Mayakoba Golf Classic at Riviera Maya-Cancun - How to Volunteer?

From the sandy shores of the Mexican Caribbean, representing an entire nation and a beautiful culture, Mexico's Only PGA TOUR Event will once again capture the global spotlight in a way that only the highest level of golf competition can. To be held February 22-26, 2012, the Mayakoba Golf Classic will be conducted in Playa del Carmen at El Camaleon Golf Club at Mayakoba, just 40 minutes south of Cancun.


Volunteers are the backbone of every PGA TOUR event and it is their hard work that makes it all possible - and the Mayakoba Golf Classic will be no exception. While most of the United States rides out the dreary days of winter in late February, the PGA TOUR and Mayakoba will be soaking up the sun at the Mayakoba Golf Classic at Riviera Maya-Cancun. February's average high temperature in Playa del Carmen is 81 degrees, while the average low is 68.
We invite you to join us as part of the volunteer corps for the PGA TOUR's Only Official Event outside of the United States and Canada. Combine a tropical vacation and a chance to witness golf history!
Volunteers are needed for all tasks; most notably marshals, shuttle drivers, walking scorers, media services and much more. Being a volunteer is the only way to get "inside the ropes" and have the best view of this historic event. In addition to being a part of golf history, volunteers will receive a number of other benefits, including:
•Uniform provided at no charge
•Continental Breakfast and Box Lunch provided each day to those working
•Volunteer credentials will grant access to tournament grounds on days not scheduled to work

Mayakoba Golf Classic at Riviera Maya-Cancun - How to Volunteer?

Desde las blancas costas del Caribe Mexicano que representan una naci€n entera y una bella cultura, el Unico Evento de la PGA TOUR en Mexico acapara nuevamente la atencion del mundo entero como solo un evento de golf lo puede hacer. Mayakoba Golf Classic se llevara acabo del 22 al 26 de febrero 2012 en el Campo de Golf El Camaleon en Playa del Carmen a solo 40 minutos al sur de Cancun.

Los voluntarios y su trabajo son parte integral de todos los eventos de la PGA TOUR y Mayakoba Golf Classic no es la excepci€n. En Febrero la gran parte de los Estados Unidos estara sufriendo del frio, mientras que la PGA TOUR y Mayakoba disfrutan de una semana de sol en el Mayakoba Golf Classic en Riviera Maya-Cancún. La temperatura promedio a finales de Febrero en Playa del Carmen es de 81 grados (durante el dia) y 68 grados (durante la noche).

Te invitamos a unirte al grupo de voluntarios del Unico Evento de la PGA TOUR fuera de los Estados Unidos y Canada. Combina una vacacion tropical con una experiencia unica de golf.

Se necesitan voluntarios para todo tipo de actividad; desde marshals, conductores de transporte en el campo de golf, anotadores de puntaje, servicios para medios de comunicacion y mucho mas. Ser un voluntario es la unica manera de estar "dentro de las cuerdas" y tener la mejor vista de este historico evento. Ademas de ser parte de la historia de golf, los voluntarios recibiran muchos mas beneficios incluyendo:
•Uniforme
•Desayuno Continental y un Box Lunch para cada dia de trabajo
•Credencial de voluntario que te dara acceso al torneo los dias que no estas trabajando

Mayakoba Golf Classic en Riviera Maya-Cancun - Como Colaboro?

The Impact of Expatriate Stress on Marriage

Last week, I met a Western expat who had moved from Beijing to Kuala Lumpur with his partner. He learned about my occupation as a marriage and family therapist and asked, “do you think moving to a different country with your partner can inject a healthy fresh-start to your relationship?” Like many of my answers, I responded, “it depends.”

It depends on how negative the relationship was in the first place. If the relationship was already in a vulnerable state, moving to a new country would not mean moving away from the problems—the psychological and relational baggage gets checked-in along with the physical baggage. And when the stresses of adjusting to a new country begin to grow, the vulnerabilities of the relationship crack under the pressure, and the problems spew like dirty laundry erupting out of an overly stuffed luggage.

Family scholars would describe the above as the stress-vulnerability model applied to marriage relationships. According to this model, despite the exciting opportunities of expat-living, moving abroad can contribute stress to one’s marriage. For instance, finding appropriate housing, children adjusting to new schools, new unfamiliar languages, learning new directions, missing home, and not having much social support, can easily add stress to a relationship.

If a marriage was already struggling with personal issues such as depression or addictions, or relational issues such as jealousy or poor communication, adding in the stress of expatriation can seriously jeopardize the continuity of the marriage.

According to psychologist Guy Bodenmann’s stress-divorce model, chronic everyday stresses negatively affect relationship quality by (a) decreasing the frequency of time couples spend together; (b) decreasing the quality of marital communication; (c) increasing the risk of physical or psychological problems such as sexual dysfunctions and moods disorders; (d) increasing the expression of problematic personality traits. These processes result in mutual alienation in the couples, leading eventually to divorce.

After explaining the vulnerability-stress model to the Western expat who asked me if moving to a new country could give a couple a fresh-start, I asked him back as to why he asked the question. “Because that’s what I did with my girlfriend,” he replied.

“So, what happened?” I continued to probe, to which he answered with a shrug, “we broke up.”

Moving to a new country can negatively affect family relationships. What can couples do to prevent the stresses of living abroad from destroying their marriages? Here are three suggestions.

First, recognize that healthy relationships do not just happen—they need to be cultivated. Couples would do well to hold “weekly couple meetings” where they discuss and work on relationship and family matters with just as much seriousness as they would their professional work. In addition to weekly couple meetings, set aside date nights at least once, if not twice a month. During date nights, do not try to problem solve, but focus on having fun and romancing each other to upkeep the reservoir of positive memories.

Second, learn to communicate effectively. Learn to hear what the other person is saying, and give feedback to help them know that they have been heard correctly by paraphrasing what they said. Take turns being the speaker and the listener. This is especially important when talking about sensitive issues or hot topics. Learn how to speak and listen sensitively and respectfully.

Third, develop a network of social support to avoid feeling isolated. Many companies have expat services, gatherings, and other resources that can be helpful to family members adjusting to a new place, language, and culture—make use of these. Remember that it takes time and effort to cultivate new relationships.

 

By special invitation, Dr. Johnben Loy contributed the following article for the December 2010/January 2011 issue of EXPATALK, a newsletter for Global Outpost Expatriate Support Network.

 

(Click on this link to read the original article.)

Vow Renewals - A Guide to Renewing Your Wedding Vows

In this world where divorce seems to be the norm, a couple managing to stay together through thick and thin deserves some celebration! If you and your spouse have made it to a significant anniversary, or you just want to have a "do-over" wedding, consider a vow renewal.

Reasons You Might Want a Vow Renewal
•You want to celebrate your 5-year, 10-year, 25-year etc. wedding anniversary
•You only got married legally before, and now want to marry religiously
•You only got married religiously before, and now want to marry legally
•Your first wedding had some element of disaster, and you want a do-over
•You didn't have much money for your first wedding, and you want a more elaborate wedding
•You got married with only a few people present, and you'd like to say wedding vows in front of lots of family and friends
•You've had some rocky times in your relationship, and would now like to reaffirm your commitment to one another
•You think it would be romantic

A Bad Reason to Have a Vow Renewal Ceremony
•You miss wedding planning and want to throw another party. The focus of any wedding, but especially a vow renewal, should be the promises you are making to each other, and the sacred ritual of marriage, not the party.

How to renew your wedding vows
The good news is, there are far less rules and dos and don'ts about vow renewal than almost any other kind of ritual. It can be as simple as the two of you alone in a beautiful spot reciting vows you have written, or a fancy affair with hundreds of guests.

First Steps
Just as with any wedding planning, you should begin by figuring out what style of ceremony/reception you'd like, deciding a budget, picking a date and finding a venue. Some couples who are older will have much more money than when they wed the first time; others whose parents helped the first time will have far less. The good news is that vow renewals are generally cheaper than first weddings, and with less rules on what "should" be done, you can really concentrate on the elements that are important to you.

How Elaborate Should a Vow Renewal Be?
The answer to this question lies in your own reason for wanting a vow renewal ceremony. Many people chose to renew their vows because they were so caught up in the planning and the partying of their first wedding, they felt the focus of the day was taken off of the ceremony. Therefore, most vow renewals tend to be intimate celebrations, with only close family and friends present, and a lunch afterwards at a nice restaurant. Others who didn't have much money for their first wedding have very lavish ceremonies and parties afterwards.

Even if you want a big and expensive celebration, there are still a few things you should avoid:
•Don't have attendants. If you have children, you can give them a special role in the ceremony, but there is no need to designate them as bridesmaids or groomsmen. You may wish to invite your original bridal party and recognize them during the ceremony.

•Don't register for gifts. This is not the time to upgrade the china. Wedding gifts are to help a newly-married couple set up their household together.

•Don't throw bachelor or bachelorette parties. This is an obvious one – you aren't bachelors or bachelorettes!

Who Should Lead the Vow Renewal?
Since presumably you have already done the legal marriage, this ceremony will not be legally binding. Therefore, you can ask a judge or clergy member to officiate, but you can also ask a friend or an adult child to lead the ceremony. For a simple vow renewal, you don't necessarily need an officiant at all.

Vow Renewal Invitation Wording

If you are hosting it yourself:

The honor of your presence
is requested at
the reaffirmation of the wedding vows of
Sharon and Martin Jones
Saturday, March 25 etc.

Or

Please join us
as we renew our wedding vows and celebrate 25 years together
Sharon and Martin Jones
Saturday, March 25 etc.

If your children are hosting it:
The children of
Sharon and Martin Jones
Request the honor of your presence
at the vow renewal ceremony of their parents
etc.
 
Written By Nina Callaway, About.com Guide
 

Planning a wedding, honeymoon, renewal of vow, 2nd honeymoon or a romantic get-a-way for some alone time in the Riviera Maya? Visit us online and find the best family vacation rentals for you.

Chemicals Kill Mexico Coral Reefs

A new study links the contamination of a giant aquifer under Mexico's Riviera Maya to the loss of up to 50 percent of coral reefs in the Caribbean since 1990.

The Journal of Environmental Pollution released a study stating that pharmaceutical, pesticide, and other chemical run-off from highways have infiltrated the region's giant aquifer network, AFP reported.

Existing sinkholes -- depressed areas allowing the transfer of surface water to the underground passages -- have likely provided routes for the contaminated water to enter the sea.

“These findings clearly underline the need for monitoring systems to pin-point where these aquifer pollutants are coming from," said Chris Metcalfe of the United Nations University's Institute for Water, Environment and Health.

Researchers believe the sources of these pollutants are pit latrines, septic tanks and leaking sewer lines, stressing that just one-third of the state is served by municipal wastewater treatment systems.

Samples taken from an area close to a golf course on a seaside resort revealed the pesticide contamination of the area, while polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons run-off had likely entered the groundwater from highways, parking lots, airport tarmac, and other solid surfaces.

Other contributing factors to the large-scale destruction of coral reefs in the Caribbean -- which houses nearly one-third of the world's coral reef habitat -- include overfishing, coral diseases, and rising water temperatures.

“As well, prevention and mitigation measures are needed to ensure that expanding development does not damage the marine environment and human health and, in turn, the region's tourism-based economy," Metcalfe added.

Located on the Yucatan Peninsula, the Riviera Maya is a popular tourist destination.

The 10-fold estimated increase in the population by 2030 will likely worsen the pollution problem, the study added.

Source: PressTV 

Coming To The Riviera Maya With Childrens?

Some useful Tips:

Do rent a car. Playa del Carmen is about 45 minutes from the Cancun airport and many hotels and parks are further; you’ll want flexibility to explore the area.


Don’t miss getting away from the main drag. The cenotes, the Mayan villages, and eco parks are what make this region worth a special trip.

Take the fast ferry from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel. The island boasts incredible beaches as well as snorkeling, fishing, and sailing expeditions.

Even if they tell you the water’s safe, stick with bottled water. Originally, our resort said that the water was fine, but they then recommended that we spit it out quickly when we brushed our teeth. That was enough for this mom. Drinking only bottled water, we had no tummy issues at all, making Zoe a much happier camper.

Bring biodegradable sunscreen from the U.S., and realize that some sites allow no sunscreen at all. Many of the ecological parks, including Xel-ha and X-caret, will confiscate your regular sunscreen because of its impact on their water sources. However, while they have samples of the biodegradable variety, they’re reluctant to part with them (they offered us one small ketchup-sized packet for the two of us). Zoe’s favorite part of our entire trip was swimming in the cenotes, but she had quite a sunburn to show for it afterwards.

Wear comfortable walking shoes. Visiting the eco-parks involves a huge amount of walking over rough paths and rocks – but it’s worth it! The scenery and underground rivers are spectacular.

Bring a notarized letter from your child’s other parent if you’re traveling solo with your little one. According to the immigration authorities, “The U.S. Immigration & Naturalization Service has begun cracking down on single adults departing the United States with children, at the request of international border officials trying to halt the transport of runaways and children involved in child-custody disputes.” While I wasn’t asked for my letter, Zoe volunteered it to the official.

Winter time is perfect; watch out for hurricanes in fall. Although winter is certainly the high season, it’s when the weather’s best. In April, when we traveled, it was hot and humid (average 88 degrees) but sunny. June, September, and October have the highest risk of rain and hurricanes.
 
Does a family vacation to the Riviera Maya sound great to you?


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The Sacred Mayan Journey 2011 - The Religious Importance Of The Sea

The Maya, wonderful astronomers, skillful architects, sailors and tradesmen, talented artists and zealous caretakers of their gods, developed one of the most important cultures in Mesoamerica before the Spaniard conquerors arrived to this land.

Ports like Xamanhá, today´s Playa del Carmen, and mainly Ppolé, modern day Xcaret, served as the starting point for the pilgrimages that came from the most remote cities of the Mayan world on their way to the sanctuary of the goddess Ixchel in the island of Cuzamil, today’s Cozumel.

On the 5th Anniversary of the Sacred Mayan Journey, we want to keep on reenacting this ritual of the ancient sailors with your participation. Dance, ceremonies, commerce and the physical effort of the oarsmen are key elements of the pilgrimage toward Cozumel in search of the message that stems from the oracle of Ixchel; goddess of the moon, the tides and floods, medicine, pregnancy, weaving and regeneration cycles. An appreciation for the rich culture left by the Maya as a legacy is what brings us together once again

To recreate the Sacred Mayan Crossing in such traditional sites as Xcaret, Cozumel and Playa del Carmen in order to re-establish an ancient practice. In the long run, it can form both a link to a cultural identity on many levels for the region’s inhabitants, as well as an attraction for local, national and international tourism.

In addition, we seek to:

Diversify the area’s cultural offering through a multi-disciplinary project—including anthropologists, musicians, dancers, rituals, ritual purification, business, physical exertion—that strengthens and teaches the area’s original culture, forgotten for many years, and to foster expansion of tourism in the area.

Strengthen communication and cooperation between public and private institutions in Cozumel, Xcaret and the Riviera Maya through a common effort to enrich the area’s cultural offerings.

Educate the public on ancient Mayan practices, especially related to veneration of the goddess Ixchel, considered the Mother goddess of the region’s ancient Mayan culture.

Engage the local community in strengthening the Mayan culture as the region’s original culture, currently at risk due to migratory processes of thousands of workers, professionals and tourists that have come to the area.

The Sacred Mayan Journey promotes active participation of:

• The community, from the youngest people to the elderly men and women.

• Men and women from 18 to 70 years of age in very good physical condition.

• Mayan dance performers (children, pregnant and elderly women).

Download The Sacred Mayan Journey 2011 Program 

Would like to get further information? Visit Travesia Sagrada Maya Website

How to Choose Your Mexico Real Estate Type for Investment

Like most other markets, Mexico real estate offers investors a broad range of styles suitable for investment. The style each investor chooses will be determined by purpose, personal taste, etc. The following are a few different styles, and some suggestions.

Constant income

Investors looking for a constant and steady income, rental properties are the best way to go. Vacation rentals can offer a higher, over-all income, but fluctuate throughout the year. Fluctuation can also take place from year to year, depending on the strength of tourism in Mexico. While 2009 saw a very large dip, 2010 has already seen a recovery surpassing 2008's pre-recession highs.

Tourists are still spending less money, but this lower spending effects accommodations less than restaurants, etc. For this kind of investment property, it is of key importance to work with a strong property/rental management company or plan. There have been cases of excellent properties bringing very little return because of the lack of publicity. Large homes and condos (3-4 bedrooms) tend to hold the highest appeal, since they are attractive ways for small groups of vacationers to save money. Excellent locations for this purpose include Cancun/Playa del Carmen and Puerto Vallarta , which receive the highest numbers of international tourists.

Another option is long-term rental, which is more constant, both month to month and year to year; while it tends to bring a slightly lower income, it also requires less constant attention in finding renters, and is less dependent on tourism fluctuaton. A wider variety of locations can also be considered, including non-tourist locations.

Investment you can enjoy

Many investors are looking for an investment that is not purely return, but offers enjoyment as well. Mexico real estate is a prime choice for this kind of investment because of the close tie between the real estate and tourism industries. On the most basic level, it is just like the vacation-rental properties described above, but investors use the property part of the year.

It is becoming more common, however, that condo-hotels (or "condo-resorts") are being specifically designed to allow for this. Some include specific rental pool plans, where investors choose how much time to dedicate to income, and how much to enjoyment. One possible feature is an on-line "portal" which allows owners to control their investment, deciding how often and when to place their property in the pool. This concept can range from full investment income, with owners enjoying the property in the low season, when the property would be unoccupied anyway, to a focus on the owner's enjoyment, using the rental income just to balance maintenance costs and their own vacationing expenses.

Hands Off

Closely related is the amount of effort which each owner wants to put into their investment. Many of the condo-hotel style developments offer a complete hands-off package, where everything from maintenance to room cleaning is included in the plan, as well as complete control of the rental system (in these cases, owners usually have to indicate there vacationing time at the beginning of the year, and it is sometimes a limited number of weeks.)

A similar situation can set up with condo bought in a non-hotel style complex, through hiring a property management company. In both cases, it is very important to confirm the success of the company in question.

While there is a higher cost involved, this kind of arrangement can be ideal for those who don't have time to find and track their own property rentals or take care of maintenance. Just as important as the amounts involved is the number of items included in the management plan / condo fees, and, again, the occupancy rates offered by that company.

Leveraged Investment

Mortgages through Mexican banking institutions are becoming more and more common. A handful of savvy buyers have managed to find rental properties where the rental income covers the maintenance costs, utility bills, property taxes, insurance and even the monthly mortgage payment. While due care must be taken and it is advisable for investors to have a backup plan, these owners are obtaining a property at minimal costs (the down payment and closing costs) and will enjoy a potential return of almost the entire value of the property (which, if done right, will also have risen significantly) when the mortgage is completed, plus the ongoing income from rental.

Return from value appreciation

Investors looking for future return based on the resale of a property also have many options in Mexico. In fact, some of the properties focused on rental incomes can also enjoy good appreciation. Most often, however, buyers looking for this kind of return will choose properties with a specific focus.

One common choice is land in up-and-coming tourism locations. Tulum, just south of Cancun and Playa del Carmen on the Yucatan Peninsula, is currently a favorite, with a new international airport on the way, and an expected boom both in tourism and real estate. Other areas, such as Campeche, on the other side of the Peninsula are also promising for growing tourism and expat populations, while prices are still very low.

Personal Project

For investors who enjoy making a personal project out of their investment, there are also many excellent options. The same land purchases in up-and-coming areas can become exciting home-building project, bringing even further value to the investment and making the project much more involved.

Another option is the classic fixer-upper. Renovation projects are available in a broad range of locations, including colonial cities such as Merida or Mazatlan, beachfront resort cities, like Cancun, or small towns like Progreso near Merida. These kinds of projects involve a great deal of care in property choice, and also careful planning to avoid a situation where the cost of the project comes close to the resale value. A patience, or even love for, the unexpected and finding innovative solutions is a good trait for fixer-upper investors. A reasonable number of investors have made a fortune in this way.

Published at Nuwire Investor
 
We invite you to take a look these attactive opportunities for both investment and enjoyment for decades.
Contact us if your would like to get further information.

So you want to learn to dive?

There are some who say that all Open Water courses are basically the same. The fact is that they are not. There are major differences in a number of programs. You need to be honest with yourself and decide just how knowledgeable and skilled you wish to be at the end of your first class.

If you want to be led around by a DM or Guide and not take responsibility for yourself there are a number of classes where you would be taught just enough to do this. These classes are quick, allow you to do mostly self study, or be taught by a program on a computer. You will have minimal face time with an instructor and receive just enough skills to survive under water. If you wish to do more than just be led around then you need to find a class that provides more than simple survival skills.

If you want to learn to dive my recommendation is to find a class that will give you all the skills to safely plan, execute, and return from a dive with a buddy of equal skill and training and no professional in the water. You would be able to do this in conditions equal to or better than that in which you have been trained. It should give you the skills to assist another diver should something go wrong and help you develop your sense of responsibility to yourself and your buddy.

Finally it should give you the confidence and judgment to know when a dive is beyond your skill, training, and experience and to call the dive should those conditions arise. The photo below shows conditions where the new OW diver would be better off calling the dive!

The class should contain all the elements that will fulfill these requirements. The class should begin with making sure you are comfortable in the water and most importantly can swim! This sounds obvious but there are some classes that allow divers to complete swim requirements wearing mask, snorkel, and fins.

This is not swimming. Some say divers don’t need to know how to swim because they will have all that gear on. I find that a very dangerous attitude to take regarding swimming skills. Anyone who is going to be in, or for that matter, around water should know how to swim.

The class should include instruction in skin diving and snorkeling. It should cover kicks, mask clearing, snorkel clearing, and at least two types of skin dives. It should allow for practice time using these techniques. During this time it should also include instruction in and the use of proper buddy procedures. This is done by pairing students up and insisting they remain together during every exercise to reinforce the idea that when one is diving with a buddy they need to stay with them.
The classroom associated with this should introduce the student to basic diving history, the equipment used in snorkeling and skin diving, and a discussion about basic physics and physiology. Following this an introduction to the equipment of SCUBA should take place.

The next session in the pool is when they are introduced to SCUBA. It should start by first determining how much weight they need in whatever exposure suit they are wearing. The instructor should not be overweighting students for. Next the student should be introduced to breathing through the regulator on the surface. From this point on all skills are built upon each other.

The pool session should focus on diver safety and comfort. This is done by taking basic skills and reinforcing them through practice and by adding to them. Increased task loading builds comfort and confidence while at the same time adding to the safety of the diver and of their buddy.

The classroom is where dive theory is passed on and explained. In my opinion this necessitates face to face discussion. Having a student take a book home, read it, and answer a few questions only to spend a few minutes reviewing them is not education. It is memorization and parroting what was in the book. The student may or may not get all the info but if not and they miss a detail that is not covered at a later time it could come back to hurt them later.

When I have a student in front of me and am able to see their face and their eyes I get immediate feedback. I know if they are getting the material. I see the lights come and by the same token can see when they dim and I know that we need to slow down, stop, or review the material. Self study material should reinforce the material taught and prepare the student for the next session. It should not replace actual lectures and face to face discussions.
Many times students do not meet the instructor until the actual start of the class. Other classes may have more than one instructor teaching different portions of the course. If the instructors are not effectively communicating for any reason, content can be duplicated or even omitted. This is even more of an issue when it comes to pool training, especially during the first few sessions. Every instructor has their own style and methods for teaching the exact same skill.

To start off one way and then have to switch to a different way is not a problem for students who are completely comfortable in the water and with the skill. For the student who has any kind of issue with basic skills this could prove to be a serious problem. My own experience tells me that the same successful approach to a skill for five people may not work with the sixth one. Often it has been necessary to modify the approach and even spend one on one time with a student in a private. In my classes one of the most important skills that I have seen students need this is in mask clearing.

Some OW instructors are satisfied when a student is able to perform this skill successfully one time. Not all new open water students are expected to perform the skill once and move on to something else. Some classes have students repeat skills over and over every session. They also add other tasks to be performed while doing the basic skill. This has the effect of getting a student comfortable with the skill in a number of different situations.

My own class has students clearing and removing and replacing the mask at least 20 times before we get to open water. And this not the only skill this is done with. By the time students get to open water they should be able to perform all basic skills at any time during the checkout dives. And they should be able to do this while swimming, hovering, and not breaking trim.

This is the kind of training that makes SCUBA diving a much more enjoyable venture for everyone. When looking for a training course there should be a focus on courses that offer plenty of time to learn skills and time to practice them in the pool. A course that offers to get you through in four to six hours in the pool does not allow much time to just swim around and practice those new skills; especially if there are more than a couple people in the class because each skill takes time for each diver to perform.

Class size is another factor to consider. Smaller classes insure that students have plenty of time to just swim and practice the new skills before moving on to something new and that’s the right way to learn to dive.

When selecting an initial certification class ask yourself what you plan to get out of it.
Do you want to be able to dive with confidence and skill?
Do you want to be able to plan a dive, dive that plan, and safely return from that dive on your own?
Do you want to be able to go anywhere within the limits of your training and experience and not have to rely on someone else to keep you safe?
Or is it enough that you receive the bare minimum necessary to survive underwater while under supervision? If so are you okay with hiring a private guide or Dive Master to watch over you?

Because as we have seen earlier this is the only way you can insure that they will be looking after you and you alone. Are you also okay with the idea that if something happens to them that you may have to look after yourself and perhaps even rescue the guide? This is a very real possibility.
And finally are you again okay with the idea that you are literally putting your life in the hands of a stranger?
 If you are ok with all of these things- I personally would never be- then by all means take the quick and easy course. However if you want to be responsible for yourself and perhaps your loved ones, determine how, when, where you will dive, and be assured in the knowledge that you can handle most any issue that comes up then I strongly suggest that you look into a comprehensive course that will contain all the knowledge and skills necessary to do those things.

You may need to do some research to find them but they do exist and are readily available to those who wish to be safe, confident, and skilled divers who do not need to be watched over. I strongly encourage every diver- and diver to be – to do some research before signing up for an Open Water class.

As I stated earlier not all training classes are the same. You will encounter other divers and even instructors who will tell you that the basic class of every agency has all the necessary information and training a new diver needs. And to an extent that is true. Where the truth takes a side road is when you start to determine what those entry level classes prepare you for. Do you want to be led or do you want to lead? I want to lead.

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Top 5 reasons why Spa vacations are important for you!

Spa retreat vacations are in style! Now a popular trend among American travelers and other foreign vacationers, many people are discovering the wonderful health benefits of taking a spa retreat vacation.

Here are the top 5 reasons why we think you’ll enjoy a spa retreat!

Reason #1 – Spa treatments are great stress relievers

Many people think spas are just for basic beauty and therapeutic treatments, such as facials and massages. The truth is spas offer not only beauty and aesthetics services but also physical and emotional benefits.

Spa treatments are a great way of releasing tension. Several studies indicate that spa treatments and massages improve mood by reducing levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which helps slow heart rate and reduce blood pressure.

Reason #2 – Relax your body and mind

Spas are terrific places to relax in accommodating surroundings. Moreover, experts can help you improve your fitness, diet, and detoxify to renew your body – all which help to reduce stress and increase wellness.Spas are also wonderful places to commune with nature and take time for personal reflection.

Reason #3- Reconnect with family, friends, and loved ones

Spas provide the perfect environment for enjoying vacation getaways with girlfriends; Whether it’s just for spending “alone” time with your mom or daughter, or for celebrating an event such as a Bachelorette party or Mother’s Day.

Spa hotels are an ideal vacation place for honeymooners and couples who want to add a little “oomph” to their relationship. With all the sensory indulgences and candlelit dinners, they create the ultimate romantic vacation!
Many spa hotels also offer activities and services for the entire family. Supervised programs will keep your children busy while you go enjoy a workout or spa treatment. Large spa hotels, like Hacienda Tres Rios in the Riviera Maya, offer day camps for children.

Reason #4 – Medical and health benefits
Many spa treatments improve physical functioning and alleviate pain (such as chronic headaches and migraines). A basic massage, body treatments, or heat/hydro therapy can help improve circulation and reduce blood pressure, strengthen your respiratory system, increase joint flexibility and boost your immune system.
Reason #5 – You deserve it!

Many people consider spas to be a luxury, not a necessity. A common misconception is that spas are just for the wealthy. We’ve got news for you: spas benefit everyone, and we all deserve to feel good about ourselves.

Besides, spa treatments can help balance mood. Now there’s some ammunition to convince your partner how important it is for a spa visit!
Imagine how much happier women would be if they went on a spa retreat vacation at least once a …?

Published at Cancun Great Vacations

With the Spa Itza’s signature, we can help you to create an atmosphere of serene sensuality and relaxation at the privacy of your hotel or vacation rental in Playa del Carmen, Akumal, Tulum and any other destination along the Riviera Maya.

If you are planning your tropical wedding in the Mexican Caribbean; Cntact us with your questions or reservations.Wedding Packages are also available.

When is Hurricane Season?

Once May rolls around, low rates beckon at resorts in the Caribbean and on Mexico's Caribbean coast (Cancun and the Riviera Maya). Yet every few years, one of these popular spots is pummeled by a tropical storm. Florida, too, is vulnerable on the Gulf and Atlantic Coasts, and in the Keys to the south. Even tourist powerhouse Orlando -- in the middle of the state-- gets an occasional blast. (See more about the Florida hurricane season.)

Officially, the Atlantic hurricane season is from June 1 to November 30, but as the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) notes:

"There is nothing magical in these dates, and hurricanes have occurred outside of these six months, but these dates were selected to encompass over 97% of tropical activity."

When Is the Hurricane Season Most Active?
Again according to the AOML, there's a "very peaked season from August to October," which means this period includes:
•78% of the tropical storm days
•87% of the "minor" hurricane days, and
•96% of the "major" hurricane days

And within this peak hurricane season, early to mid-September is the pinnacle.

Of course Mother Nature isn't reading any calendars, and every once in a while a tropical cyclone hits out of season -- usually in May or December-- or late in the season: Hurricane Wilma, for instance, battered Cancun and the Riviera Maya on October 21 and 22 2005.
-- Wilma was a reminder that October can be risky. (See a graphic of October Caribbean hurricanes over many decades; see also month by month statistics for hurricanes in the Caribbean.)
Even if a hurricane doesn't officially make landfall, its effects can be drastic. Hurricane-force winds can extend 90 miles out from the center, and tropical-storm-force winds might reach 200 miles. (Even "squalls," or heavy thunderstorms, can extend several hundred miles.) Another point: "landfall" only officially occurs when the center of the eye of the storm contacts land. The strongest winds, however, are at the "eye-wall" around the edge of the eye, and this might hit land even if the center does not. (See more about area of hurricane impact.)

Hurricane Season in the Caribbean: Different Areas
Some islands are less prone to violent storms than others, and holiday-goers can try to pick spots strategically. The Dutch Caribbean "ABC" islands -- Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao-- are clustered close to Venezuela, and considered to be out of the main hurricane zone. Trinidad and Tobago, too, are south of the hurricane belt and rarely get hit.

Also, some say that the eastern Caribbean and US East Coast are most at risk from mid-August to mid-September, while in the western Caribbean (which includes Mexico and Belize), the season intensifies from mid-September into early November. Disregarding this conventional wisdom, Jamaica, in the western Caribbean, has mainly been hit during late August and early September...

Unfortunately, Mother Nature isn't reading any calendars or maps.

Forecasts for 2011 Hurricane Season
Still, every year hurricane specialists give their best shots at forecasts for the hurricane season. For example, the Tropical Meteorology Project at Colorado State University has ongoing Tropical Storm Forecasts. Their extended range forecast for 2011 is as follows:

"We continue to foresee well above-average activity for the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season. Our seasonal forecast has been reduced slightly from early December, since there is a little uncertainty about ENSO and the maintenance of anomalously warm tropical Atlantic SST conditions. We continue to anticipate an above-average probability of United States and Caribbean major hurricane landfall."

This forecast is dated April 6 2011; check the site for updates.

How To Protect Your Vacation in Hurricane Season
While the likelihood of a direct hit to your beach resort is small, even if your holiday isn't actually in the path of a major storm, weather patterns are disrupted in a wide radius. Some days may be spoiled by rain and wind if you're in an affected area.
Despite the weather risks, hurricane season is a tempting time to travel because it spans the top two months when kids are out of school. Also -- and not surprisingly!-- very tempting discounts are offered at Caribbean resorts during the hurricane season months.

Published by By Teresa Plowright from About.com

How to Make Your Easter Basket

Why not print out one of our simple to make Easter baskets and fill it with goodies to give to your friends at Easter time. All you need are scissors, colouring pencils and a glue stick and away you go. We have three delightful designs for you to choose from. We recommend this activity if you are between seven and eleven years old.

How to Make Your Easter Basket

1.Print out one of the three basket templates listed at the bottom of the page.

2.Cut out the basket and handle along the solid lines around the edge. When you are cutting out the basket it is important not to cut along the dotted lines as these are fold lines.

3.Colour in the design and write your Easter message.

4.Fold along the dotted lines.

5.Apply glue to the bottom flaps and side flaps to stick the basket together.

6.Put glue on the ends of the handle and stick them on the inside of the basket.

7.Allow the glue to dry, then put some shredded paper or tissue paper into the basket and arrange the Easter egg on top.


Downloadable Templates

Download Easter Basket One

Download Easter Basket Two

Download Easter Basket Three


Published at: Topmarks

Easter holiday in Mexico!!

Semana Santa, or Holy Week, is the week leading up to Easter. This is the most important holiday in the church calendar because it is the celebration of the resurrection of Christ. Since Mexico is predominantly a Catholic country (over 90% of Mexicans practice Catholicism to some extent), Holy Week is a very important holiday.


Travel During Holy Week:
Holy Week in Mexico is both a religious and a secular holiday. Most schools in Mexico have a two-week vacation period at this time, effectively making this Spring Break for Mexicans. This also tends to be the hottest and driest time of year through most of the country, making the beach a magnet for those wanting to escape hot city streets. So if you're planning to travel to Mexico during this time, be prepared for crowds on beaches and at tourist attractions, and make hotel and travel reservations well in advance.

Religious Celebrations:
The religious observances of Semana Santa do not take a back seat to beach fun, however. Processions and passion plays take place all through the country, though different areas celebrate in different ways and certain communities have more effusive celebrations. Among those places where Holy Week is celebrated en grande are Taxco, Pátzcuaro, Oaxaca and San Cristobal de las Casas.

Jesus' final days are evoked in the rituals that take place during the week.

Palm Sunday - Domingo de Ramos
On the Sunday prior to Easter, known as Palm Sunday, the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem is commemorated. According to the Bible Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey and the people in the streets laid down palm branches in his path. In many towns and villages in Mexico on this day there are processions reenacting Jesus' triumphal entry, and woven palms are sold outside churches.

Maundy Thursday - Jueves Santo
The Thursday of Holy Week is known as Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday. This day commemorates the washing of the feet of the apostles, the Last Supper and Jesus' arrest in Gethsemane. Some Mexican traditions for Maundy Thursday include visiting seven churches to recall the vigil the apostles kept in the garden while Jesus prayed before his arrest, foot-washing ceremonies and of course Mass with Holy Communion.

Good Friday - Viernes Santo
Good Friday recalls the crucifixion of Christ. On this day there are solemn religious processions in which statues of Christ and the Virgin Mary are carried through town. Often the participants of these processions dress in costumes to evoke the time of Jesus. Passion plays, dramatic recreations of the crucifixion of Christ, are presented in many communities. The largest takes place in Iztapalapa, south of Mexico City, where over a million people gather every year for the Via Crucis.

Holy Saturday - Sábado de Gloria
In some places there is a custom of burning Judas in effigy because of his betrayal of Jesus, now this has become a festive occasion. Cardboard or paper mache figures are constructed, sometimes with firecrackers attached, and then burned. Sometimes the figures are made to represent political figures.

Easter Sunday - Domingo de Pascua
You won't come across any mention of the Easter Bunny or chocolate eggs on Easter Sunday in Mexico. This is generally a day when people go to Mass and celebrate quietly with their families, though in some places there are festivities with fireworks.
 
See you in Playa!!

Kids Living Abroad in Mexico

It's never easy uprooting your family and taking them halfway around the globe. The first time can be a potential nightmare. Consequently, you would think the second move would be easier. Or is it? In times of geo-political unrest, yes even crisis, many corporations have had to evacuate their expat families. These families are for the most part not willing to accept another posting and other potential candidates are often reluctant to accept offers if they have families.


Yet here are the facts: 45% of the expat population have children and their average age ranges from 5 to 12 years old. Whereas in the past it was often assumed that children were flexible and unaffected by such large lifestyle changes, a new awareness has surfaced that recognizes children's sensitivity and varying level of tolerance for an international move. This hightened awareness needs to be incorporated as an integral part of preparing for relocation.

Families often find that time quickly runs out right before the big moving day. With the pressing need for boxes to be packed and good-byes to be made, there is little time left to search for adequate ways to prepare the children. The young ones often find themselves in a transitional whirlwind that can leave them confused and frustrated with the uncertainties ahead.

Parents, projecting their hopes and aspirations on the children, most often deny the concerns felt by the child. "Yes, you will have to learn a new language, but you will be fine." Or, "Sure, you will go to a new school, but you will make friends." "No, we can not take the dog, but Benny will be happy with this new family." Not wanting to alarm, parents tend to gloss over these issues without helping the children address their concerns or listen to and settle their emotions.

Multiple Changes
Naturally, personality and developmental stage vary from one child to another. Their individual needs, preferences, openness and coping skills will differ, but there remains a large challenge to be met even by the most flexible of children. Let's not forget: a move involves more than just changing schools, there are new systems in place, other learning styles. Foremost is the total loss of reference for the child: the loss of friends. When moving abroad there are the additional challenges of learning a foreign language, adjusting to a new cultural environment and settling in to a house which is not yet a home, all during a period in the children's lives when they are still searching for their own identity. It is therefore not uncommon to see children react in their own unique ways to these changes.
Signs To Look For In Your Child
Anger, a sense of helplessness, and resentment are expressions of unresolved grief in children. Another observed behavior is an extremely passive attitude towards the move and the new cultural environment. Other children are driven by the fear of remaining an outsider, urgently demanding attention, and end up being labeled "difficult" or hyperactive. Some kids may feel hesistant to discuss their struggles with their parents out of concern for adding yet another problem to a parent's overwhelmed agenda. Other children are unable to share their feelings with parents because their concerns may have been initially denied prior to the move.

A Resource to Help You
A child friendly questionnaire is available free online at www.CONSULTus.net/expatkids/welcome.htm. It encourages the child to reflect and express his/her concerns about the upcoming move and helps to facilitate internal family communication. The document is part of an ongoing survey which parents are encouraged to participate in by submitting a parent questionnaire which is available on-line as well.
Virtual Community
Staying in touch with loved ones and sharing life experiences are universal needs. For children the internet has become an important tool to fulfill just these needs. The (non commercial) website www.Ori-and-Ricki.net is specially designed for expat kids. It features special sections where kids write about their experiences abroad. Other areas include country-specific information, great links, recommended books, etc. Ori, the migrating bird, together with his new found friend Ricki host this website. They not only are easy characters to identify with, but are accessible by e-mail, so kids can ask questions, share their resources or contribute to the site.

If you would like further information about relocating to the Riviera Maya, please email us at info@rivieramayaweb.com

Published at: Solution Abroad

Top 10 Family Vacations in the Caribbean & Mexico - Trip Advisor Survey 2011

The warm weather and beaches make the Caribbean and Mexico prime spots for family travel fun any time of the year. This year Paradise Island, with massive Atlantis resort and its myriad kids activities, and Ixtapa, Mexico, which boasts an excellent Club Med family-friendly resort, the prime attractions.
1. Paradise Island, New Providence Island, Bahamas
2. Ixtapa, Mexico
3. Playa Paraiso, Mexico
4. Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman
5. Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico
6. Puerto Aventuras, Mexico
7. Akumal, Mexico
8. Cancun, Mexico
9. Bayahibe, Dominical Republic
10. Palm/Eagle Beach, Aruba

What are your favorite family-friendly destinations?

If you are planning a beach vacation soon, be sure to check out http://www.rivieramayaweb.com/ and choose your  favourite your family accomodation in vacation rental along the Riviera Maya.

Read more about the survey at Trip Advisor: Top 10 Family Vacations in the Caribbean & Mexico

Planning a Move Abroad : Moving Your Family Overseas

Moving your family overseas takes much more planning and careful consideration than if you were traveling alone. Preparing to move your family to a new country can be both an exciting and stressful time. You will also need to think of the members of your family who will not be coming on your adventure with you and the ways in which you can ensure that you maintain your relationships before, during and after the move.

Moving Your Family

As soon as you are considering moving your family overseas you should set a significant amount of time aside to sit down with your children and discuss your decision to move abroad in detail. Older children may be very reluctant to leave their family and friends and will undoubtedly have a lot of questions that you will need to answer. Children should be consulted and involved throughout the whole moving process; from choosing where to live and what type of car you will buy in the new country through to deciding which schools they will attend. Through involving your children first hand in such decisions you can help them to feel an integral part of the process and give them some ownership of the direction that their lives are to take.

Once you have communicated the news and started basic planning, you should take steps to begin to familiarize your family with the language and culture of the country to which you intend moving. This can help to give your children a little more confidence in their place within the new country and can also help them to fit in faster when they do arrive.

The children, family and friends you leave behind

It is not always possible, or practical, to move your whole family overseas and you may decide to leave older children or other family members behind. If this is to be the case, you should take time to properly explain your decision to move overseas to your family and any adult children who will not be accompanying you at the earliest opportunity. Involve them as much as possible in the moving process so that they feel that you do still value their input and presence in your life.

Before leaving you should agree the methods by which you will continue to communicate with your family once you have left. This will provide those left behind with some security that you are not permanently disappearing from their lives and that you will still be in contact with them on a regular basis. Many expats set aside a timeslot each week whereby they spend time speaking with their family. With the emergence of the Internet, keeping in contact has never been so easy. There are web cams, affordable voice over internet calling options, social networking sites and instant messaging. You are only ever one click away from anyone you want to get in touch with. With your loved ones' support, it will be much easier to settle into a new life. See our free section on keeping in touch for more information.

It can also be useful to start to arrange trips for your family to visit you in your new home or for you to return to visit them. This provides all parties with something to look forward to and communicates your intention to remain a part of their lives.

Published: Expat Info Desk

The Rise and Decline of the Maya Civilization. Why did this great civilization fall?

From what we now understand of the Maya Civilization, the Maya were at their peak during the Classic Period (ca. 250 to 900 C.E.). The civilization had a fully-developed written language, advanced mathematical knowledge, stunning works of art, and monumental architecture. They also had developed an intricate cosmology with detailed religious beliefs and rituals, and supported a dense population with a broad cultural interaction with surrounding peoples, goods and ideas.

The Maya lands once covered southern Mexico and Guatemala, western Honduras, and El Salvador. Today their living remnants are small in number. How did this great civilization get its start and what caused its great decline?

The Rise of the Maya

The Maya people seemed to have been in the vicinity of the lowlands of southern Mexico and Guatemala from 3000 years ago. The Maya may have been forced into this area due to overcrowding elsewhere, as it was not the ideal place to relocate. The Maya first arrived in what is today their homeland around 1000 B.C.E., a tropical rainforest and harsh jungle with colorful wildlife – splendid birds, wild cats, serpents, crocodiles and monkeys.

The Maya were able to produce harvests of maize, beans and squash to feed their ever-increasing populations utilizing slash and burn agriculture and the mud from the swamps to enrich the soil. They lived near lakes and rivers which provided water and fishing. They were able to eke out of this harsh and inhospitable land enough sustenance to provide for their ever-advancing magnificent artistic and religious works.
They began to create city-states, and beautifully decorated buildings enhanced with writings of their history, increasing a complex culture that included astronomy and a foundation of advanced mathematics. They remained politically-fragmented, however, until the late 4th century C.E.

The Conqueror, Fire-Is-Born

In 378 C.E., a man named Fire-Is-Born arrived in Waka (today’s El Peru) in Guatemala. Fire-Is-Born came from Teotihuacan in the highlands near present-day Mexico City, a place of great influence in Mesoamerica. He appears to have been a military envoy from Teotihuacan commissioned by Spear-Thrower- Owl.

One alternate theory of the impetus for the conquering expeditions of Fire-Is-Born, is that a group had been expelled from Tikal and fled west to Teotihuacan. After a while they wanted to return to Tikal and overtake the city of their origin.

Fire-Is-Born first wanted to conquer Tikal, the most important city in the area, which was 80 kilometers (50 miles) to the east of Waka. About a week after his arrival in Waka, Fire-Is-Born overcame Tikal and Tikal’s king, Great-Jaguar-Paw, died on that day. The forces of Fire-Is-Born destroyed most of Tikal’s existing monuments covering the preceding 14 rulers. With Fire-Is-Born came military triumph, but also the seeds of eventual destruction and the self-annihilation of the Maya civilization.

After the take-over of Tikal, it became a superpower. Tikal then went on the offensive to subdue other city-states. But they were not alone. Another rival group, the Snake Lords of Calakmul to the north began to compete and great wars raged on.

By the 8th century, not only had the culture flourished, but the nobility had swelled beyond its capacity and the population had exceeded its limits, numbering, by some estimates, 10 million people in the Guatemala lowlands that today house about 360, 000 people.

The Beginning of the End of the Maya

From the late 8th to the early 9th century, city by city became obliterated, the nobility killed, their faces eradicated from many monuments. A great rivalry, not motivated by wealth but rather by hatred, tore the land apart. No longer was the history recorded in murals and monuments. Through warfare and draught, disease and famine, the cities withered away as their populations diminished and resources became scarce.

Palaces were abandoned, and the common people may have fled the killing and sought food and water elsewhere. The Mayans were never able to grow and store excess foods for future times of need, their land never yielded the type of crops needed for future planning, and these times of war were devastating.

The great Tikal outlasted most other Maya cities, but by 869, the last dated monument was created there. With increasing wars, fewer leaders were able to reestablish stability and growth and sustain their populations. The leaders lost the credibility they once had for their citizenry, and the great cities that had been carefully planned and built to feature great pageantry and godlike terrible strength disappeared.

In the end, the jungle was the eventual victor, reclaiming all that had been the Classic Maya Civilization.

Published at Suite101
Copyright Paula I. Nielson.

Travelers perceive value as combination of money, time and convenience

Smart Destinations today announced the results of its consumer survey, which explored the depth and breadth of travelers' research processes and purchase preferences and habits.

The survey, which includes responses from more than 500 U.S. travelers, shows that consumers take their vacations seriously, seeking advice, conducting online research and actively looking for deals. Today's travelers engage in an extensive research process, which often takes place over several months and includes numerous and varied information sources. While travelers consult several sources, when asked to select their most trusted sources, they selected the following:

Recommendations from friends (92 percent)
Online searches (70 percent)
Online reviews from other travelers (53 percent)
Travel books (50 percent)

The survey also revealed that travelers are proactively looking for value, and they are willing to conduct the necessary research to accomplish that. Additionally, travelers' definition of value is expanding. This value-mindset now goes beyond hotels and airfare and includes attractions, as well as savings in time and added convenience.

75 percent of respondents actively try to get discounted admission in advance if there is a specific activity they want to do on their trip
95 percent of respondents would buy admission in advance if they could "skip the line" at popular attractions
46 percent of respondents would pay more than the retail price to eliminate waiting in line
Travelers also indicated that promotions and sales, specifically those offering a 25 percent discount or greater, are key purchase triggers.
90 percent of travelers would pre-purchase attraction tickets for a 25 percent discount
92 percent of travelers would buy bundled admission of 3-5 attractions at once for a 25 percent discount

"The key takeaway from the study is that travelers today want value in all their travel purchases – including attractions and activities – and they are actively seeking out products and companies that can help them achieve that," said Cecilia Dahl, President and Founder of Smart Destinations. "We have seen this first hand in the sales of our Go City products which in 2010 saved consumers a record $5 million on the cost of attraction visits."
Published by Eturbonews

Six Ways You Can Help Earthquake and Tsunami Victims in Japan

The first thing on most peoples' minds after they hear the news of a horrific disaster (like the earthquake in Japan) is, what can I do to help?

Even if you're hundreds of thousands of miles away, there are various ways that you can offer your support to the earthquake and tsunami relief effort. Here are just a few of them:

The Red Cross: The Japanese Red Cross has already deployed 11 national disaster response teams to respond to the crisis but you can support their efforts by donating money. Similar to their efforts to help Haiti after the earthquake in 2010, Red Cross is accepting donations either online or via text message. Simply text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 from your phone (you'll be prompted to confirm with a second text reading YES).

Shelterbox: The UK-based organization has 18 international affiliates and it has launched an online fundraiser for the earthquake and tsunami relief efforts. Shelterbox provides assistance to afflicted countries by delivering large utility boxes that contain a shelter and other emergency relief tools. To donate online, simply go to your country's site and click DONATE.

International Medical Corps: To donate to this global non-profit's Emergency Response Efforts fund, simply go to their site and select the amount you wish to donate (be sure to note if you want your donation to be a "recurring gift" for future relief efforts) and fill in your information.

GlobalGiving.org: Working with other organizations such as the International Medical Corps, D.C.-based organization GlobalGiving has launched the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund, which will give aid to on the ground organizations providing emergency services. They are accepting donations online  with a funding goal of $90, 000.

Convoy of Hope: This non-profit focuses on disaster relief efforts and you can donate either online at their site or via text message by texting TSUNAMI to 50555 (you'll also be prompted to confirm with a follow up text of YES).

UPDATE: We've been hearing of more organizations that are leading the way in helping victims of the earthquake and tsunami so we'll be updating this list as they come in. If you know of more organizations that are doing great work and need help with donations, aid or volunteers please let us know.

Salvation Army: The Japan branch of the Salvation Army has been working in Tokyo to offer shelter to stranded commuters and they are reportedly organizing a team to send to Sendai Friday night. They also have their Hawaii branch standing by, ready to help. You can help their relief efforts by texting JAPAN or QUAKE to 80888 to make a $10 donation.

Written By: Megan Gibson
Published at TIMENewsFeed 

Come back from your vacation feeling truly refreshed

Resting, relaxing, recharging - that's the name of the game when you are on vacation. But how often do you get the chance to explore and experience opportunities to improve your health and wellness?

Perhaps it's time to try a different type of vacation - one that can have a lasting effect on your personal well-being. Resorts offering wellness programs are one of the most recent trends in the travel industry that present an opportunity for true renewal during your getaway.

Active vacations have long been an option for travelers, but the aim of wellness-centered getaways is arming guests with suggestions and ideas that they can take home with them so they can continue to improve their health. These types of lessons are mixed with more exotic activities often identified with vacations, such as zip-lining. 
Whether you are traveling with a family or with business associates, wellness retreats offer options for everyone. Here are a few examples of how a wellness vacation would work for different types of travelers:
Families: If you're traveling as a family, taking a wellness class or two during your time at a resort can be a great way for Mom and Dad to get some quality time together while the kids attend other supervised programs. If you have older children, taking a fitness class or cooking class together can be a great bonding experience.

Corporate retreats: Corporate wellness retreats can enhance regular business gatherings designed to reinvigorate employees. Since companies can save on health insurance costs when employees are healthier, organizing a trip with a wellness component can be a fun and relevant way to encourage healthy habits.

Personal: If you're looking for a way to relax on your own, wellness retreats offer the chance for self-improvement during your getaway. They also can provide an opportunity to socialize with other guests while enjoying your time away.

Group trips: Activities offered through wellness centers, like cooking classes and group fitness activities, can provide a great opportunity to bond with friends. By going through the experience together, you can also help each other stay on track with wellness goals when you go home.

While you may gather the impression that a wellness getaway would interfere with much-needed downtime, most programs allow visitors to opt in to as many sessions as they would like. Therefore, you can still kick back and enjoy your time away.

For more on destination wellness vacations in the Riviera Maya, visit http://www.rivieramayaweb.com/

Source: http://www.bonnersferryherald.com/

Going It Alone: 12 Tips For Vacationing With Grandchildren

By Nancy Schretter, Editor


Many of today's seniors are craving more time to connect with their grandchildren. That's just one reason why multigenerational travel is one of the fastest growing segments of the leisure travel market. According to the Travel Industry Association of America, thirty percent of traveling grandparents in the U.S. have taken at least one vacation with their grandchildren and that number is expected to skyrocket.

Independent grandparents who are seasoned travelers have taken this trend one step further by planning vacations alone with their grandchildren. This allows lots of one-on-one time together, forging strong bonds and creating memories that will last a lifetime. Many grandparents plan these events around a special occasion, such as a graduation or birthday. Others start taking regular trips alone with their grandchildren once the kids reach eight or nine years of age.

If you are contemplating traveling with the grandchildren in tow, make sure to walk before you run. Ease into intergenerational travel with careful planning and an open mind. Here are twelve tips to help make your vacation with the grandkids an "awesome" success:

Have your grandchildren take turns. Many grandparents have found that traveling with one or two grandchildren at a time works out best. Taking two provides each grandchild with companionship and entertainment, but double the pleasure may not be double the fun. Traveling with one grandchild at a time is generally less stressful and allows more time for those special one-on-one bonding experiences grandparents crave.

Do a test run. Start with a short trip together before traveling alone with your grandchildren for an extended vacation. Take an excursion to the zoo, a day trip to a nearby lake or beach, or invite them to stay at your house for the weekend. This will let you see how you interact together and find out if your grandchildren are ready to go with you on a longer journey away from home.

Talk with the parents. Creating successful vacations with grandchildren depends on developing a good understanding of their interests, preferences, habits and personalities. Talk with your children about your travel plans and ask for their advice on the length and type of trip. Parents can provide invaluable insights about their children's favorite interests, activity levels, needs for supervision and peer companionship, as well as their sleeping and eating habits. Use this information to help design your trip.

Consider health, safety and personality issues. Plan an intergenerational vacation that will cater to the needs of all ages rather than one solely designed with the grandchildren in mind. Be honest about your own preferences and limitations as well as those of the grandchildren, and keep in mind any activity, diet or health restrictions. If standing in long lines is not comfortable for you, think twice about going to a theme park. Likewise, if your grandchildren are accustomed to plenty of daily structured activities with kids their own age, you may wish to choose a cruise line, tour or resort that offers daily children's and teens' programs.

Brainstorm and plan the trip together. Travel experts have found that the most successful family vacations are those that involve both parents and children in choosing destinations and planning for their trip. The same is true for intergenerational travel. Talk with your grandchildren about their interests, activities, favorite sports and dream destinations. Tell them more about your goals for the trip - such as having fun, getting to know each other better, experiencing enriching activities together, and learning about the world. Take the time to share your own experiences and travel interests as well. Through these conversations, you will learn more about each other and find destinations and activities that all of you can enjoy.

Look for travel agents with experience in intergenerational vacations. Trips with grandchildren have grown in popularity over the last decade. As a result, travel agents are more experienced in catering to the needs of this burgeoning market. Using the information gleaned from your discussions with your children and grandchildren, knowledgeable travel specialists can direct you to a variety of vacation destinations, tour companies, cruise lines, theme parks and resorts that will meet your needs. These agents can also help design a fun-filled itinerary that will allow you to bond with your grandchildren in a way that is only possible through travel. If you are interested in a group travel experience, companies such as Grandtravel, Adventures by Disney, and Elderhostel Intergenerational Tours are experienced in intergenerational travel and offer a variety of tours from which to choose.

Set a budget and shop for savings. Successful trips with grandchildren do not have to be expensive ones. The best intergenerational vacations are those that are designed with your personalities, needs and interests in mind. Decide on a comfortable budget for your trip and make sure to include such items as souvenirs, tips, and a few unexpected activities or necessities. To help stretch your vacation dollars, make sure to look for discounts provided by membership organizations like AAA and AARP as well as special travel promotions offered by cruise lines, resorts, and tour operators. Search the Internet for deals and discounts, too. When calculating your budget, however, be careful to consider the needs of your traveling companions and cut corners wisely. For example, even though on-property theme park lodging may be more expensive, it is often well worth the cost for easy proximity at naptime or to provide the chance for a relaxing afternoon swim. Go over your final itinerary with your children and make sure they feel comfortable with your travel plans.

Build in private time together as well as "down" or "apart" time. While the goal of your trip is to create shared memories, it is also important to remember that children need time to burn off energy and enjoy the company of kids their own age. Likewise, grandparents need quiet periods for rest and some adult company as well. Keep this in mind when sorting through your vacation options. Cruises and intergenerational tours are popular for this reason. They offer supervised activities and programs for children and teens, allowing grandparents to enjoy some time on their own. These itineraries typically also include blocks of time for shared activities, such as meals, tours, excursions to local attractions, entertainment, and group events. Remember to stay flexible on your trip, as children's moods and interests can change constantly. If you and your grandchildren find something you'd rather do, be spontaneous and go with the flow rather than sticking with the planned schedule.

Keep up the excitement. Travel plans are often made far in advance of the trip, but out of sight doesn't have to mean out of mind. Pick up some travel brochures and a guidebook and share them with your grandchildren. Look for books that are set in your vacation destination and send them along in the mail. The Internet contains a variety of websites with pictures of your destination and information on activities that can be easily shared via e-mail. As the date draws closer, send along a suggested packing list for the trip.

Be prepared and expect the unexpected. Make a list of items that you and your grandchildren will need to bring on your trip. These include identification, contact and health insurance information, a notarized letter empowering you to act in case of medical emergencies, recent photos, and medicines. In addition, check the latest federal requirements well in advance and bring the proper travel documents with you. If your grandchildren have any dietary needs or medication requirements, make sure to be aware of those and have a written record as well. In addition, bring along a notarized letter from the parents authorizing travel with the grandchildren if you will be traveling internationally. Some countries require this and rules vary, so it is better to be safe than sorry. Take a few additional items in your carry-on luggage along with medicines and travel documents, such as a cell phone for emergencies, a change of clothes and bathing suit in case luggage is lost, and travel games and snacks for the trip. Think ahead and plan for occurrences such as air travel delays, illness, and homesickness. If unforeseen events happen, stay positive. Your grandchildren will learn important life lessons from watching you on this trip.

Make space for a few favorite items. Allow your grandchildren to bring along a few comfort items on the trip, such as a stuffed animal or blanket, books, or a portable music source with headphones. If your grandchildren usually sleep with a night light, make sure to pack one for your room. Travel backpacks and activity kits can be a lifesaver on plane and car rides. Make one easily by filling a small backpack with items such as colored pencils, story books, activity books, magnetic games, card games, travel-size board games, hand held electronic games, sticker books, non-melting crayons, coloring books, Mad-Libs, paper dolls, magic slates, small cars, finger puppets, small action figures, felt books with stick-ons, sewing cards, puzzles, pipe cleaners, and origami paper.

Capture and preserve your vacation memories. Consider giving each grandchild a journal and a disposable camera to bring along on your journey. Kids love taking their own pictures and it is fascinating to see travel through their eyes. In addition, be sure to bring along plenty of digital memory cards or film to capture every moment of your trip. Pictures and postcards can be put into a scrapbook after you return, providing a lasting keepsake of your wonderful experiences together.

©Copyright 2011. The Beacon Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Source: The Family Travel Network