of our group emerged somewhat damper than before), we followed Pilipo's positive lead straight through dense jungle and under overhanging vines. Halawa Valley was not always so overgrown with lush vegetation, Pilipo told us. At one time the entire valley was under cultivation. The first farmers had covered the valley floor with an intricate patchwork of terraces for growing taro, a staple in their diet. These terraces were held in place by thought about constructed rock walls, many of which still stand.

We stopped to look at one of them. It loomed out of the jungle like an antique black skeleton, tinted green by a skin of moss. The stones fit together like the pieces of a puzzle, solid and excellent after hundreds of years, even though the Hawaiians had no metal tools for carving.

A few steps further on, Pilipo reached up to pick a yellowish, mottled fruit from a broad-leafed tree. "This is called Noni fruit," he said. "The antique Hawaiians used it as a medicine, whether drinking the juice as a medicine for cancer or applying it topically for burns." He also told us about the kukui nut, taken from the "candle tree," so called because the Hawaiians would skewer several of the waxy, heart-shaped nuts on a sharp stick and light the top one. Since the nuts are very oily, they'd burn with a slow, steady flame and thereby contribute the Hawaiians with nighttime light.

Giant monkeypod trees, more than a hundred feet tall and adorned with ample bird's nest ferns, lined the trail. The air was rich with the damp, green, earthy smell of new and decaying foliage. Surinam cherries--tart, red, heart-shaped fruits the size of grapes--grew randomly, and every few minutes we'd come upon a patch of raspberry-like berries, sweet and ripe for plucking.

Soon we were far from any sign of civilization. The only sounds were the gurgling of the stream below us, the twittering of tropical birds, and the rustle of a dinky breeze straight through the thick foliage. It was easy to imagine that we were walking back in time, following the well worn path of antique Hawaiians to their inexpressive place in the jungle. Each new set of ruins we passed added to the feeling.

Pilipo held up his hand, stopping us in our tracks. "We are about to walk over a heiau," he said. Heiaus were sacred places to the Hawaiians, their temples. "In the antique days, one would be immediately put to death for crossing a heiau, but the stream has washed out the traditional trail." He pointed to the stream flowing below us in a ravine. "So we have no choice." But he made it clear we should be respectful of the ground we walked on.

A moment later we had gathered colse to a large pile of stones. It was a burial mound,  Pilipo explained, and we were standing in a old City of Refuge, one of several such places in old Hawai'i. Any lawbreaker, no matter the crime, could escape punishment if he or she could make it to a City of Refuge before capture. The fugitive was then required to remain in self-imposed exile for seven years. Criminals who tried to slip out of the City before their time was up faced immediate punishment-often death. But after seven years, the slate was wiped clean and the old lawbreaker was free to go back to home and family.

I looked at the moss-covered pile of rocks in front of me and wondered if the man buried before us had made it here only to die before his seven years were up.

We pressed forward, straight through luxuriant flowerbeds and over rocky streams. The sound of rushing water grew louder until, finally, we could see the falls. We entered a small clearing surrounded by steep, jungle-covered hills. A high, shimmering column of frenzied water cascaded from a sheer, volcanic cliff to plunge into a dark pool. We clambered over giant boulders to stand before the swirling water. Billowing mist dampened our faces and created rainbows in the air colse to us. A deep roar drowned out every sound.

Standing on a large boulder with the falls behind him and shouting to be heard, Pilipo cleared up a monumental cartographic misunderstanding. "This place is called Moaula Falls on all the maps," he said, "but that's a mistake. The foreign mapmakers got it wrong. In Hawaiian, moa means "chicken" and ula means "red," but "red chicken falls" makes no sense. There are no red chickens here! Instead, the true name is Mo'o'ula Falls, named after the red lizard god, Mo'o, who guards them."

Then Pilipo described how the Hawaiians would get ready for a swim by tossing in a thought about ready cluster of ti leaves and watching it closely. If it floated colse to and washed out of the pond, it was safe to swim. If it sank, the god of the pool was displeased and swimming could be dangerous.

"The god lives in that cave," Pilipo said, pointing to a dark hole in the side of the cliff. "Anyone care for a swim?"

Amazingly, two brave souls shed their shirts and jumped into the cold, dark water, tempting fate. But no giant red lizard appeared to chase them out.

Too soon we were heading back down the valley toward Pilipo's homestead and his newly planted taro fields, where we had begun our trek. As we retraced our steps straight through the jungle, I caught the sound of helicopters hovering overhead. These were tourists from colse to Maui, coming to see the predominant valley and "red chicken falls."

It must have been a beautiful sight from above, I thought. But they were looking it from a remove, and they were looking only the surface--a lush blanket of foliage in the middle of towering cliffs, and a spectacular waterfall cascading down. They couldn't hear the roar of the water, feel the mist on their faces, or feel the presence of the red lizard as he guarded his treasure. Neither could they see the antique ruins and feel the weight of centuries of tradition and wisdom.

They paid a lot more than we did, no doubt, but they got a whole lot less.

On the drive back to Kaunakakai, we detoured to Bill Kapuni's house to take him up on an earlier invitation. Since rough water and strong winds continued to make diving impossible, Bill had invited us over to look at his work. He came out his front door as soon as we pulled up.

Here's the thing about Bill Kapuni: He's a giant of a man, bigger than life, like a Hawaiian of legend, like King Kamehameha himself or the great Duke Kahanamoku. When Bill Kapuni walks into a scene, all eyes are on him. Yet, at the same time, he's gentle, quiet, and self-effacing. He speaks moderately and deliberately.

    "Pehea oi," he boomed from the porch. How are you?

    Pilipo nudged me and whispered, "Say 'Maikai no'."

    "Maikai no," I repeated. I'm fine.

    Bill flashed a giant smile. "You speak Hawaiian now, eh?"

He came down the stairs, grasped our hands in turn, and buried Pilipo in a bear hug. Then he invited us in, where we were greeted by his Irish-American wife, Kyno, a woman almost as tall as Bill and just as big-hearted. Even the one-year-old baby in Kyno's arms seemed enormous. My wife and I felt like Gullivers in Brobibdinagia.

Bill Kapuni is well enough known for his dive operation, but there is much more to him than scuba cylinders and regulators. When he was younger he rebuilt first-rate hot rods, all of which were extremely sought after by collectors. Now, in expanding to diving, he carves wood. So we were told. But when we walked into his living room it became clear that the truth is much more than that. To say Bill Kapuni carves wood is to wildly understate the truth. It's somewhat like saying Picasso dabbled with oil paints.

We stood amidst several excellent works of art in native wood. Among them were traditional Hawaiian ceremonial drums and outrigger canoe miniatures and replicas. But dwarfing all things else in the room, along with Kapuni, was a stunning piece he had recently completed. "This is a tribute," he told me with some quantum of pride, "to the skill and bravery of the antique Hawaiian voyagers."

It's a fitting one. The work consists of a life-sized navigating mast and two immense steering paddles, all hand-carved, all mounted vertically in the most imposing piece of woodcraft I've ever seen. Standing nearly ten feet tall, it shines in the quiet light of Bill's house, dominating the living room. Its level surfaces and excellent lines exude raw power.

Bill told us the work was coveted by the governor of Hawai'i, who planned to place it whether in the Governor's mansion or the Honolulu International Airport. He seemed entirely unconcerned with the renown this exposure could bring him. He even seemed slightly embarrassed by this compliment to his skill.

It was an attitude unusual for an terminated artist, yet entirely consistent with what I had come to comprehend about the habitancy of Moloka'i. I was continually astounded at how genuine they were. Bill, Kyno,  Pilipo, even Ray Miller-all were unpretentious, unhurried, and warmly welcoming to friends and strangers alike.

Later, after we had left Bill's house, Pilipo took us into his own home to show us his variety of antique artifacts and to talk about his efforts to keep the land and the culture of his people. We sat drinking lemonade and talking about history and family and life on Moloka'i, as evening fell and the world grew quiet.

"Moloka'i is not like any other island," Ray had said that first day as we drove into town.

Sitting there thoroughly comfortable in Pilipo's house, the truth of that statement became clear. Without our being aware of it, Moloka'i had worked its magic on us. Our big city angst had evaporated, allowing Moloka'i's charm and the friendliness of her habitancy to bring us back to earth--the real earth of flowers and sea and sky, of grass beneath our feet and the tangy sweet smell of plumeria in our nostrils. The island pace had caught us, a pace slower and more "island" than Oahu or Maui could ever be. It had brought us back to our senses.

Unfortunately, our time was almost up. So, the next night, our last night on the island, we decided to do a deal.

At ten Pm sharp we found ourselves in Kaunakakai, parked over from Imamura's normal store. The street was dark and deserted. We got out of the car, looked colse to to be sure we weren't being watched, then made our way down a darkened alley to the back of Kanemitsu's Bakery. The walls of the shadowed alley were lined with graffiti, and an empty beer bottle lay on the littered pavement. In the high windows at the back of the bakery, I could see ceiling fans turning, and the faint sound of tinny radio music wafted straight through the bug screens. A particular bare lightbulb shone over a blue, paint-chipped door.

I screwed up my courage and knocked on the door, timidly at first, then, when there was no answer, more forcefully. Footsteps approached from inside the building. I stood back and held my breath. The door opened instantly and I found myself facing a slim, dark-skinned man wearing flip-flop sandals, dark pants, a dark blue T-shirt, and a scowl. He was covered head to toe in flour.

    I swallowed.

     "Bread?" I asked tentatively.

    The man nodded. "What do you want?" His voice was gruff.

    "What do you got?" I asked, sticking to the script I'd been given.

    He grimaced and mumbled a few varieties. Most were undecipherable, but I already knew what to order.

    "Cinnamon butter," I said.

The door terminated in my face. A moment later, he reappeared with a loaf of hot bread in his hand. I handed him the money and we scuttled away. Others had begun to arrive, money in hand and hope on their faces. We sat in our car and devoured the hot, tasty bread.

Like the island of Moloka'i itself, it was better than we'd been told.

Hawaii's Forgotten Moloka'i