Famous Ocean Explorers
Famous Ocean Explorers
Today the thought of yachts conjures up images of sunbathing, Caribbean holidays and luxury. But not so long ago, these vessels were the simple structures that intrepid explorers called home for many years at a time and transported people to places that they could never have dreamed existed. Yachts like the Santa Maria helped sailors find the North American continent while the Victoria was the first vessel to sail around the globe. Hundreds of years ago people were not only driven by the desire to explore the earth, but also to claim the best access to the riches of spices in the East. Many journeys ensued, with some resulting in the most spectacular and accidental discoveries. Even though every corner of the earth has now been “discovered”, man’s desire to explore the oceans has never ceased. To this day brave men and women face the swells to cement themselves in history by conquering the world’s oceans. The Forerunners of Ocean Exploration Bartholomew Dias and Vasco Da Gama The Portuguese have often been credited as some of history’s bravest explorers and the establishment of the Spice Route to India is to this country’s credit. What drove much exploration of the seas in the early years was a desire to gain the best access to the rich resource of spices in the East. In his quest to find such a route, Bartholomew Dias became the first European to navigate around the southern-most tip of Africa. It was Dias who first named the Cape the “Cape of Storms” and while the explorers did not make it all the way to the East on their 1488 journey, they have never been forgotten for their feat of being the first Europeans to sail around the tip of the African continent. Vasco Da Gama was more successful in his quest to create the best Spice Route for the Portuguese and, in 1498, reached Calicut in India. The tales of his cruel treatment of the people living in the places along the route are chilling, but his victory was claiming the best Spice Route possible in the name of the Portuguese. This sea route was far less treacherous than heading overland through Asia and gave Portugal the ultimate advantage in trade in the 15th and 16th centuries. Christopher Columbus By 1493, Italian Christopher Columbus was convinced that a quicker route could be found to the East by travelling west. What resulted was a discovery that changed the face of world geography forever. When he could not convince his own countrymen of his theory, Columbus moved to Spain and managed to convince the authorities to fund his expedition. He set sail in August 1492 and was in sight of the Bahamas within only ten weeks, which he mistakenly believed to be Japan. Further west when the voyagers reached Cuba, they were convinced they had found China and moved inland to “India”. The dark-skinned people they encountered were soon labelled “Indians” and Columbus returned to Europe victorious in his achievement of finding the quickest route to the riches of the East. Columbus returned to his East three times during the remainder of his life exploring Jamaica, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Trinidad. He died believing he had found the shortest route to the East, never knowing that he had in fact discovered something much, much more important. Ferdinand Magellan Ferdinand Magellan was not discouraged by the subsequent discovery of Columbus’ actual failure to find a westerly route to the East and set of in 1519 to prove that it could be done. Although from Portugal, Magellan undertook this journey with Spanish backing and set sail in 1519. The five ships in the party housed 260 men who had no idea where they were going as Magellan believed they would be too frightened too continue. A massive storm along the coast of South America forced the ships to seek cover and thus Magellan discovered an inlet — completely by accident. The Magellan Strait, as it is now known, offers a route through the South American continent to the Pacific Ocean on the other side. With one ship deserting the voyage, Magellan and his four other ships suffered extreme hardships on the Pacific and only 18 of the 260 men made it back to Spain three years later. The journey went through the Philippines where Magellan himself was killed in battle and on to the East where the ships were loaded with spices. The Victoria continued west and made it back to Spain, while all of the other ships were lost at sea. The westerly spice route discovered by Magellan and his crew was not used for many years, thanks to the treacherous outcome it had for the many men on board. Instead of discovering a new Spice Route, Magellan is actually credited with captaining the first circumnavigation of our globe, a more impressive feat by miles. Modern Ocean Explorers Ocean exploration has never stopped since the great explorers of the 15th and 16th centuries, but has simply evolved to become more in depth, competitive and adventurous. By the beginning of the 20th century, most of the earth’s waters had been explored and ocean travels became more about setting records than discovering new places. The year was 1895 when American Joshua Slocum set out to become the first man to sail solo around the world. He sustained himself during the three year trip by stocking up on supplies from islands along the way and his safe return home in 1898 cemented his place in the history books. The next person to better this record was Sir Francis Chichester in 1967 who managed an around the world feat that only required one stop in a year long trip aboard Gypsy Moth. It was a fellow Briton, Robin Knox-Johnston who, twelve years later, managed to finally circumnavigate the world without stopping — in a lightning fast 312 days. In 1988, Kat Cottee became the first woman to sail solo and non-stop around the world in an improved time of only 189 days. To date, the fastest solo trip every recorded to circumnavigate the globe occurred as recently as 2008. Francis Joyon, a 51 year old Frenchman, climbed aboard his 98ft fire-engine red trimaran Idec and reappeared around the world just 57 days later. This took a massive 14 days off the previous record which was held by the fastest female sailor in the history of yachting, Dame Ellen McArthur.
Find out more about some of the spectacular yachts sailing our oceans today, many of which are available to buy or charter. http://www.ypi.co.uk/
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Varietys the very spice of life wrote 18 th century poet and hymn writer William Cowper. If thats…
How To Cope With The Effects Of Jetlag
Jetlag, also referred to as desynchronosis, is an unpleasant aspect of traveling but one which is ultimately unavoidable. Considering the amount of time zones worldwide, there is a good chance that one will cross at least one time zone during their flight. Jetlag has been known to cause insomnia, anxiety and nausea, but the most common symptoms are feelings of disorientation, grogginess and fatigue. Jetlag can last for the duration of the trip, or for several days after you have returned. Although jetlag affects millions of individuals worldwide, there are techniques which can minimize its impact. The first step is to understand why the body is affected by jetlag. With this knowledge, individuals who take flights will be better prepared to cope with the symptoms jetlag brings on.
Why the Body is Affected by Jetlag
Jetlag is experienced by travelers because the body cannot properly adapt to a different time zone. Some individuals have more pronounced symptoms of jetlag than others. As a result of a long flight across multiple time zones, the confusion the body experiences due to jetlag stems from two main differences: one, differences in the schedules of bodily functions such as appetite, rest and thirst, and two, differences in the body’s access to light and darkness. Younger people tend to adjust better and more quickly to the change in time zone, but, again, it all depends on the individual. Still, some young people experience jetlag while some older individuals may not be affected as much.
Jetlag interferes with normal circadian rhythms. This is a fancy way of referring to your internal clock that wants to be awake when it is light out and sleep when it is dark out. Any adjustment to your circadian rhythm will have an adjustment period. Getting out in the sunlight can help you to reset your circadian rhythms. Your body takes its cues from the cycles of light and dark so give it the appropriate cues. The sooner your body is exposed to the new light and dark schedule, the sooner it will adjust to the new time zone.
Jetlag also occurs due to an imbalance in the hypothalamus. Ordinarily, the hypothalamus maintains a balance of glucose and hormonal levels, as well as body temperature and blood pressure. The hypothalamus can be thrown off balance by drastic changes in light and darkness brought on by a sudden shift in time zones. As the eyes do not receive an anticipated amount of light, the brain transmits a signal to the hypothalamus that is off schedule with its normal functions.
If jetlag has affected you in the past, there is a good chance the symptoms will return. This can pose a problem to an individual who either wants to visit a distant location for pleasure, or must for business. If the trip has to be taken, it is a good idea to add a few days to the trip in order to adjust to the time changes. You will want to maintain a regular sleep schedule so that your body will have a chance to adjust to its new schedule. Constant changes will prolong the adjustment. You may want to save certain activities until the end on your trip so that you will have had time to adjust. That way you can enjoy the full experience or be ready for an important meeting without the symptoms of jetlag.
How to Lessen the Effects of Jetlag
Besides adding extra days to your itinerary so you can adjust in time for the main part of your trip, there are other, more practical ways to cope with jetlag. You can start making changes to your sleep schedule before you go on vacation so that each night you are sleeping closer to the time that you will be sleeping on your vacation. With less of an adjustment left to make by the time you arrive, you will experience less jetlag symptoms. Also, this may seem obvious, but you do not want to have caffeine for three or four hours before you plan to go to sleep. Caffeine is a stimulant and can interfere with your sleep cycle.
Exercise is essential as well. Everyone knows that staying in shape has a multitude of benefits. One such benefit is that the stamina gained from exercising can help you deal with jetlag. The better shape you are in, the more resilient your body will be when it is thrown off schedule by traversing multiple time zones. However, it is a good idea to refrain from intense exercise before bedtime. This can interfere with your sleep as much as caffeine.
Consuming alcoholic beverages a few hours before sleep can heighten the effects of jetlag as well. Alcohol causes dehydration, can amplify the need for sleep, and can cause an upset stomach as well. For these reasons, alcoholic drinks should be avoided before during or after a flight. By doing this the effects of jetlag can be marginalized.
Jetlag is a fact of life for travelers, but there are ways to lessen its effects. By giving your body plenty of sunlight, staying in shape and avoiding caffeine and alcoholic drinks, you can minimize the effect of jetlag on your vacation or business trip. Knowing that you can do something about jetlag will help you sleep well at night, and make you better prepared to cope with the effects of jetlag on your next trip.
Lisa Parker is a freelance writer who writes about topics and tips involving the travel industry and vacation deals, often discussing specific subjects such as hotels and cheap flights at http://www.flightcentre.ca/flights/.
Top 10 Tips For Vacationing On An Adventure Tour
Adventure tours are becoming an increasingly popular alternative to a traditional vacation. Travelers have found that adventure tours break up the monotony of visiting just one location on a trip. By visiting numerous locations, most of which are breathtaking landscapes or vibrant cities, an adventure tour can making an entire vacation an experience to remember. Many adventure tours include hiking and camping, and some even feature white water rafting or ocean kayaking. Since an adventure tour is not your ordinary vacation, there are a few things that you should keep in mind when venturing out on one. Here are the 10 most important tips to remember when setting out for your adventure tour vacation.
#1 - Be Prepared
Many of the places that an adventure tour can take you will put you out of the range of most cellular phones, so it is important that you prepare yourself ahead of time. Make sure that you travel with a fully-stocked first aid kit, complete with epinephrine and a snakebite kit. Training classes in CPR and first aid can be useful as well, and are generally offered by the local Red Cross or other civic organizations throughout the year. If you or anyone in your party requires medication, make sure that you have enough for the entire trip. Carry a list of all allergies that your party members have as well as all of the medications that everyone takes so that it can be provided to medical personnel if needed.
#2 - Don’t Forget the Sunscreen
While most people can get a sunburn and have it be a minor inconvenience, you will likely be spending most if not all of the day outside when on an adventure tour. Severe sunburns can lead to infections or other threats, and can also greatly increase your chances of getting several types of skin cancer. Make sure that you choose a waterproof or sweat proof sunscreen to keep it from getting washed off, and reapply it several times throughout the day.
#3 - Review the Tour Information Before You Set Out
Not only can reviewing the tour information help you to be more prepared for what you will face on your adventure tour, but it can also give you an idea of some of the things to be looking for. Many wonders may go unnoticed if you are not looking for them while on your tour.
#4 - Listen To Your Tour Guide
When travelling with a tour guide, make sure that you pay attention to the things that they say. This can not only enrich your tour experience but can also help you to avoid dangerous situations. A tour guide or tour coordinator is one advantage of taking an adventure tour rather than venturing to these locations on your own. The tour guide should be well versed on the locations you are visiting and has been trained to both add information and an element of safety to the vacationers on the adventure tour.
If an Adventure Tour Requires Experience, Make Sure That You Have It
Some tours are perfect for everyone, while others may require that you have a certain level of experience with hiking, rafting, or other activities. Make sure that you meet the requirements or you may be at risk of injury.
#5 - Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of water while on your adventure tour, as it can be very easy to become dehydrated when out in the sun or doing physical activities. Make sure that you avoid caffeine and alcohol, as these can speed up dehydration.
#6 - Be Careful What You Eat and Drink
Only eat or drink from the wild when you absolutely know that it is safe to do so. There are a number of poisonous berries and plants which look perfectly harmless at first, and open water can contain a number of harmful microbes. Your best bet is to make sure that you have plenty of food and water in your pack.
#7 - Be Wary of Wildlife
Wildlife can be beautiful, but you should make sure that you give it the respect that it deserves. Not only are wild animals unused to human contact and may attack if provoked, but some animals can carry diseases which can be very dangerous. Likewise, many foods which are processed for human consumption can make wild animals very sick. Admire wildlife from afar to keep both you and the animals safe.
#8 - Be Respectful of Your Environment
Ideally, when an adventure tour group passes through there will be little or no signs that they were there. Avoid leaving litter behind or causing unnecessary damage to the environment as you pass through so that other tour groups will be able to enjoy the scenery as well.
#9 - Don’t Take Unnecessary Risks
It’s easy to get caught up in the adventure aspect of an adventure tour, especially when your days consist of activities such as rock climbing and white water rafting. Remember to keep a level head and don’t take unnecessary risks, since these risks can lead to serious injury if you aren’t careful.
#10 - Take Pictures!
An adventure tour is truly a memorable experience. Whether you are traversing a narrow path down the Grand Canyon, hiking through the French countryside, or experiencing a safari in Africa or Australia, take a camera! Send the pictures to friends and family, or keep these memories for yourself. Either way, you will ensure that the incredible sights you have witnessed will stay with you forever.
Mike Cole is a freelance writer who writes about the travel industry and vacation deals, often focusing on specific tour vacations such as adventure tours at http://www.flightcentre.ca/tours/.
What To Do If You Miss Your Flight
Traveling by airplane is quicker and more efficient than traveling by car, but that does not mean that you will not run into problems. Probably the most common problem, as well as the biggest headache, is a missed flight. A missed flight causes a variety of problems. If it was a connecting flight, you will likely miss all of your connections as well. The airplane has to fly with an empty seat, which they do not like, and, often, your bags will not miss their flight, and will arrive at your destination without you.
What should you do if you miss your flight? The very first thing that you should do is head to the reservation desk. Tell the clerk that you have missed your flight, and do not leave until you have a plan, in writing, for how you will continue your trip. If missing your flight was your own fault, you may expect to pay, if not the full ticket price, then a penalty on a reissued ticket. If you miss your flight because your connecting flight arrived late, the airline will work with you to get you in the air as soon as possible.
In most cases, the airline will put you on the next available flight, with their airline. In some cases, particularly if there is a chance that you can catch a further connection, or the next available flight is not until the next day, the airline may put you on the next available flight with a different airline. Either way, do not leave the area until you know what flight you will be on, and when it departs.
Why Miss a Plane?
One may miss their flight because of a variety of reasons; some cannot be helped while others are just a mistake. It is rare that you miss a plane because of traffic or oversleeping. Most missed flights occur in connecting flights. Often, the layover time between connecting flights is not sufficient to allow the passenger to disembark and find the terminal for his departing flight. Many airports are large, and for someone who does not travel a great deal, can be confusing to navigate. Once they arrive at the correct terminal, they must still go through security.
Another reason for missing connecting flights is if the plane experiences mechanical difficulties. It is common for a plane to sit on the tarmac, passengers on board, while mechanics work to repair a problem on the plane. In this case, the passengers who have a limited amount of layover time may not make their connecting flights. Sometimes, if many of the passengers on board are in danger of missing their connecting flight, the connecting flight may be held, but, as you can imagine, this creates another set of problems on the arrival at the next airport.
Weather is another cause of missed flights. Sometimes a plane is held and not allowed to take off because of lightning or heavy winds. Other times a plane may be held while it is deiced. Even if a plane makes it into the air, strong winds or turbulence can slow the plane down in flight, causing is to arrive behind schedule.
Mechanical problems are clearly the responsibility of the airline, but weather conditions and tight layover scheduling are not, and the airline may be less accommodating of problems relating to weather or scheduling than they are in problems related to mechanical issues.
Where are Your Bags?
While you may have missed your flight, it is unlikely that your bags did. They are probably tucked safely away on your original flight. If your arriving flight was delayed long enough that the connecting flight left before your plane arrived, you may be able to collect your bags, but this is not typically how it happens. People are often in the airport when their flight leaves. If you have departed from your plane, but do not make it through security before your connection leaves, there is a good chance that your bags were transferred and are on your original flight. This is one of the reasons that you should always carry any medication as well as a change of clothes with you in your carry on. While the chances are good that you will be reunited with your bags in the future, that will not make you feel any better when you are sitting in the airport lobby, waiting for dawn and the next flight out.
Minimize Your Chances of Missing Your Flight
The best way to minimize your chance of a missed flight is to allow plenty of time between connecting flights. While no one wants to spend all day in an airport lobby, you should ask the ticket agent for enough time to disembark, visit the restroom and make it to the next terminal. The larger the airport you are flying into, the more time you should allow, as moving from terminal to terminal can take a considerable amount of time. While you cannot control the weather or the mechanics of the plane, you can make sure you have amble time to make your connection.
Brian Jenkins is a freelance writer who writes about topics and tips involving the travel industry and special deals, often discussing specific subjects such as cheap flights at http://www.flightcentre.ca/flights/.
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Make The Most Of Layover Time Between Flights
For the frequent flyer and the occasional traveler alike, layover time is both an unfortunate occurrence and a fact of life. These hours can be empty and mindless or they can be used productively, or, at the very least, in a way that makes time go faster. So, how do you spend the hours while waiting for your flight? With a little creativity, this once wasted time can become time well spent.
A Time to Relax
Perhaps you are looking for a calm, relaxed way to spend your layover time. If this is the case then you have many choices. Besides sitting around watching the planes take off, you can listen to some music. Portable mp3 players and other forms of listening devices have made carrying around an entire library of music very manageable. Listening to your favorite songs is a nice relaxing way to spend your time in peace.
People watching is a great way to spend time during a layover as well. As a meeting place for individuals from various countries and regions of the world, an airport is an ideal location for people watching. This is a favorite hobby of many travelers. Watching people, wondering where they are going and for what reason can pass the time in a fun way.
You could spend your time enjoying a book or magazine. This is the perfect chance to catch up on some of your pleasure reading. Books that have either been given to you as a present or you yourself have purchased provide a great way to spend layover time between flights. If you did not pack any reading materials, you can take a stroll through the terminal and visit some of the airport’s stores. Peruse the reading materials at newsstands until you find something of interest. Layover time can be well spent by doing some window shopping. Most major airports have many great stores offering a wide range of products.
A More Technological Approach
If you are travelling, it is important to have your cell phone fully charged. If your cell phone is not charged, take the time available during a layover to charge your phone and any other electronics you are carrying with you. Time spent during a layover is an ideal time to catch up on all the conversations you have been putting off, or did not have the time to make. Take advantage of the time available during a layover by catching up with friends and family that you have not spoken with in a while.
For a more solitary, although just as entertaining approach, you could bring along a portable DVD player and enjoy your favorite movies. A portable DVD player usually costs between $100-$200 but in a situation such as a layover, it is money well spent. The television sets in the airport tend to be tuned to news shows. If that does not interest you, or cannot sustain your interest, a portable DVD player is a great solution. Plug in some headphones and escape into a great movie. Don’t be surprised if you see some other people watching along with you, envious of the entertainment options you have brought along.
If There Is Work to Be Done
For those individuals who have a laptop computer, a layover is the great time to catch up on any work-related reading or projects which can be accessed via a laptop. Nowadays, many airports offer wireless internet access, and also several outlets which can be used to either to charge or power-up a laptop computer. Any work which can be completed in the airport during a layover is work you will not have to do later. You can surf the web for business or go to any other sites you choose. You can surely find something to keep yourself occupied with for the duration of your layover.
You have time on your hands; why not make the most of it?
Layovers can be viewed as a waste of time or as an opportunity. The list of activities you could engage in during a layover is practically endless. Capitalizing on the time available is an opportunity to take care of tasks otherwise put off. Tasks for business or for your personal life can be achieved during a layover. Get ahead at work by taking the time available during a layover to complete important assignments. Buy presents for the holidays or for a birthday coming up. Of course, if you are tired or do not feel like doing any work, the time available during a layover is perfect for simply relaxing. Listening to your favorite songs or watching some great movies will no doubt speed up the time between flights. Use your imagination and take advantage of the time available in the way which pleases you most.
Lisa Parker is a freelance writer who writes about topics and tips involving the travel industry and vacation deals, often discussing specific subjects such as hotels and cheap flights at http://www.flightcentre.ca/flights/.
An adventure tour is not your typical vacation. As indicated by the name, an adventure tour includes an element of excitement and exploration. For most travellers, the adventure lies in the destinations, the activities, and the tour group that you go with. A properly planned adventure tour can be a once in a lifetime experience. Taking adventure tours is part of a growing trend for those who want to get more out of their vacations than simply sitting on the beach. Many individuals in today’s world engage in regular exercise and other “extreme sports”, and are also interested in the culture and landscape of a foreign country. For these vacationers, a basic trip to a tropical island will just not do. If you mountain bike, mountain climb, or white water raft in your free time, why not incorporate that activity into your vacation? All of these exciting elements are combined in an adventure tour.
Choose Your Own Adventure
The extreme differences and varieties of landscape and climate of the four corners of the Earth come to life on an adventure vacation. At the heart of the adventure tour is the location or locations visited on the trip. Different people see different activities as adventures, so there are many options on an adventure tour depending on the traveler’s interests. Other vacationers can handle only a certain amount of activity, so that has to be taken into account as well.
In most cases, an adventure tour includes physical exertion of some kind. This type of adventure tour can include hiking, bicycling, kayaking, canoeing, and any other physical activity that you can think of, even ice climbing. Of course, all of these activities are enriched by the locale. White water rafting in the same old rivers in your home state can become ordinary. What better way to revitalize your interest in this extreme sport by travelling to New Zealand and trying you skills down a brand-new set of waterways.
Other adventurous souls who may desire a bit less physical exertion can still travel to exotic locations and experience the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and everything else that their chosen destination or destinations has to offer. They can still enjoy the complete experience of taking in all that a city or country has to offer. This type of adventure tour usually involves cultural traditions, such as taking part in an ancient ceremony in Mexico.
See and Do More
A good part of the adventure tour is spent travelling so that more ground can be covered. So many sights and highlights can be caught and experienced along the way that a simple trip can seem to encompass what may have taken multiple vacations to cover.
The advanced planning that an adventure tour includes allows for much more to be fit into each day than would be covered by a more relaxed and pampered. As you keep moving from stop to stop, you can see more of the state or country that you are visiting.
On an adventure tour, you may even be able to move from country to country, such as in Southeast Asia or Africa, to sample all of the radically different cultures that share borders. Any nomadic, adventurous spirit would feel right at home traversing a multitude of nations on one adventure tour. Upon their return, travelers often report feeling that they feel as if they have experienced several vacations instead of just one. A traditional vacation may scratch the surface of a destination, but an adventure our thrusts you into the heart and soul of a foreign land.
Strangers and Friends
An unforeseen benefit of an adventure tour is that you experience these exotic locals with a group of other people. They can come from different areas, from different backgrounds, and, consequently, from radically different lives. You are all brought together to experience something special on an adventure tour.
As you share experience after experience you bond within your own little group. You get the chance to share new experiences with people from different backgrounds, seeing how they react to the world you are discovering together. It has been said that you cannot understand this aspect of an adventure tour experience until you have lived through it. A great group of people travelling the world together can take an already amazing experience to new heights.
Adventure tours are an experience unlike any other. They take the time that you would spend on a traditional vacation and offer you an unparalleled chance for excitement and adventure. The great diversity and variety of an adventure tour ensures that there really is something for everyone. On an adventure tour, no two experiences are exactly alike. The chance to take such a tour is a once in a lifetime opportunity but requires you to answer yes to a very simple question. Would you like to have an adventure?
Mike Cole is a freelance writer who writes about the travel industry and vacation deals, often focusing on specific tour vacations such as adventure tours at http://www.flightcentre.ca/tours/.
