Yellow Buoys On West Coast Of Portugal

Yellow Buoys On West Coast Of Portugal
by: David Lumby

In December 2005 Terradaily published a report from Agence France-Presse on a scheme to reduce oil dependence in Portugal by installing a wave electricity generating farm.

“Portugal is turning to wind, wave and solar power to reduce its huge dependence on oil imports and meet its international commitments to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

The world's first commercial wave power plant is set to begin operating off Portugal's northern coast in 2006.

The wave power plant will be set up by a Portuguese consortium in the Atlantic about five kilometres (three miles) from the town of Povoa de Varzim and it will generate 2.25 megawatts of power from 2006, enough to supply 1,500 homes.

The project will use three wave power generators supplied by Scottish firm Ocean Power Delivery for eight million euros (9.4 million US dollars).

The generators look like giant floating sausages and they rock with waves, pumping water to hydraulic motors that drive generators to produce electricity.

If the initial phase is successful, the consortium said it will order 30 more Pelamis P-750 generators by the end of 2006.

The government wants waves to provide 50 megawatts of power by 2010 but experts believe the country has the potential to produce far more wave energy because it has deep waters just off its shores that generate strong swells”.

Unfortunately the experiment was not a success and the 'sausages' were quietly removed for modification. Local sources say that the swell was too great for the machines.

This trial has left yellow buoys, some with flashing lights, in the sea where the experiment took place, These buoys mark the end of the cables to the shore and an ODAS wave measuring buoy two miles to the north.

At the time of writing there is no area that is restricted to navigation.

The position colour and light characteristics are:

ODAS buoy 38,37 N 9,23 W Yellow Fl(5) Y 20s
Cable end 71,27 N 8,48 W Yellow Not lit
Cable end 71,27 N 8,49 W Yellow Fl Y 2.5s
Cable end 71,27 N 8,50 W Yellow Fl Y 2.5s

China - The Middle Kingdom

China - The Middle Kingdom
by: Josiah William

China the most populous country of the world, is officially known as the People's Republic of China (with the exception of the other state known as the Republic of China which currently governs the island of Taiwan). In economic or business contexts, "the Greater China region" informally means Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. The region has been home to a long-standing civilization comprising successive states and cultures dating back more than 6,000 years. Imperial China was one of the world's most technologically advanced civilizations for centuries. It is home to the four greatest inventions of the human civilization— paper, compass, gunpowder and printing — which eventually spread to the rest of the world.

Until the 20th century, China largely remained a coherent empire governed by scholar-officials. In 1912, the last Chinese dynasty, the Qing, fell to the nationalists under the charismatic leadership of Sun Yat-sen. In 1949 the communists declared the People’s Republic.

China's overall population exceeds 1.3 billion, which is more than a fifth of the world’s population. Officially 56 ethnic groups exist in China, of which the largest is the Han Chinese. The speakers of the various spoken varieties of Chinese all use a common written standard, "Vernacular Chinese" or "baihua", which is based on Standard Mandarin, the standard spoken language. Other than Standard Mandarin, Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghaiese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka, minority languages spoken variants are usually not written; the exception is Standard Cantonese, which is sometimes written as written Cantonese in informal contexts.

Although the People's Republic of China is officially secular and atheist, it allows personal religion or supervised religious organization. The major religions of China are: Confucianism [majority], Taoism and ancestor worship [majority], Buddhism [8 to 15%], Islam - Approximately 150 Million adherents(6% - 8%), Christianity - 5% to 8%.

China is composed of a vast variety of highly different landscapes. Principal rivers flow from west to east, since plateaus and mountains lie in the west, and lower lands on the east. The prominent rivers include Yangtze, the Huang He, and the Amur, Pearl River, Mekong River, and Brahmaputra. most Chinese rivers empty into the Pacific Ocean.

In the east, along the shores of the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea are found alluvial plains. The shore of the South China Sea is more mountainous which part is dominated by hill country and lower mountain ranges. To the west, the north has a great alluvial plain, and the south has a vast calcareous tableland traversed by hill ranges of moderate elevation, with the Himalayas, containing the highest point Mount Everest. The northwest also has high plateaus such as the Takla-Makan and the Gobi Desert. During many dynasties, the southwestern border of China has been the high mountains and deep valleys of Yunnan, which separate modern China from Burma, Laos and Vietnam.

The climate of China varies greatly. The northern zone (which includes Beijing) has a climate with winters of Arctic severity. The central zone (which includes Shanghai) has a generally temperate climate. The southern zone (which includes Guangzhou and other southern provinces) has a generally subtropical climate.

The culture of China is one of the world's oldest and most complex. China boasts a history rich in over 5,000 years of artistic, philosophical, and political advancement. Though regional differences provide a sense of diversity, commonalities in language and religion connect a culture distinguished by such universally significant contributions as Confucianism and Taoism. The mastery of Confucian texts provided the primary criterion for entry into the imperial bureaucracy.

Plan a visit to China and explore the culture. For communication needs, there are Several prepaid calling card and phone card companies are available to call both to and from China.

Australia - Down Under

Australia - Down Under
by: Josiah William

Australia, (The Commonwealth of Australia), is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the world's smallest continent and a number of islands in the Southern, Indian and Pacific Oceans. Australia is a federation of six states (New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia) and two territories (the Northern Territory and the Capital Territory, where Canberra is located). Australia has been inhabited for more than 42,000 years by Indigenous Australians.

The eastern half of the continent was claimed by the British in 1770 when James Cook, an English explorer, landed on the world’s smallest continent and claimed it for Britain. In 1788, 11 ships, with more than 700 British convicts, sailed into present-day Sydney and established a settlement in New South Wales. Five further self-governing colonies were set up: Tasmania, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia over the next century. On 1 January 1901, the six colonies federated and the Commonwealth of Australia was formed. Canberra is the capital city of Ausralia.

The current national population is around 20.5 million which is concentrated mainly in the large coastal cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide. Most of them descended from nineteenth- and twentieth-century immigrants, the majority from Great Britain and Ireland. Mainland Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders — the indigenous population was 410,003 (2.2% of the total population) in 2001. English is the official language and spoken in the home by around 80% of the population. The next most common languages spoken at home are Chinese (2.1%), Italian (1.9%) and Greek (1.4%).

The 2001 census identified that 68% of Australians call themselves Christian: 27% identifying themselves as Roman Catholic and 21% as Anglican. Australians that identify themselves as followers of non-Christian religions number 5%. A total of 16% were categorised as having "No Religion", like the country which itself doesnot have any state religion.

The countries around Australia include Indonesia, East Timor and Papua New Guinea to the north, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and the French dependency of New Caledonia to the northeast, and New Zealand to the southeast.

Australia covers a diverse range of habitats, although most of the land is semi-arid or desert. Australia's biota is unique and diverse as its extremely variable weather and geography are. In Australia about 85% of flowering plants, 84% of mammals, more than 45% of birds, and 89% of in-shore, temperate-zone fish are endemic. To protect and preserve Australia's unique ecosystems numerous protected areas have been created.16 World Heritage Sites have been established throughout the continent.

Most Australian woody plant species are evergreen and many are adapted to fire and drought, like acasias and eucalyptus. Well-known Australian fauna include the platypus and echidna, the kangaroo, koala, wombat; and birds such as the emu, and kookaburra.

The landscape varies from endless sunbaked horizons to dense tropical rainforest to chilly southern beaches. The Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef, lies a short distance off the north-east coast and extends for over 2,000 kilometres (1,250 mi). The world's largest monolith, Mount Augustus, is located in Western Australia. Mount Kosciuszko(2,228 metres (7,310 ft)) on the Great Dividing Range is the highest mountain on the Australian mainland, although Mawson Peak on the remote Australian territory of Heard Island is taller at 2,745 metres (9,006 ft). This unique geography and the biodiversity are the best attraction of Australia.

If you plan a Vacation to Australia, Several prepaid calling card and phone card companies are available to call both to and from Australia.

The "Caribbean" is Recommended as a Great Destination

The "Caribbean" is Recommended as a Great Destination - by Travelrobe
by: Mark Felix

Travelrobe has claimed that many islands in the Caribbean over the past few years have continued to expand and develop their infrastructure towards tourism, noting that St Lucia above all has embraced the void left by it's failing banana industry and despite the lack of hype, it's tourist facilities are top-notch and makes it a perfect destination.

Mark Felix, the MD says that while many of the islands including Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica continue to make their presence felt in sports and music worldwide, there are lots of unspoiled gems waiting to be discovered.

Dominica, the first thing you'll notice about this island is how intensely green the island is. Lush, steep-sided peaks rear up 4700 feet to meet cloud-capped summits that receive enough heavy rainfall to feed hundreds of mountain streams.

Grenade, is known as "The Isle of Spice" producing one third of the world's supply of nutmeg along with quantities of cinnamon, cloves, ginger, turmeric and mace, while largely dependent on agriculture, the tiny nation which includes other smaller Grenadine islands is steadily earning a reputation as a holiday destination.

The French islands of the Caribbean should not be forgotten, Martinique, Guadalupe, St Martin/St Maarten shared between the French and the Dutch since the mid-seventeenth century, the tiny island is one of the most touristed islands in that part of the Caribbean.

To add to the vast diversity of the Caribbean there is the British Virgin Islands and the US Virgin Islands with their sea-swept landscapes, historic towns, duty-free shopping and luxurious resorts, these islands bask in the combination of familiar yet exotic which makes them the most popular cruise-ship destinations in the Caribbean.

The average travel time to the Caribbean from the UK is 6-8 hours and the widely used currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar know as EC$. Sterling and the American dollar are always welcomed by the locals and the exchange rate for £1.00 is about $4.50 EC. For more information visit www.travelrobe.com destination guides.

Travelrobe provides over 30 destination guides for the Caribbean, from the Cayman Islands to Antigua the site offers recommendations on food and drink, where to go, money and costs, history and information on tours.

One draw back to booking the Caribbean year round is the Hurricane season, but there is good news because the season is predictable; Travelrobe is issuing caution when traveling between June 1 to Nov. 30.

For those customers who have not yet decided where to spend their summer holiday, Travelrobe can provide all the answers to the many questions they have and is recommending the Caribbean as the destination of choice.

To book a hotel, flight, car hire, vacation package, cruise, visit http://www.travelrobe.com

How To Get The Cheapest Hotel Room

How To Get The Cheapest Hotel Room
by: Steve Gillman

When you get off the bus in the Andean Mountain resort town of Banos, Ecuador, you'll see several people quickly moving towards you. Some of them will be the actual owners of the hotels in town, and others are working on commission. They'll all claim to have the nicest and the cheapest hotel.

This onslaught of salesmen may annoy you at first, until you realize what it means. There are vacant rooms tonight, and there is real competition! They have tipped their hands, and you are in charge now. Let the contest begin!

When my wife and I were in Banos recently, we let an older woman drag us off from the bus station. She showed us two hotels she owned, and we preferred the second. We were told the room would be $12. It was clean, with cable T.V. and lots of hot water. We offered $6 per night, paying for four nights in advance. She agreed.

The lesson is clear if you want the cheapest hotel room: Negotiate! The owner knew we were ready to walk away, and that there were others waiting for our business. Unfortunately, most owners here in the U.S. would rather let you drive away than knock five bucks off the room rate. Even here, however, we have negotiated decent discounts by paying for several nights in advance. Of course we let them know that we'll be looking elsewhere if they say no.

The Cheapest Hotel Rooms - More Tips

You can use the travel web sites to find cheap hotel rooms, but remember that they only give you rates for the hotels and motels that are in their system. I just did a search for Tucson, Arizona, for example, on several sites. One or two of the sites found decent prices on certain hotels, but I know of several nice motels in Tucson that are $15 cheaper than the cheapest rate they found. Use the internet as a place to start, or when you can't get any other information.

Get coupon books at gas stations along the highways. We've often found good deals using these, and it's rare that a manager won't honor them. Usually only if they're absolutely full will they refuse. Read the fine print, however, because they often charge more for certain dates, or for two people.

There are promotions done where if you "mention this ad" or just use the right words, you get up to 70% discount. Talk, talk, talk. Tell them if you're a member of the AARP, AAA or whatever. Tell the person on the phone that you saw an ad in the "Times," or whatever big paper they might have advertised in.

Get the receptionist to help you. Try asking what the magic words are. Some receptionists will tell you. You might also ask "What do I have to say to get the cheapest rate?" They will sometimes tell you, or suggest other options. Ask about the hotel too, of course. You don't want ANY room. You want the cheapest hotel that has nice rooms.

The Best Local Food in Kona Hawaii

The Best Local Food in Kona Hawaii
by: Joseph Trent

First you probably need to know what local food is. There are a lot of different types but I'll go over the most popular items that you will see on the menu in local Kona restaurants.

What is referred to as a "plate lunch" or "mixed plate" consists of 2 scoops of white rice, 1 or 2 scoops of macaroni or potato salad, sometimes it's a combination of both, and then Kalbi barbeque beef, Teriyaki Beef or Teriyaki Chicken just to name a few. You can order just one or all of the different meats to go with your rice and salad. Hence the name "mixed plate".

It would be a crime not to mention the Loco Moco, In case you're wondering just what is a Loco Moco, it's two scoops of rice, topped by a hamburger patty with two fried eggs on the very top and smothered in gravy, and then one scoop of potato mac salad.

One other thing about local food, white rice comes with everything. It's like the mashed potatoes of the Pacific. The locals will most always order rice with a steak instead of a baked potato for example.

OK, Now that you know what local food is, this is where to get it

Two places come to mind.

My favorite Kona restaurant for breakfast and lunch is U-Top-It. They're located at 75-5799 Alii Dr. behind Lava Java. Their teriyaki beef plate is to die for, but they specialize in pan crepes. You can pick from the wide variety of toppings they have available and design your own meal, hence their name "U Top It" or you can pick from one of their specialties like "Kanak Attack" which is Portuguese sausage, spam & onions grilled in a pan crepe and topped with fried rice and two eggs.

What's interesting about this place is it's the typical "hole in the wall" out of the way place, but the food rivals any restaurant in Hawaii. U Top It is a small mom and pop operation run by Curtis and Leslie Masuda. Curtis has been a chef at some of the most famous resorts here on the big island, before setting out on his own he was at Kona Village Resort for 10 years. If you're not familiar with Kona Village, you have to be at the top of your game to work there.

Another interesting fact about this restaurant is there were two other eateries that tried to make a go of it in this location and couldn't. Just goes to show that if you have the best local food in Kona, no matter where you are people will find you. Plus they're super nice folks to boot!

Big Island Grill is another good place for the best local food in Kona

Run by Bruce and Maile Goold, another mom and pop operation.

Located on the corner of Hanama Place and Kuakini Hwy. it's very easy to find. The Big Island Grill tends to specialize in more main stream local food like Loco Moco's for example. They don't take reservations and there is always a line to get in. You won't leave this place hungry, the portions are very large and the prices are reasonable.

Big Island Grill is another one that took over a building where two other eateries couldn't make it. Once again proving if you have the "right stuff" in the restaurant business people will flock to you.

There are other places here that serve local food, but I like U Top It and Big Island Grill for the best local food in Kona.

Historic Sandwich on Cape Cod

Historic Sandwich on Cape Cod
by: Linda Behrle

Sandwich is the first town on the Cape when you enter by the northernmost route over the Sagamore Bridge. It has an area of 44.4 square miles and had a population of 20,136 in 2000. It is the home to many historical buildings, 3 bayside beaches, the beginning of the Cape Cod Canal Bike Trail, 6 campgrounds, many motels and restaurants, and a walking trail that includes a very unique boardwalk. Sandwich is the oldest town on the Cape, settled by Plymouth pilgrims in 1637 and was incorporated in 1639.

Sandwich is one of the quieter towns on the Cape, yet it still has plenty of things to do to provide a great vacation experience. The Cape Cod Canal runs along its northwestern border and has access to the Cape Cod Canal Bike Path. The trail is a 7 mile long service road that runs along both sides of the canal from near Cape Cod Bay down to the southern end of the canal near Buzzards Bay. It is a haven for walkers, bikers, rollerbladers and joggers. The paved pathway is wide enough to accommodate two way traffic, and you can go at your own pace. Since it is adjacent to the canal, you can enjoy the ships and boats that pass by as well. The pathway starts next to the Sandwich Marina and ends near the railroad bridge. For maps and further information, visit the Army Corps of Engineers website.

Sandwich also has 3 beaches on the bay side - East Sandwich Beach, Sandy Neck Beach and Town Neck Beach. East Sandwich and Town Neck beaches offer surf chairs for handicap use and have restroom facilities, and parking. There is a unique boardwalk incorporated into a walking trail that can be accessed at the end of Jarves and Harbor Streets off of Route 6A. The boardwalk leads to one of the town beaches where you can relax and swim or walk on the beach. The town "sold" 1,700 planks to replace the original walk destroyed in a hurricane in the early 1990s. Don't forget to look down at the boards as you walk, as there are interesting messages carved into the 1,350 foot boardwalk.

There are two public golf courses in Sandwich - Holly Ridge has a par 54 course, driving range and practice facility, and Sandwich Hollows Golf Club (once called Round Hill Golf Club) offers a par 71 course.

Sandwich reveals the very beginnings of our country through old structures like the Dexter Grist Mill, the Benjamin Nye Homestead, the Wing Fort House and the Hoxie House. Museums such as the Sandwich Glass Museum, the Thornton W. Burgess Museum and the Yesteryear Doll Museum have preserved the creativity and craftsmanship of these early pioneers.

The Thornton W. Burgess Museum and off-shoot Green Briar Nature Museum are great places for families. Together they offer a wide selection of programs on a year-round basis.

The Sandwich Glass Museum displays the history of glass making and its contribution to Sandwich and the country as well as a fine collection of historical glass pieces. The museum also has glass-blowing demonstrations, a multi-media theater, contemporary glass displays and a lighting gallery.

The Heritage Museum & Gardens has many programs to offer for all ages. In addition, the museum houses exhibits featuring regional art, nature's treasures, the Cape Cod Baseball League of Fame, Marching Miniatures: Our Nation's Military traditions, Playthings of the Past, and Automobilia. There is a labyrinth on the grounds, as well as gardens to explore, too. The museum sponsors the summer concerts on Thursdays at the Band Stand (weather permitting), auto shows, children's musicals, craft classes and much more.

Be sure to visit the other historic houses and structures that show the way the pioneer settlers lived and survived during the mid-1600s.

There is a State Fish Hatchery on Route 6A heading out towards Barnstable that offers tours, as well as the Sandwich Marina on the canal near the Cape Cod Canal Visitors' Center. In the late afternoon you can often see boats arriving at the marina with their catch of the day. Along the canal there are many places to fish or watch the boats, including the boardwalk that runs right on the canal near the marina. There are rest rooms and picnic tables here, and a small playground on the loop road near the marina. For further tourist information about Sandwich you can stop by the Information Booth on Route 130 near Beale Avenue, or call 508-888-0378 or 508-888-9115.

Sandwich village center has some unique and interesting individual shops most within a short walk of each other. Stores have intriguing names such as Wicked Goods, Cotton Seeds Mercantile, The Weather Store and The Brown Jug. You can buy gifts from home decor, lightning detectors, gourmet artesian cheese and fine Beluga caviar, to onion lamps, a cast iron teapot with infuser or a handmade tile. And of course, there is always the original artwork by local artists and paintings and photographs of Cape Cod available.

Merchants Square shopping plaza is located between Route 6 and Tupper Road, and includes a modern-day supermarket, post office, chocolatier, jewelers, framing/gift/packing/shipping store, liquor store, wine cellar and a collectibles store. It also includes businesses such as an acupuncturist, music & arts store, office systems store and clothing stores.

It's easy to forget the little shops that dot Route 6A, but be sure to stop in as they often have unique items you won't find in other shops. A very detailed map of Sandwich is available in the resource area.

Sandwich offers a wide variety of lodging - from camping to luxury - with something for every budget. There are 6 campgrounds, 8 hotels & motels, and 9 Bed & Breakfasts within Sandwich. Handicap accessible lodging can be found at Dan'l Webster Inn and the Shawme-Crowell State Forest Campground. Pet-friendly accommodations are listed at Peters Pond Park (camping), and Sandwich Lodge & Resort (motel). For one of the more unusual lodging experiences on the Cape, there is the Belfry Inne - an old church that has been converted to a B&B.

>From walk-up fast food to elegant settings, you can have whatever experience you want in Sandwich for dining. From a hot dog to a sumptuous 5-course meal, you can find it here. We counted at least 27 restaurants in Sandwich. You can experience fine dining in the Belfry Inne - an old church that is now a B&B. Or how about an elegant afternoon tea at the Dunbar Tea Shop? Than there is always the relaxed and intimate luxury of the Dan'l Webster Inn. Or you might get takeout at one of the restaurants near the marina and sit and eat while you watch the activity along the canal. If you call ahead to some local seafood markets, they'll cook your lobster and have it waiting for you, too! One tip if you want good lobster rolls but don't want to spend restaurant prices - try the local grocery store in the deli or meat department.

As you can see, you don't have to venture far out onto Cape Cod to get a taste of all that it has to offer. Between the museums, beaches, shopping, Cape Cod canal, walking trails and other opportunities, you will have plenty available to do in Sandwich. And with the variety of lodging and dining establishments in town, you won't have to travel far to get "home" when you're day in Sandwich is done.

Travel to L.A.

L.A. is a great place to visit, but I sure wouldn't want to live there. Last time I found myself in LA I got pulled over for going to slow on the interstate! I was doing 5 over the speed limit and the cop pulls me over and gives me a ticket for being a hazard to other drivers who were going much faster! I couldn't believe it. So I hired an Attorney and he got it dropped for me. Worked out in the long run I guess, but it cost me a pretty penny.

Check out a good list if anyone else needs to find a lawyer:


L.A. Attorneys

Fuel costs

Airlines are starting to increase fares again as fuel prices remain at record high levels. This is not exactly a good thing for the travel industry as less people will be going on vacation to many of the great and exotic locations around the globe. Keep checking back for more travel news!

The World is a Beautiful Place

Beautiful scenery is all around us. We often want to go places exotic or far away simply because we have never been there or we think that the grass is greener on the other side. Well let me tell you, the grass IS greener on the other side. There are so many places out there that are far more wonderful than where you live, especially if you live in Kansas (trust me, I am from there).

Here is your first look into a wide wonderful world of, well, the World.


Destin, Florida