Egypt Vacations: Enjoy Cruises in the Nile, Red Sea & Lake Nasser
December 31st, 2008 by Andrew Muigai, under Travel and Leisure. No Comments
Egypt tours with cruises on the Nile, the Red sea and Lake Nasser are some most interesting things that you can do while enjoying your Egypt vacation. Since the days of the Pharaohs of ancient Egypt, the Nile River Valley has won the hearts of millions of visitors searching for the best of Egypt holidays and Egypt vacations.
The Nile Valley allows you to enjoy the best of Nile Cruises while enjoying captivating neighbourhood and sampling best dishes of Egypt. Nile Cruises simply refer to cruise ships sailing between Luxor and Aswan. Typically, Nile cruises are three, four or seven nights long although shorter trips take a few hours to sail between Luxor and Aswan.
Egypt Nile Cruisers are often referred to as floating hotels. With such features as small swimming pools, hot bath tubs, exercise rooms/gymnasiums, small libraries, nice restaurants, and even nightclubs, the cruisers have all the amenities of land based hotels. Most cruisers operate throughout the year, though the period between October and mid April is the best time for a Nile cruise due to the fairly cool weather.
The Egyptian Red Sea is also a fascinating destination. Located between Asia and Africa, Red Sea has over the centuries attracted numerous people as it serves as a link between the East and West. The Red Sea receives thousands of scuba divers from around the world as well as visitors wishing to take vacations at the Red Sea coast.
The Red Sea’s coast stretches from the Gulf of Suez to the Sudanese boarder. The sea’s mineral-rich red mountain ranges inspired travelers of ancient times to name the sea Mare Rostrum, meaning the Red Sea. Thousands of migrating birds find themselves at the shores of the Red Sea throughout the year making it a paradise for birding enthusiasts. Red Sea has over 800 fish species, among them the deadly stone-fish and butterfly-fish.
Another natural extension to a Nile luxury cruise or any other Egypt holiday activity would be a cruise in Lake Nasser, the world’s largest man-made lake. Lake Nasser, formed after the construction of the Aswan High dam in the 1960’s, is about 498.9 km long with depths of up to 600 feet. The lake was named after after the then president of Egypt - Gamal Abdel Nasser.
One of the greatest attractions near Lake Nasser is the Abu Simbel and its two stunning temples. Abu Simbel is among the leading attractions in ancient Egypt and so are the Great Pyramids of Giza and the city of Cairo. These temples represent incredible engineering feats as they have been moved from their original sites to escape the rising waters brought about by the construction of the dam.
Lake Nasser is arguably one of the best places for freshwater fishing in the world. Nile perch and tiger fish are the popular catches there.
Traveling to and within Egypt is quite easy as numerous airlines, including EgyptAir offer flights to Egypt from various corners of the world. Most international arrivals are received at the Cairo International Airport although the Sharm el Sheik airport receives a huge number of international tourists. The map of Egypt is self explanatory but you may need to get a tour guide to take you around.
How To Make Homemade Carp Bait And Recipes For Big Fish!
December 25th, 2008 by Tim Richardson, under Travel and Leisure. No Comments
You can make carp baits as easy and simple or as complex as you want but one thing is certain and that is, for best results you need to make sure your baits are as unlikely to arouse as little suspicion in fish as possible. To do this you need to leverage the top rule with fishing bait; that of making your bait unique and different! A new different bait has the best potential to tempt big wary carp because even where a so-called food bait or nutritional biological value bait is established, once fish get hooked on it, then fish feeding behaviour on it can alter dramatically!
The purpose of a fishing bait is not to smell like a banana, nor be an eye-catching colour, nor shine in the dark like a beacon, or taste like a banquet. It is merely to get your hook in the fishs mouths for the split second it tasks to have the slightest chance of hooking a fish. Everything else is secondary. But many fishermen seriously cut their chances by using baits many others have caught fish on before, not realising how much harder fish on such baits unfortunately can be to catch; having been hooked on them previously! (So many overlook this top priority warning!) It should therefore make absolute sense that making your bait different to previously successful baits is a big key to consistent big fish success.
Many baits simply tantalise the fish and evoke a curiosity response rather than provide anything nutritional and many angler get confused thinking that baits absolutely must be an perfect square meal to get takes, but this is completely untrue. Any change you make to a bait can induce a curiosity response from a fish regardless of any other olfaction or other chemoreception stimulation which might be present in the bait. Carp feed using far more senses than merely taste and smell and all can be exploited for improved and prolonged more consistent results!
It has been said that even changing to a new flavor can improve results and this is true. Flavors are probably the most famous and popular but least understood fishing bait ingredients for thousands of fish species. They can be exceptionally varied in their contents and effects upon fish senses and how they work is often shrouded in theories and tank tests with little in common with real fishing conditions.
Your bait will have a smell and taste even though it may have had no flavors added. Every ingredient you put into a bait has some impact upon it and bait ingredients do not work in isolation but together synergistically and this is how they affect fish senses and fish digestion too. Fish are totally aware of all this and can even detect the components of flavors in their instinctive search for potential food that might provide essential dietary requirements or simply an energy requirement; energy is essential for all life. Intrinsic flavors and smells exist in baits long after our own human senses cannot detect them. Flavors will act differently in air compared to water and this is very significant for example in regards solubility, use through the seasons and rate of diffusion of attractors through the water to pull fish towards your bait.
In the case of big carp, they can be caught on baits containing strong powerful flavors or minimal amounts or none at all. The angling fishing pressure they receive 24 hours a day will often influence which approaches and which forms of flavor are more stimulatory or more repellant! But even using rubber and plastic baits will eventually be associated with previous captures and be less effective for this reason.
When you realise that carp will pick up anything between its lips to more fully sample and identify its potential a food you can understand why practically any bait will hook a carp at least once or never again. This means that fake baits are not the super baits many seem to think as over time these bait forms too will lose their initial advantages and edges through over-use and repeated capture conditioning of fish. Just by handling them you are tainting them with substances carp can detect and associate with danger if hooked on them and encountering them in the future.
So what is the translation of making a bait different in order to achieve perpetual edges over your fish especially in regards to bigger fish? The fact is there are thousands of substances to exploit and just one can make all the difference and transform your results. Put as simply as possible, fish and humans share numerous very vital processes which all relate to energy and its efficient use.
A great additive for big fish baits is betaine. This is a familiar substance for many carp anglers. But why is it special? So many substances trigger feeding or at least induce exploratory feeding behaviours. Well betaine occurs naturally in human diet and fish diet in natural foods. So it is no surprise that it is used for many vital functions roles and processes in our bodies and though not an a carp essential amino acid it is very important and vital to fish. In fact, so vital that its feeding triggering effects top that of the amino acid alanine which is a known feeding stimulant for very many fish species. The fish olfactory bulb receptor cells are especially stimulated by betaine. It was originally named betaine because it was first identified in the root crops beta vulgaris or beetroot, from which the very first sugar beets were derived from. (Sugars and sweeteners are potent carp feeding triggers.)
Betaine even rivals many essential amino acids carp require in their natural diet and its effects upon food palatability and synergistic interactions with amino acids in baits and in the carp body demonstrate how important this substance is in carp baits! Betaine is a bit like sugar and salt and even flavor components like malic acid which really intensify the effects and profiles of other substance like amino acids and other flavors etc at carp receptor sites all over its body from lips, face, fins, flanks, in the throat and gill areas and even in the gut itself. Yes betaine is a big fish substance for sure!
From the active enzymes in hemp seeds, peptides in milk powder ingredients, theobromine and polyphenols in coco, sugars, flavonoids, ketones, acids, esters and enzymes etc in real fruit juices, even salts and acids in mature cheese; these are all potent feeding triggers and attractors. Next time look at the ingredients list of a readymade meal and count how many stimulate you and how and might be fish attractors and feeding triggers to exploit in your baits. These ingredients are often included for powerful bioactive and habit-forming reasons to get you and your body to crave for more… Whether your first priority is the fishing, hunting camping or just pursuing hobbies outdoors for recreation and sport, your bait will make all the difference; so the more you know the better your results will be for life!
By Tim Richardson.
Holidays to Cuba
December 24th, 2008 by Jose Mauricio Maurette, under Travel and Leisure. No Comments
Cuba offers you bright colours, enticing tastes, joyous people, warm beaches, lovely natural attractions and fascinating cities, a great place for your holidays. This is a land of enchanting contrasts and friendly culture, inventive people whose happiness is contagious.
The Cuban archipelago consist of the island of Cuba, the isle of Youth and around 4195 other cays and islets for a total land area of 42,854 square miles (110,992 square kilometres).
Various tones of blue and green combine to form a perfect setting at each of the Cuban beaches, weather pristine or developed; warm or cool; and with golden, white or dark sand - but always enchanting and filled with legends and things to explore.
The seabed of Cuba’s insular shelf, which is 27,027 square miles (70,000 square kilometres) in size, contains areas which Jacques-Yves Cousteau (participant of the 1992 World Underwater Photography Championship) described as the most spectacular and varied on earth.
The Cuban archipelago has 525 diving sites, located in 15 important zones: Maria La Gorda, Cayo Levisa, Havana, Cayo Largo, Varadero, Bay of Pigs, Cienfuegos, Trinidad, Los Jardines del Rey and Los Jardines de la Reina, and the list goes on.
In Cuba nature holidays have all the conditions for making your stay a magical adventure. There are many kinds of nature tourism: hiking, cycling, horseback riding, spelunking , nature observation, nature photography and scuba diving in caves.
Some of Cuba’s cities are like living museums of tremendous enchantment; UNESCO has declared Trinidad, Cienfuegos and Havana to be part of the World Cultural Heritage.
These are just some reasons why Cuba can be a perfect destination for your next holidays. There is a universe of options that you can go for. If you fancy swimming with dolphins, relaxing on a beach or simple soak up the atmosphere of its vibrant cities you have that for granted.
My Favourite Games for the Nintendo DS Lite
December 10th, 2008 by Jerry Dubois, under Travel and Leisure. No Comments
The Nintendo DS Lite is a well-known handheld gaming console produced by Nintendo, delivering a one-of-a-kind gaming experience through its innovative dual-screen projection, excellent 3-D graphic display and audio system, and touch screen technology. Equipped with wireless technology, you can even get your family and friends to join in the fun. But what games are the best for this great console?
Well, let’s take a look at my top five Nintendo DS Lite games.
Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen If its action and adventure you’re after, Dragon Quest is your game. Following usual role-playing game (RPG) format, you control the Hero of the story in his quest to overcome the evil in the land. You need to solve different challenging quests and puzzles until you reach the final stage and defeat a boss. The graphics and sounds have been improved for the DS Lite release since the PS1 port, and the bottom screen is mostly devoted to the world map. You’ll be able to explore more towns via Chance Encounter mode, available through local wireless connection.
Pokemon Ranger: Shadows of Almia Starting out as a Student Ranger, capture wild Pokemon and solve puzzles and mysteries to earn rank. Capture a Pokemon by using an item called Capture Styler, which is simply drawing a circle around it with the stylus. You’ll have to fight battles by partnering up variety of different Pokemon and finish many different missions in the world of Almia in order to reach the highest rank, the Top Ranger.
Mario Kart DS Ready, Set, Go! Choose your Kart and race through 30 race courses and battlefields from the Mario Kart series. You can play as Mario, Luigi and the rest of the gang as they race through the tracks, collecting coins and avoiding Koopa shells along the way. Play in five different play modes: Grand Prix, Time Trial, VS, Battle and Mission Modes. Mario Kart also offers three various form of wireless games: two trough local networks and through the Nintendo Wifi Connection online game.
Brain Age: Test Your Brain in Minutes a Day Stretch your mental capacity. Challenge your mind through this tough puzzle video game. There will be no flashy graphics here or even a catchy tune, but through the many memory quizzes or a single game of Sudoku you’ll get hooked quite easily, as these puzzles are very challenging. Players can select between four different modes: Brain Age Check, Training, Quick Play, and Sudoku. Brain Age supports multi-player mode, and lets 15 players join in the game with one cartridge. This is one game you won’t hear parents complaining their kids were overplaying.
Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force Welcome to the virtual world of Club Penguins. Play as your favorite penguin avatar and join a secret service as an agent. You’ll be figuring out clues and solving cases of the bizarre events that occur in the island. You’ll be using various tools, vehicles and accessories to aid you out. This game supports the Nintendo DS Lite wifi connection, and gives you the option to connect to other players in a protected online community.
There are hundreds of other exceptional game titles as well, so make sure you check them out as well.
White Water Rafting In Nova Scotia: Something New!
December 10th, 2008 by George Jones, under Travel and Leisure. No Comments
Rafting on the rivers around Nova Scotia can be very different to the rafting we find in the United States of America. Nova Scotia rafting is unique in that down its rivers there can be places where tidal waves can form! At times it is even possible for waves as high as 16 feet to form around you.
There can be no doubt, some of the best rafting action can be found here. It’s no secret that when you catch the top of a high wave when rafting in Nova Scotia there’s nothing more exhilarating. At times Nova Scotia rivers have risen as much as 30 additional feet while rafters battle down them.
To say catching the top of these waves is exciting would be a complete understatement. However obviously it can be dangerous and for this reason a lot of rivers are not safe for children and or an experienced rafters.
Finding the Right Rapid for You
It goes without saying that there are going to be a range of different rapids that requires less or more experience. Some will be okay for most beginners whereas others will not.
White water rafting in Nova Scotia offers a variety of rafting packages to choose from and rafting trips which include children are generally safe and relaxing.
On the high-end if you are searching for the more aggressive rapids you should not have any problem finding good packages as well, however for most of these you will be required to be at these 12 years old. These rapids are certainly action packed, but you will still be able to enjoy a pretty awesome scenic view.
Even if you are a highly experienced rafter, Nova Scotia can truly show you something more in rafting that you may have not thought existed. There is no doubt that even a top rafter will find some of the tidal waves in Nova Scotia to be challenging and extremely enjoyable.
White water rafting in Nova Scotia can offer you a new and different experience for your nature-oriented outing. You can sightsee, relax and enjoy the ride or you can choose to hit the non-stop white water.