Romantic South India

June 18, 2017 by Leave a Comment

South India offers many romantic destinations for travelers. Although traveling to Agra in the north of India is a must for those who want to see the Taj Mahal, many lovers prefer the delightful southern vistas of Kerala, Goa, Lakshadweep Islands, Kodagu, and Ooty.

Planning a first trip to South India can be overwhelming because there’s so much to see and do. India tours can help you explore South India on a schedule without sacrificing access to must-see destinations.

India’s Spice Coast

Kerala is known for its leisurely vibe. There are miles of dramatic cliffs and beaches traversing the Arabian Sea coast. Explore the island network by boat, hire an elephant to trek by day, or watch theyyam processions that take place here.

The history of Kerala is entwined with its commercial past in the spice trade. Known as India’s “Spice Coast,” travelers and traders from Greece, Rome, China, and Europe came to Kerala to buy precious spices. Cinnamon, turmeric (the gold spice), cassia, peppers, cardamom, ginger, and other spices prized by cooks everywhere were introduced to the world in Kerala.

Today, the crossroads of culture from centuries past are observed in Kerala’s literature, architecture, and cuisine.

Tropical Paradise

Goa is one of South India’s most popular destinations. It’s called India’s “Tropical Paradise” because white sands, palm trees, and clear blue waters are the ideal backdrop for romance. Goa’s atmosphere is relaxed. Delicious floral scents infuse the air.

Some of the most popular sites include Corjeum Fort, a small inland fort surrounded by Goan greenery. Cabo da Rama, derived from the “Ramayana” of Hindu, predates Portuguese rule in the area. It’s one of the oldest structures in Goa. Don’t forget to visit the Usgalimal rock carvings. A team of archaeologists believes the carvings date to the Mesolithic Period—they’re older than Egypt’s pyramids. Since the carvings are submerged in monsoon season, casts are preserved in Goa’s museum.

Lakshadweep Islands

Derived from the Sanskrit word for “100,000,” the Lakshadweep Islands number just 36. Ten of the islands are inhabited. Just 5,000 people live in Kadmat year-round.
Go here to relax. You can literally get away from it all on your romantic getaway journey. There are no tourist traps or souvenir stands here.

Kadmat is the center island in the Lakshadweep Islands archipelago located off of Kerala’s coast. Numbers of visitors at any given time are low. Kadmat is in fact the only island in the chain that’s open to non-Indian travelers. The maximum capacity at the resort is only 50 guests.

It’s not easy to get to Kadmat, but it’s well worth the effort. An overnight ferry from Cochin, the main city of Kerala, or a flight from Agatti Island in Cochin are the only two options to reach Kadmat.

Make sure to snorkel or see the ocean in a glass-bottom boat. Delicious coconut curries and fresh fish dishes are uniquely Lakshadweepi. Because Katmat is a Muslim island, visitors can’t drink alcohol here. Nightlight is limited as well.

Dive to see local box fish, reef sharks, green turtles, lionfish, eagle rays, and others. Snorkel in the shallow lagoon to inspect thousands of coral reefs.

Kodagu – Coorg

Kodagu, also known as Coorg, is found at Kamataka’s southernmost edge. It’s known for thousands of hectares of plantation lands on which coffee and spices are produced. More than 1000 clans of the Kodava people live here. The cool climate and uneven terrain make Kodagu the perfect plane to birdwatch or take photographs. Climb Tadiyendamol or Pushpagiri to view the area from above or visit local coffee and spice plantations.

Ooty

Ooty looks down from the top of the Nilgiri hills. Brilliant emerald rainforests and waterfalls make Ooty a lover’s paradise. Stroll to Ooty Lake, the Rose Garden, or the Botanical Gardens to enjoy the local flora. Climb the peaks of Kodanadu or Dodabetta to view the amazing landscapes below. If you’re adventurous, enjoy hang gliding and extreme sports offered in the area.

Before You Travel

If you’re planning to visit South India, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention reminds you to get updates for hepatitis A, tetanus, typhoid, and polio vaccinations. In addition, ask your doctor about vaccinations for encephalitis, cholera, hepatitis B, diphtheria, and rabies. Avoid mosquito bites in South India because malaria is spread by these insects.

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Packing Your Suitcase For The Sunshine State?

June 18, 2017 by Leave a Comment

Heading to Orlando, Florida this summer? No doubt you and the kids are eager to check out the new Avatar Land in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Or perhaps, you want to test out the water rides at the incredible Volcano Bay where queues haven’t been invented yet. You can read more about what I’m talking about on www.themeparktourist.com. Either way, you need to make sure that you do have everything in your bag for the trip. So, what will you need when you take an adventure to the sunshine state this year?

A Poncho

If you’re heading over around June-August, and most people do because that’s when schools are out, you’ll definitely need to get yourself a poncho. This lightweight rain coat will definitely come in handy when the heavens open up. Disney do sell them in the park, as do the other major theme parks. But you should still take one yourself because you can get them at low prices online. You need one for each member of the family. You might be thinking, with the high temperatures, what’s the point? You’ll dry out soon enough. Well, the rain storms can last at least an hour, so it’s up to you whether you want to spend the day soaked.

Silly, Floppy Hats

Yes, you should also think about getting each family member a rather uncool, floppy hat. Particularly, if you’re from a region where the sun is kind of a legend. You know it’s there, but there’s only one person in your village that has actually seen it. Floppy hats will keep the face and neck safe from the sun’s powerful rays. Of course, you should also take some volume 50 suntan lotion. The stronger, the better. Don’t forget, with sites like www.couponsherpa.com, you can get 70 percent off everything that you need for summer. So, you shouldn’t worry too much about these purchases eating into your holiday budget.

Theme Park Tickets

If you’re planning on hitting all the theme parks, it’s best to pick up tickets before you go to. You can get great deals, particularly, if you’re staying at one of the hotels offered by the theme park. They’ll give you fantastic discounts so you can get 14 days in each theme park. Now, you’re probably not going to stay in Florida for over a month. But with flexi tickets like this, your travel plans are, well, flexible. Oh, and if you are going in the middle of summer, do make sure you check out the Fastpass options. Otherwise, you’ll spend the entire day queuing and you don’t want that.

Water Fan

Remember that hot weather? Well, you’ll find life is a lot easier if you have a water fan. This helpful device sprays water into your face which is a lot more refreshing and a lot less annoying than it sounds. Particularly if you get stuck queuing outside for a must do ride. Yes, it does happen. Just ask the people who queued for five hours to get on the Frozen ride for two minutes when it first opened!

I hope this helps you pack your suitcase for Florida and I’m you will have a wonderful time there with the whole family.

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Circle with Disney

June 17, 2017 by Leave a Comment

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.

Internet security at home can mean a whole plethora of topics, from keeping viruses and malware out to keeping out hackers and such as well.
There is also a need for software to help monitor and control both content and surf time.
There is a nifty new device which is just about plug and play easy to install and will help not only filter but also sets time limits, sets a bed time and you can pause the internet with the touch of a button, amd it is called the Circle with Disney.
The Circle is an internet device.  Not a router but a device that connects to your network and helps you manage it safely and securely.  Circle is a combination of the network device and the iOS or Android software which lets you interface with the device and change its settings on the fly.  All of these settings are easy to change on an individual basis per device.  Anything that connects to the internet through your router is able to be monitored and settings applied to them, from video game consoles, to tablets and phones.  There is a monthly service available that expands further onto devices when they connect to other networks or wireless date networks.
The big key components are Time Limits, Filter, BedTime and Insights.
Time Limits set daily limits per family member on any platform.  Even having the ability to set a total online time per day limit.
Filter.  This has four levels of preset ages.  That can be customized per internet item.
BedTime makes sure no one sneaks a tablet to bed with them, or plays on their game-boy all night.  Making an on and off time for internet access which can cover the whole night.
Insights lets you see where your family is spending most of its time by internet device or person.

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48 Hours in Dublin: Everything You Need to Know

June 16, 2017 by 4 Comments

Are you about to visit Dublin? Well, if so (or even if you’re just considering visiting Ireland’s charming capital city), you’ll be pleased to know there’s plenty to see and do. Here’s how to spend 48 hours in Dublin, squeezing in some of the best sights, sounds and tastes the city has to offer…

How to get around

Like most old cities, Dublin is pretty compact, which means there’s a great deal to explore and enjoy on foot. But Dublin is best seen (especially over the course of a couple of days) if you make full use of the excellent public transport on offer. Buy yourself a pass for the Hop-on Hop-Off Tour Bus, making the most of the on-board commentary (where you’ll learn lots about the city) and hop on and off the service all around the city as many times as you like. The two-day ticket is well worth the money and will ensure you can access all the things you want to experience while you’re in Dublin.

Where to eat

There are plenty of delicious dining options in Dublin, from places serving traditional food such as Trocadero (with belly-warming dinners including beet-cured salmon and sticky date pudding), to those who are experimenting with Irish cuisine with a French twist, such as Chapter One. Make the most of having 48 hours to spend in a coastal city by sampling some of the finest fish and seafood in Ireland: Cavistons is famous for its food, and if you’re lucky enough to grab one of their limited number of tables, you’re bound to enjoy a mouth-watering fish supper. Or, the Winding Stair is an excellent restaurant if you really want to sink your teeth into traditional Irish dishes and you’ll enjoy beautiful views across the river too.

Where to stay

If you’ve booked your hotel through a provider like Travel Republic, you’ll have already chosen a lovely place to stay. But if you’re still at the stage of looking around, narrow your search for accommodation depending on what your priorities are. You can get highly rated hotel rooms in the centre of Dublin, just a short walk away from all the tourist attractions, bars and restaurants, as well as more affordable options that are a little further out from the centre but located along good transport links.

What to do

Don’t be afraid of doing the ‘typical tourist’ things while you’re in Dublin – after all, they’re popular for a reason! For example, Kilmainham Gaol is well worth exploring with its permanent exhibitions featuring leftover belongings from the jail’s inhabitants, and you’ll hear about the trials and tribulations of the prisoners and the crimes they committed to earn themselves the title of inmates. The ‘last words’ exhibition (displaying the last letters and personal belongings of the 14 executed leaders of the Easter Rising in 1916) is fascinating too.

Also, the Guinness Storehouse is worth getting around to see, and you’ll enjoy a complementary pint in the Gravity Bar if you book onto a tour. Be sure to pull up a stool somewhere in the Temple Bar – the atmosphere in this part of the city is buzzing and popular with locals and tourists alike.

Finish your stay with a trip to Trinity College (the library is on a par with the beautiful libraries at Oxford and Cambridge), or pay a visit to Dublin City Gallery (home to a world-class collection of art) and St Patrick’s Cathedral (Ireland’s largest church). If you’re interested in art and architecture, you’re bound to be impressed.

So, are you looking forward to spending 48 hours in Dublin now that your mind is buzzing with suggestions?

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What Should I Know About Visiting Singapore?

June 12, 2017 by Leave a Comment

There is no such thing as a trip to south Asia without a stop in Singapore. With just one visit, you will easily see why it is one of the most popular retirement destinations in the world. It has also become the favorite place for many students and young adults wanting to spend a year or two living abroad.

Despite its population of over 5 million people, Singapore is one of the cleanest and safest places you will ever visit. When planning your trip, there is one thing you need to keep in the back of your mind. No matter how familiar you think you are with other major cities and countries throughout Asia, Singapore is a one of a kind place.

A city of its own

Made up of one large island and several smaller ones, Singapore is both a city and a state. While it is made up of several cultures and people of many nationalities, having some money to spend is one thing that almost everyone has in common. Because of this, Singapore has become one of the most popular financial hubs on the planet.

Because of the many differences from other major Asian cities, there are a few things you will need to know. For starters, there are four major languages the locals speak. Mandarin, English, Tamil, and Malay, are each spoken on a regular basis. You may be better off knowing at least a little of each.

Abide by the law

If you are going to visit Singapore, you need to know up front that you should be on your best behavior. Neither jaywalking or littering is allowed. And yes, you will pay a fine for not flushing the toilet after the use of a public bathroom.

While I am not sure if there is a urinal officer in every men’s room, the laws are to be taken very seriously. Because of their enforcement, Singapore has become one of the safest places to visit in the world. The locals would like to keep it that way.

The drug addiction rate in Singapore is also among the lowest on the globe. This is largely in part to the fact that a variety of drug charges have a mandatory death sentence. Don’t get the wrong idea here. Singapore is definitely a place that should be on your bucket list.

There is plenty of alcohol, after paying what is known as the “sinners tax,” and you should enjoy your time on the island. However, you don’t want to be involved in any activity whatsoever when drugs are a part.

While there are some strict laws that you probably wouldn’t know about without being there, the majority of these are punished by just a fine when broken. If you are legally visiting the country and can honestly say you were unaware of the law you were breaking, the fine can usually be erased with a simple letter to local authorities.

However, this is for first time offenders only. Not only will the second ticket or fine stick for a second offense, the penalty will usually be much stiffer. As mentioned earlier, have fun. Enjoy your trip and make some memories. Just be smart about what it is you are doing.

One thing you won’t need to worry about is transportation. Book Taxi Singapore is able to provide all of your driving needs, even picking you up after being released from jail.

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Tips for Taking Care of a Child on the Autism Spectrum

June 12, 2017 by Leave a Comment

As a parent, you have probably spent a huge portion of time thinking about your child’s future, especially if he or she has ASD – autism spectrum disorder. Aside from therapies and medical care, here are some simple daily things that will make a difference:

Be Positive

Just like with most people with ASD, your child will respond well to positive reinforcement. This means that when you praise your child for good behavior, it will make him feel good. However, you need to be specific about what you are praising him for to avoid miscommunication.

 

You also need to let your child know what you like about his behavior. Find things that you can reward him with such as stickers or extra playtime. As you would with other people, whether they are on the spectrum or not, you should value your child for whom he is. Loving your child as he is will make him feel accepted and loved.

Stay On Schedule and Be Consistent

Persons with autism crave routine. For this reason, you should make sure that you give your child consistent interaction and guidance. Doing so will allow him to practice what he learned in therapy.

 

Consistency makes learning new behavior much easier and helps people on the spectrum to apply what they learn to different situations. You also need to talk to your child’s therapists and teachers to align a consistent set of interaction methods and techniques to ensure that you bring what they learn home.

Schedule Their Play

By finding activities that are more fun and less like therapy, you will help your child to open up to you and form a special bond with you. If your child is autistic, then you know that forming a bond with him is difficult. Therefore, you should take anything that you can get.

Give It Time

Because you are likely to try a lot of techniques and treatments from centers such as ABA Detroit based therapy, you should practice patience while figuring out what works best for your child. Do not get discouraged; you should remain positive even if your child does not respond to a certain treatment method.

Take Your Child with You

If your child has unpredictable behavior, you might think that keeping him away from certain situations is best. However, if you start exposing him to everyday activities such as running errands and going to the bank, he will get used to the world around him. Although it might be hard at first, you give it a try.

Get a Support System

Raising a child with autism takes a toll on parents and is especially hard on single parents. Whether face-to-face or online, support from friends and family members will make you feel less isolated. Joining a support group is a great way to share information and advice and meet other parents who are in the same boat as you.

 

You should also consider counseling whether it is individual, marital, or family. What will make your life a little easier? You should think about it and do it. You can attend counseling sessions or support group meetings when your child is in therapy.

Look Into Respite Care

You should consider hiring a caregiver to help you take care of your child. Doing so will give you a much-deserved break so that you can relax and take care of yourself for a change. Moreover, when you get some rest, you will be in a better state of mind.

 

If your child has intense needs due to autism and you have other children to take care of, you will need the help.

Tabitha Gits is an influencer marketing pro with brownboxbranding.com who is passionate about building authentic relationships and helping businesses connect with their ideal online audience. She keeps her finger on the pulse of the ever-evolving digital marketing world by writing on the latest marketing advancements​ and focuses on developing customized blogger outreach plans based on industry and competition.

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5 Ironclad Tips for Getting in Shape

June 12, 2017 by Leave a Comment

The hardest part of getting in shape is simple when you boil it all the way down: it’s all about forming new habits. From eating the right portion sizes, to working out 3-4 days per week, once you write down the process and work towards the goal, you’ll find it easier than you imagined it to be.

The scheduling part is crucial, so it’s a good thing you start with this. It’s all about preparation; by shopping for healthy foods and buying yoga pants or custom athletic leggings, you make the idea tangible, and put yourself in a position for success.

You Fitness Schedule

This can consist of several things, all wrapped up into one – the important thing is that you actually make a schedule. By establishing a timeline, you hold yourself accountable. Signing up at the local gym is your best bet; but if you don’t have or want to spend the money, home workouts are just as good for getting you in shape.

Also, by teaming up with a buddy, you turn your fitness plans into an event and make it even more likely that you’ll stick to your workouts. The other person will go a long way into upping the accountability factor, as well. Another benefit to going to the gym is that the money you’re paying serves as an additional incentive.

Keep Your Workouts Simple to Start

Every day, it seems, you are inundated with new workout schemes via YouTube or some other media outlet. They look cool, the models performing the workouts are in incredible shape, and you want to try them. Fine – but save these for later as your workouts become more advanced. For the time being, stick to the simple, core workouts that maximize your gains – the squat and deadlift for the lower body, the pull-up and push-up for the upper. You can even try the bench-press, and use an amount of weight that challenges you after maybe 12 reps. It all depends on your fitness and body goals:

 

  • If you’re trying to lose weight and tone, focus on cardiovascular exercises – swimming is one of the best you can do. Keep weightlifting to low weights and high reps for toned, strong arms
  • If you want to gain muscle, you have to go heavy. Keep the repetitions medium – eight to 12 is a good range.
  • If you want to gain strength over everything, then you’ve got to go really heavy, such that your rep range is never more than five or six.

 

They Say Abs are Made in the Kitchen

Abs are only partially made in the kitchen; but it’s a big part. If you’re not eating healthy, then you’re robbing yourself of much of the work you’re putting in in the gym – especially if you’re only doing cardio workouts such as running, power walking or swimming. Load up on fruits, vegetables, grains and water to really see a difference.

Of course, if you’re looking to gain muscle, then you’ll need more protein than you usually eat. You can get this from nuts, yogurt, meat and other dairy products. It’s better to eat multiple small portions throughout the day than it is to eat one or two big meals.

In due time, you’ll see how the change in your perspective, and the implementation of your workout plan, come together to help form the best version of yourself.

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3 Ways that stem cells can be used to treat disease

June 12, 2017 by Leave a Comment
  1.     Repair damaged tissue. One of the most common ways that stem cell treatment is used in disease is in cancer patients. Most cancer patients undergo high dose chemotherapy and radiation. These treatments are very useful to decrease tumor size or burden. However, chemotherapeutic agents are also known to harm the patient’s existing bone marrow, which is responsible for making blood cells in the body. With the use of a stem cell transplant (or bone marrow transplant) doctors can replace the bone marrow or stem cells lost during chemotherapy treatment. Additionally, stem cells hold a great amount of potential to help cure or treat other diseases. Because stem cells could potentially be programmed into a specific, differentiated cell type, stem cells could be used to replace damaged cells in other types of diseases. Ongoing studies are being performed to determine if stem cells could replace damaged cells in heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease and many others.
  2.     Reduce inflammation. Another useful property of stem cells is their ability to naturally suppress the immune response. This makes them potentially useful in the treatment of inflammatory diseases and clinical trials are being performed to study their effects in diseases such as arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, inflammatory airway disease, multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases. Inflammatory diseases are currently treated with immune suppressive, anti-inflammatory drugs, which only work temporarily to reduce pain and inflammation. They can also have adverse side effects due to non-specific inhibition of the immune system. The interesting thing about certain types of stem cells (mesenchymal stem cells, MSCs) is that they specially locate to the inflamed region of the body to exert anti-inflammatory effects without affecting the overall immune system. One recent study found that MSCs could produce significant reduction in inflammatory proteins without long-term side effects.
  3.     Tissue engineering.  Possibly the most interesting potential use for stem cells to treat disease is in the possibility of growing complete organs from just a few cells. There are currently about 120,000 people on the waiting list for an organ transplant in the United States, with a new name being added to the list about every 10 minutes. Unfortunately, about 22 people die every day from lack of available organs for transplant. It is already known that pluripotent stem cells (stem cells that could potentially form any cell type in the body) can differentiate into lung cells, heart cells, liver cells and kidney cells. Researchers are currently attempting to find a way to allow those induced cell types to form whole, survivable organs, which may be used to fill the gap in transplant needs. Researchers have had some success in engineering tissue of the heart, liver and kidneys using stem cells in the lab. However, the transplantation of these tissues into animals has yet to done. Tissue engineering is an incredibly exciting field of research that could have a huge impact on human health in the future.
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