Mount Kinabalu: Southeast Asia's highest mountain

The tallest peak in Southeast Asia, Mount Kinabalu is also a national park in Malaysia. Towering 4,095 metres above sea level, the mountain is in Sabah, the East Malaysian state on the isle of Borneo. The mountain is located about two to three hours away Kota Kinabalu, Sabah's capital.
 
Top 3 things about Mount Kinabalu:

1. Scenic Walk:  Take in the fresh air as you walk up and notice your surroundings change from the large tropical trees to scrubs to rock.  The whole mountain area is a national park — many flora not found at sea level are sighted here.  The large Venus Flytrap is one to look out for as you walk. You may see wildlife, too.

2. Leisure Climb: At 4,095 metres, Mt. Kinabalu is manageable for the average tourist. There are steps cut all the way up to the top of the mountain, good water supplies and rest houses. You must be accompanied by a guide when you climb, and these folks are willing to carry up to 10 kg. of your equipment up the mountain for you.

3. Sunrise: You must see the sunrise from up the top of the mountain; for many people, it may be the highlight of the climb. From Laban Rata, where you stay overnight, there is a buzz as you hike up to get to the peak by sunrise. As you are walking up, the sun just breaks through the clouds, the air is cool and the scenery 360 degrees all round is a nice reward for 2 days of climbing.

Watch out, however, for:

1. Rain: Being in the tropics, raincoats are essential to make sure you don't get drenched.

2. Mountain Sickness: To prevent this, walk slowly, especially as you get higher. You can also take measures like eating plenty of carbohydrates, drinking a lot of water and staying away from alcohol during your overnight stay.

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An Overview of Japan for Travelers

Extending along the eastern coast of Asia, Japan is a country consisting of a collection of islands. The mainland is the island of Honshu. There are three other large islands, Hokkaido, Shikoku, and Kyushu, and about 3,000 smaller islands.

Put together, the total land mass is slightly smaller than California. The geography throughout the islands is mountainous, best exemplified by Mt. Fuji at 12,385 feet.

Japan is an urban nation, with most of its 127 million people living in major cities. The two prominent religions are Shintoism and Buddhism. The belief systems are harmonious and often share the same temples.

According to legend, Japan was founded by Emperor Jimmu around 600 BC. The current emperor is a descendent of the first.

The first interaction with the West was in 1542, when a lost Portuguese ship landed in Japan. Over the next century, more Westerners came, but they were not trusted. The Japanese shoguns eventually banned all foreigners and the country remained isolated for more than 200 years.

It wasn't until 1854 that Japan opened its doors to the world under the Convention of Kanagawa with the United States. Once this occurred, Japan quickly evolved from a feudal state to a more modern society.

World War I was a boon for Japan. Fighting on the side of the victorious Allies, Japan gained new respect as an economic and military power. But, the emperor of Japan went in a different direction after the war, seeking dominance of China and Asia in general.

In 1937, Japan became an ally of Nazi Germany, eventually leading to Japan's decision to attack Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Following four years of war, the loss of 3 million Japanese lives, and two atomic bombings, Japan surrendered to the U.S. on September 2, 1945. Japan was stripped of most of its territorial holdings and was ruled de facto by General Douglas MacArthur, the Allied Forces Supreme Commander.

Following World War II, Japan turned to a democratic system through reforms. The U.S. and allies returned complete control to Japan on April 28, 1952 via the Treaty of Peace. Although its days as a military power were over, Japan once again became an economic giant. Despite its relatively tiny land mass, Japan still has the third-largest economy in the world.

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Air Travel Tips for Families

Are you taking a family vacation soon? If you are, you may be looking for some guidance, especially if you and your family are traveling by plane.

As stressful as it can sometimes be planning a trip and flying with a family, there are some steps you can take to ensure everyone has a good time.

One of the first things you will want to do is make your airline reservations early. You will likely be better off when doing so, for a number of different reasons. Perhaps the greatest reason is the comfort and peace of mind you get from knowing all of your travel arrangements are out of the way.

As for packing for your flight, you will want to make sure your children’s bags are properly packed. Not only will you want to make sure they have all the necessary supplies for your vacation, but you will also want to make sure they have items for the plane ride as well. Each person gets to have one carry-on bag. You will want to make sure that each of your kids have one.

Speaking of carry-on bags for your children, be sure to fill them will fun activities for the plane ride. What you choose will all depend on your child’s age.  

Younger kids, for example, may enjoy books and a few small toys. For older children, portable DVD players, handheld video games, toys and magazines are safe bets.

Make sure you also bring extra snacks. This is important, because you don’t want to have to spend too much money at the airport. It can get costly to feed a whole family, even just with snacks. 

For the same reason, try to have everyone eat a full meal before you leave for the airport. This step, combined with your extra snacks, can help reduce hunger, possibly resulting in shared meals during airport layovers, which can also help you save money.

As for drinks, do not bring any with you to the airport, unless you have a newborn or an infant. If you have a baby, bring a prepared bottle of formula, but make sure to have some dry formula powder with you to prepare during a layover, too.  

Drinks, with the exception of drinks for kids, are not allowed past airport security checkpoints nowadays and will have to be thrown away. When buying drinks at the airport, past security, look for items that are reasonably priced or see if some family members can share a drink.

When you arrive at the airport, stay together. Also, be sure to set ground rules with your children.  These rules should include sticking together, not speaking to strangers, etc.  

In fact, you will want to help each other out. If you have an older child, like a teenager, for example, let them help you with finding the right gate, carrying bags, or keeping younger children occupied.  Your trip will likely be much less stressful when everyone works together.

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Viva Excalibur!

If you are thinking of visiting Las Vegas on vacation, you should consider a stay at the Excalibur Hotel and Casino. This hotel will have you feeling as though you've stepped into the fairy tales of your childhood.

The hotel boasts a casino, swimming pool, links golf,  shopping, and a midway. One of the most memorable and impressive offerings is the Tournament of Kings dinner show. The show happens nightly at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. You will eat like they did in medieval times, without utensils, while watching the evil wizard Mordred as he invades the evening festivities.

The Excalibur has several other dining options, including the Roundtable Buffet, the Steakhouse at Camelot, Regale Italian Eatery, Sherwood Forest Cafe, and Sir Galahad's Pub and Prime Rib House.

And if you're looking for a fairytale wedding, the Excalibur has packages for you. You can even rent medieval costumes for your ceremony. There are many different packages available to fit various budgets and wedding needs.

Wedding packages start around $400 plus $55 for the cost of the minister to around $1,575 plus the cost of the minister. These are all rather basic packages and do not include extras such as costume rentals, extra poses for the wedding photos, or video and candle services.

Before your big day, make sure you make use of the Excalibur's spa services. Some of the spa services offered at the Excalibur include: facials, wraps, Aveda facials, and massages. There are add-on services that can be purchased and packages available.

Once you've finished getting pampered at the spa, step on over to Kristina's Salon and get primped. You can enjoy everything from manicures to full service hair-styling services. Whether you are preparing for your big day and saying "I do!" or simply for a romantic evening on the Vegas Strip, this is a great place to start.

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Travel tips to European Countries: The UK

The United Kingdom once ruled nearly the entire world a century ago. The glory might have been lost, but people are still proud of their country and heritage. The UK consists mainly of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The country is full of scenic locales and energetic cities. The UK is home to nearly two million heritage points. The capital city of the UK is London. A city beyond comparison, representing itself as an icon of diversity with people from different races, creeds and all walks of life blended into its culture. It is also home to many architectural marvels, such as London, or Tower, Bridge.

While York and Durham manifests the bygone era of country, Liverpool and Newcastle are modern industrial marvels. The scenic Lake District and Edinburgh attract tourists from all over the world.

Population & Languages

The population is around 61 million and the official language is English. Other regional languages spoken include Welsh, Gaelic and Irish.

Electricity

The voltage is 230-240 volts and the frequency is 50 Hz. The type of plug used is a rectangular blade.

Location

It is located in Western Europe and consists of islands, including the northern one-sixth of Ireland. It is 22 miles from the France border and linked by a under sea tunnel. The terrain is mostly rolling lowlands and low mountains.

Climate

It has a moderate climate, but lots of rain with around half of the year being overcast. The lowest temperatures never go below −15 °C (5 °F) and in summer the average maximum is 34 °C (93.2 °F). It also gets snow in winter and early spring.

Local Customs

The handshake is customary when you are meeting somebody for the first time. When visiting someone’s house, a small gift like flowers or chocolates is customary. Waiting until everyone is served before eating is also good etiquette. Tipping is usually 10-15% for hotels, restaurants and taxi drivers. Smoking and non-smoking areas are clearly designated.

Places to see

• London – Buckingham Palace, Hampton Court Palace, Kensington Palace, Whitehall Palace and the Tower of London
• Scotland - The Bannockburn Heritage Centre and Ben Lawers Mountains
• Wales - Aberdulais Falls, King Arthur's Labyrinth, Dolaucothi Gold Mines, Great Orme Mines, Portmeirion Village, Rhossili Visitor Centre, Taff Valley Activity Centre and TechinQuest  

Travel

• By Air – The domestic airline is British Airways, which also connects almost all major world destinations. Most major airlines connect through London's Heathrow or Gatwick airports.
• By Sea – Since the UK is surrounded by water, it has many ports. There are many ferry services operating between Europe and the UK. 
• By Rail – Trains connect ferries at Dover, Folkestone, Newhaven, Portsmouth and Weymouth, sailing for Belgium, France, Germany and Spain (you need to board at Victoria Station in London); and at Harwich, sailing for Germany, the Netherlands and Scandinavia (you need to board at Liverpool Street station). Eurostar trains connect London with Brussels and Paris through the channel tunnel, or "Chunnel."
• By Road – Vehicles can enter the UK through the channel tunnel. Cars, motorcycles, coaches, minibuses, caravans, campervans and other vehicles more than 1.85m (6.07ft) can also use the channel tunnel, as can bicycles. 

Duty Free Items

• Up to 3200 cigarettes 
• 400 cigarillos or 200 cigars
• 1 liter of spirits over 22%, 2 liters of wine or 32 liters of beer
• Perfume
• Gifts up to ₤145

Prohibited Items

Narcotics, firearms, ammunition, weapons, most meat and dairy products, eggs, plants, endangered species, fireworks, and alcoholic beverages that contain more than 60 per cent alcohol.

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Calgary Stampede: The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth

Calgary, Alberta is home to the Calgary Stampede, a 10-day rodeo and agricultural exhibition held each July that bills itself as “the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.”

The first stampede was held in 1912 and attracted almost 40,000 visitors, far more than anyone expected. Attendance at recent stampedes has topped 1.25 million people.  Stampede organizers suggest anyone who wants to attend reservations well in advance.

The stampede is famous for its chuck-wagon race, reminiscent of the races cowhands would have in celebration at the end of long trail rides.

Other rodeo events include: pro and novice bareback competitions; bull riding; saddle bronco riding; barrel racing; wild pony racing; and several roping events.

Not even nightfall slows down the stampede. When the sun sets, visitors enjoy the nightly Grandstand Show, a pageant that features Canadian performers and changes every year.

Each evening, stages all over Calgary light up with performances from country music stars, comedians, dancers and more.

The Stampede’s midway keeps growing, too, and now features more than 30 adult rides and 20 kids-only rides. Midway guests can test their skill in one of 20 or more games.

If you get hungry, you can find refreshment at one of the dozens of food and beverage vendors on the midway.

Agricultural events have been part of the Stampede since it merged with the Calgary (Agricultural) Exhibition in 1932. Aggie Days is a family-friendly look at how milk gets from cow to table, and wool from sheep to sweater ,plus other fun activities for kids.

One of the stampede’s best-known events is the Caravan Breakfast.  Each morning of the Stampede, a group of dedicated volunteers puts out a free breakfast for Stampede attendees, a tradition dating back more than 80 years.

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Toronto: City of the Arts

Toronto, Ontario is an art lover’s dream. The city, the fifth-largest in North America, is home to several major galleries and museums.

The Royal Ontario Museum is the largest in Canada, with more than 40 galleries. The museum displays art works and natural history items and has the largest collection of avian and mammalian skeletons in the world. 

The ROM’s Far East Collection, the largest collection of far eastern artifacts outside of China, is anchored by the Ming Tomb, a complete 17^th-century warrior’s tomb and the only complete Chinese tomb in the West.

The Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art was, at one time, affiliated with ROM. This specialized museum is home to more than 2,000 pieces of ceramic art. Its collection features everything from pre-Columbian pottery to classic European porcelains of the 18th and 19th centuries.

The Art Gallery of Toronto has strong collections of European and Canadian art. One of the main attractions of the gallery is its collection of Henry Moore sculptures, one of the largest in the world. Moore personally designed the exhibit space for this collection in 1974.

For more than 30 years, the Textile Museum of Canada has celebrated international fiber art. The museum’s permanent collection features more than 12,000 textiles, from pieces as much as 2,000 years old to modern designs, with samples from more than 200 regions of the world.

The Bata Shoe Museum is housed in a whimsical, shoebox-shaped building designed by architect Raymond Moriyama. The museum is home to a 4,500-piece, semi-permanent “History of Shoes” exhibit that highlights examples of footwear spanning time and the globe, from ancient Egyptian sandals to the sleekly sexy stilettos of 1990s. The Bata has three additional galleries that display special exhibits throughout the year.

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