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10:30 AM | Posted by Momo

The Statue of Liberty is located on Liberty Island in the New York Harbor. To get to the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island, you'll need to take a ferry from Battery Park City or New Jersey. We've put together directions and details about the Statue of Liberty, as well as some interesting facts about the Statue of Liberty to help you plan your visit. Ways to See the Statue of LibertyIf you just want to see the Statue of Liberty, but don't necessarily care about climbing into the crown or walking around Liberty Island, there are a number of great places you can go and things you can do and see the Statue of Liberty.

• Battery Park or the Brooklyn Promenade - if you just want to see the Statue of Liberty from a distance, these are good spots
• New York City Sightseeing Cruises - nearly every sightseeing cruise offers participants a view of the Statue of Liberty, many times with a good photo opportunity as well
• Staten Island Ferry - take this free ferry to Staten Island for a great view of the New York Harbor and a chance to see the Statue of Liberty from a distance

Red Hook Fairway - the outdoor cafe at this Brooklyn supermarket offers a view of the  Statue of Liberty.

Visiting the Statue of Liberty is extremely popular with travelers coming to New York City. Especially in the summer, this can mean long waits for the ferry, but with these insider tips and advice, you can save yourself time and make the most of your visit to the Statue of Liberty.

 

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6:58 AM | Posted by Momo

One of the liveliest and happening destinations of United States of America with various New York hotels around, this city tops the priority list of almost every tourist. Situated on the three major islands of Manhattan, Staten Island and Long Island, the city topography resby the banks of the River Hudson, East River and Harlem River. This capital of the North American state of the same name offers best accommodation in the lovely hotels in New York city. The city territories are divided into five boroughs, namely Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island. With a gigantic population figure that tops the American chart, New York is a cosmopolitan in true sense where the multi-ethnicity is constituted of people from 180 different countries. Easy availability of New York hotels, new york City Hotels and hotel in New york Manhattan allures travellers more towards this “Big Apple”. The origin of this popular tag is yet clouded in dispute but every visitor to this city tends to take a better bite of it. Spread over an area of 309 square miles (800 km²), New York hotels help visitors to enjoy this epicentre of culture, leisure, finance and politics to the fullest. The economic prosperity of New York is solidified by the fact that the gross domestic product only exceeds the one of many European and Asian countries. Due to its huge collection of museums, art galleries and a jazzy and jet-setting lifestyle, tourists seem to be in awe of this city and loves flocking in over and over again. The abundance of hotels in New York thus provides a boost to the national economy. The colossal Central Park is one that provides green balance to the concrete density of the New York. Come enjoy the naivety of New York!

There are a lot of different kinds of accommodations in New York.

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1:54 AM | Posted by Momo

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11:03 AM | Posted by Momo

Here's what you need to take backpacking, where to get it from, how to pack it and how to keep size/weight down. Quite frankly, there's so much crap written on what to pack and a lot of scare mongering about taking this or that essential for fear that if left behind it could not be bought abroad. Many packing lists are aimed at mid-range travellers or are featured in travelogues as examples of 'I took this' whether or not it was useful/necessary. Stores that sell equipment, who of course want you to buy as much as possible (how often have you seen items like survival bivvi bag and stoves on their so-called travel packing lists) are also a big part of this problem. Anyone who has travelled before will feel nothing but disdain at short, ambiguous lists in travel mags, guidebooks and charlatan websites. For the record, you will have to think very hard of something not recommended on the list below that could not be bought abroad and normally much cheaper. Mosquito coils for instance appear on many lists: these are almost always available abroad and always at a fraction of the cost compared to Western countries, leaving aside that there are much better ways to tackle mosquitoes.

Clothing:

Clothes may be light, but they are also bulky, so it is advisable to take a minimum and what you do take should be of decent quality and fit for as many purposes as possible. It is best to buy a good part of the following items in a developed country, i.e. your home country or on your trip only in the likes of Australia/NZ, Japan/S.Korea, South Africa, Singapore/KL, Manila/Bangkok or the USA - to name a few (these normally work out cheaper than in the EU). With at least a few (depending on how much money you have and what trip you make, certainly if long term) sturdy items from specialist outdoor or travel clothing companies that will ensure durability and functionality. Bring clothes you are comfortable in and like! If they are light and practical all the better.

Foot wear:

Footwear is probably the most difficult area to talk about when it comes to packing and of significant influence to your trip and the size of your bag. To summarise here are your main options:

Option 1:		Option 2:		Option 3:
I am just going to a hot climate in one region (i.e. South East Asia), will not be doing any big walks and understand I must keep my feet covered with insect repellent at certain times. I'm also not too squeamish and understand that on the odd occasion my feet will be open to some less than clean streets - take only sandals. Really keeps your pack small/light and you get to wear a nice pair that support your feet and are practically uncovered walking shoes with thick soles. Your feet stay cool and you'll be wearing the same as most locals. See comment. You can always wear socks with them if your feet get too cold such as on an say air-conditioned night bus, but at almost all times it'll be too hot to wear normal shoes. If for any reason you need something formal/alternative, you'll make a cheap local purchase.		It is going to be quite cold where I am going (I am not moving around, i.e. single climate, European/N.American winter) and even with the temperature I want to trek/climb. It may also be wet - take shoes appropriate to the climate. i.e. good shoes for real cold (China or Japan in the winter) or heavily vented shoes for warmer slightly varied dry climates (East Africa). Trail running-type trainers are perfect, sturdy, light and very comfortable for walking. They are produced by most major outdoor companies and come in varying weight, waterproofing and venting. Coupling with nice thick sock such as a merino wool pair, will add loads of warmth and padding. You could purchase a new pair in any major Asian capital and/or pick up flip-flop type sandals on the way if you need them.	I am doing a trip across different climates, regions and altitudes. I like to walk and plan to trek at some stage - take both shoes and sandals. First timers and those unsure should perhaps take both, especially if they have limited info about regions and will visit more than one. Sandals should really be the light and compact flip-flop variety that can be stored easily in or on the outside of a pack, without adding too much weight. If necessary wearing the shoes (trail-running variety as per option 2) when carry your bag to keep its size down. You do not need any more footwear than this. Remember both can be bought (of limited varying quality) abroad, basic sandals being easier. Remember you could start with one or the other, get somewhere like Australia and buy more or send one pair home.

And lastly.... a rock of sense - if you feel you need heavy footwear for certain areas and are making a loop, perhaps through the capital, most guesthouses won't mind you leaving your footwear or anything else to pick up later. A good example would be for trekking in Nepal/N.Thailand/N.India. On your way south, leave your footwear in Kathmandu/Bangkok/Delhi before heading to lowland warmer areas. Chances are you will be passing through the capital again on the way to another destination or flight. The same can be done for bulky clothing needed for colder regions.

Trek-type towel:

The ones that claim to absorb 900% of their weight and are fast-drying. Viscose is one of the materials available (feel like soft, fluffy leather), but there are now many other types such as Micro Fibre (which is anti-bacterial and has a toweling feel) and your best bet is to get a recommendation from the store or website you shop at. Note that the sizes these come in are pretty small and you may need to take two if you have long hair and want one to wrap in it when wet or couple with a sarong to cover your body. You might however prefer a much bulkier small 'normal' thin cotton towel over the above mentioned travel variety as these can take a bit of getting use to. Whatever you take make sure you have some tassels on two corners of your towel in order to hang it up to dry.

 Umbrella: a light compact (micro) one. A waterproof jacket is on the whole not recommended over an umbrella in most situations (you will sweat in one, it will be bulky and a pain to repack when wet) unless doing a lot of trekking (or other activity that will means you are outside for long periods) or going somewhere you know it to be mild and likely very wet (European/NZ/North Asia winter). A waterproof jacket can be handy in a cold climate as a windproof item, but in tropical climates not so great. It's worth understanding that if you arrive somewhere like New Zealand and find continuing rain, you can buy something locally. However, if you do find it really wet, nothing will keep you 100% dry (your legs/feet will get wet) in heavy rain, such as tropical rain, and in most cases you just can't do anything, except wait for the rain to let up. Two people could share one umbrella and cheap plastic ponchos are often available to help to some extent. Do a little research and try not to end up somewhere in the wet season if you can help it, although it can have some advantages in a few cases.

Kitchen item:

 Only really useful in more developed countries where high food and eating out costs force you into self-catering. Purpose designed compact sets can be bought or the regular versions 'acquired' on the road. Actually the plastic set from your airline meal is good enough. Saves you from having to check your bag on a flight as with a pen-knife or metal versions and to access such delights as yogurts even in developing countries when you get fed up with breakfasts on offer. A lightweight (camping style) plastic bowl can also be quite useful in some cases, as it can be used, amongst other things to eat cereal in. Where food costs are quite high and supermarkets plentiful, being able to eat cereal or knock up a sandwich is a quick and cheap meal. However, somewhere like South Asia where food is cheap and supermarkets scarce, a bowl would be pretty useless and is far from a necessity anywhere. In developed countries where you can stay in hostels they normally have a full kitchen for guest use.

Sleeping bag:

Not necessarily essential, but something found to be very useful for its size, is a lightweight sleeping sack/sleeping bag liner - the best type is a silk one (these are good value in NZ, but otherwise quite expensive ,they are warmer in the cold and cooler in the heat than cotton. They also pack up a lot smaller than cotton. They're pretty tiny really - smaller than an apple, and give you peace of mind, no matter where you end up bedding down.It does get cold sometimes at night in surprising situations (i.e. deserts) - these are simply the times that you ask for extra blankets or spend that little extra on a nicer (warmer) room or wear something warm to bed. No hotel or hostel is going to let you freeze to death. Okay a train or bus might be cold at night, but a better jumper or jacket is so much more versatile than a sleeping bag that has such a limited application. In addition, a sleeping sack will give you the cleanliness benefits of a sleeping bag that is often their false selling point.

First aid and cosmetics:

Medical kit: make your own up and keep it small - just what you need to get through any bad times/emergencies until you next get to a pharmacy. Pharmacies abroad are normally excellent, easily located and 9 out of 10 times someone there will speak English, Spanish (in Latin America) or French (in West Africa). So while away or before you head off, pick up only a couple of doses/treatments of the following suggestions: Lip salve with sun protection, cold/flu pills (with decongestant), something for a sore throat, plasters (band aids), condoms or contraceptive pill (see below), antiseptic/ antibiotic cream, diarrhoea blocker, Pepto-Bismol or similar (Bismuth: upset stomach and diarrhoea reliever, pill form easier to carry), alcohol based hand-rub (or bar of soap in box), Hydro cortisone cream (2%) or something else to treat insect bites, a needle (maybe part of a mini-sewing kit) for blisters, perhaps a forehead digital thermometer and of course some pain killers. If you feel you'll need them, then to the above list you can add: anti-fungal cream, laxative travel/motion sickness pills, (on longer trips) mouth ulcer (aka canker sores) treatment (especially if taking Chloroquine malaria medication), anti-parasitic (Tinidazole for Guardia or amoebic dysentery), anti-histamine pills and syringes and needles (but don't go mad and only if really heading off the beaten track - generally these are not something you really need to carry around with you). In practice you can and will be able to buy any common medication you need and either didn't bring or need to replenish supplies. All things medical are available cheaply and plentifully on the road. There is very little point in weighing yourself down with a huge first aid kit. For example Salbutamol/Ventalin inhalers are available in major Asian cities at a quarter of European prices. The same goes with anti-malerial's in Bangkok, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam and similar.

Wash kit:

you'll need some shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant/antiperspirant and a toothbrush + razor - all of which and other such items (hair gel, conditioner, soap, etc.) are always available along the road in neat small travel friendly quantities.

If you can help it, you need have no item in your wash kit or anywhere else in your bag, greater than 50-100ml, i.e. little travel size bottles you'll find if you hunt around and certainly when travelling, that'll hold enough for a few weeks use, when at which point you can purchase more.

This makes even more sense if you plan to take your bag as carry-on on flights. As is common knowledge regulations are in force limiting you to 100ml of liquid/cream/paste per item. This bullshit which started in Europe quickly spread around the world, although outside N.America and Europe airport security isn't quite as clear and you'll see all variations of notices ranging from a total ban to limited amounts. Either way you are politely asked to declare these items as the reality is X-ray machines won't pick up the little travel sized containers it is worth taking.

Shaving cream:

The tiny bottles of Silicon based cream (non-soap) which go incredibly far are highly recommended. Don't forget nail clippers if you are away for a good while and maybe a pair of tweezers. A cover for the end of your tooth brush, to stop it messing things up when re-packed may be handy, or take a travel tooth brush that fits inside its own handle - you normally get given these on long-haul flights. Dental floss (not tape) is also often recommended since it can double as a strong thread for other jobs.Also keep a scissor.

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5:28 AM | Posted by Momo

Tourism Tourism is travel for predominantly recreational or leisure purposes or the provision of services to support this leisure travel. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people who "travel to and stay in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes not related to the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the place visited". Tourism has become a popular global leisure activity. In 2004, there were over 763 million international tourist arrivals. Tourism is vital for many countries, due to the income generated by the consumption of goods and services by tourists, the taxes levied on businesses in the tourism industry, and the opportunity for employment in the service industries associated with tourism. These service industries include transportation services such as cruise ships and taxis, accommodation such as hotels, restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues, and other hospitality industry services such as spas and resorts.

Definition One of the earliest definitions of tourism was provided by the Austrian economist in 1910, who defined it as, "bob total of operators, mainly of an economic nature, which directly relate to the entry, stay and movement of foreigners inside and outside a certain country, city or a region." Hunziker and Krapf, in 1941, defined tourism as "the sum of the phenomena and relationships arising from the travel and stay of non-residents, insofar as they do not lead to permanent residence and are not connected with any earning activity." In 1976 Tourism Society of England defined it as "Tourism is the temporary, short-term movement of people to destination outside the places where they normally live and work and their activities during the stay at each destination. It includes movements for all purposes." In 1981 International Association of Scientific Experts in Tourism defined Tourism in terms of particular activities selected by choice and undertaken outside the home environment.

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