joi, 4 iunie 2009

Beach Volley Ball – Emergence And Popularity Of The Game

Beach volley ball more popularly known as sand volley ball is an Olympic sport. Similar to other games, two teams separated by a high net play against each other and try to gain points by grounding the ball in each others court. Beach volley ball usually consists of two players and sometimes goes up to six players.
This game was first played in Southern California and today is considered the most favorite team sport. Its popularity is such, that countries without beaches like Switzerland also follow the game closely. This game was initially played by surfers who had nothing to do when their surf was down and had to wait for long hours getting extremely bored. To keep them busy while their surfs were being repaired, they played beach volley ball and this past time later on emerged as a favorite team sport.
Though beach volley ball is famous in Southern California, the first game was played on the beaches of Waikiki in Honolulu, Hawaii. Mr. Duke Kahanamoku was a legendary player and the most reckoned name in this sport.
It is said that in the year 1920 when jetties were being constructed in Santa Monica, California, large sandy regions were created which sowed the seed for the emergence of beach volley ball. Slowly permanent nets were put and people were seen playing the game in public parts of the beach and also in the private clubs. Gradually by the beginning of 1922 there were almost 11 such beach clubs in Santa Monica. The first inter club competition was held in 1924.
Earlier beach volley ball matches were played with six players on either side. The perception of playing the game with two players and the credit for the same goes to Mr. Paul Pablo Johnson. Having to wait for all six players to turn up to start a game, Paul Johnson decided to play with four of the members who were present, not wanting to loose time. There has been no looking back since then and today beach volley ball is famous and is played with great vigor and vitality.
Though beach volley ball is similar to indoor volley ball there are some basic differences like the surface in which each of the game is played. While beach volley ball is played on sand surface the indoor volley ball is played on a hard surface. Other differences are the sizes of the courts, the number of sets each game is played etc., Moreover the ball which is used to play beach volley ball is much softer and is slightly bigger than the ball used to play indoor volley ball game.
In Europe the game was played in the 1930’s and by the 1940’s the doubles competition were played in Santa Monica for the winners were bestowed with awards. Over the years the game has been followed by a large number of people and its popularity has increased by leaps and bounds. Today this game is no longer a sport but is considered as a life style.

marți, 2 iunie 2009

Explore The World, Without Worry

Finding a good trip advisor to plan your trip can be tricky. What you want to look for is someone who will make sure every detail is covered. Your travel advisor should plan your trip with you. If you are lucky, you will find someone who really cares whether not you have a good time, and can offer suggestions. They do this everyday, and should be aware of what's going on in the travel industry, where the shows are in the area you are planning to visit, what's new, what's old and where you should avoid.

Oh yes, we must always think about our safety when traveling, and so should your trip planner. I have had taxi cab drivers point out the areas that wouldn't be suitable for my taste. That's one of the perks of having a travel advisor. You are not left on your own to wander. Although you may have the travel books, and figure out your own route, for a little extra time and cash, you can have a voice of experience help make your trip a memorable one.

Your travel advisor should make sure you have a ride to and from the airport your lodging should be secured for the length of stay. I have had to find a place to stay overnight once, when a friend booked a hotel stay for me in Italy, but didn't book the weekend, or did not make it clear that I would be staying the entire weekend, and when Saturday night came, I didn't have a room. My friend was no where to be found while all of this was going on. He thought everything was fine. If you have ever traveled to Italy, you know trying to find a room on a Saturday night is almost impossible. We ended up staying with the waitress from the hotel because our room was given away. Not fun! I didn't speak Italian at that time. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.

As you can see, even though a friend is helping, it is best to get a professional trip planner, who knows the Inn’s and outs of international travel. If there are activities and events you would like to entertain yourself with, your planner should have all the arrangements secured, so you can do the things you want to do without worry.

I do not have any travel advisors to recommend, it is up to you to find the right one. Do your research and talk to a few to see what they have to offer when arranging your trip. They may be limited in what they are able to help you with, and you don't want your trip to be ruined by an oversight.

If you are a travel warrior like me, you will get on a first name basis with your travel advisor, tell them your interest, and ask lots of questions. Especially if you are going to a foreign country. Never assume you will find English speaking people. English is not spoken around the world by every individual, be diligent, and learn at least, the basics of the native language, so you can ask for help, order and understand the types of food you like to eat. Order the proper currency from your bank, to avoid being over charged for the exchange. If you exchange your currency at the airport, you will be subject to unnecessary fees that can be avoided.

Don't forget to learn the culture of where you are going. In America, it is polite to tip. In England, it is looked at as an insult if you offer bartenders money. Do your homework, do not take anything for granted, and you will have a great time exploring the world. Find out where the phone shops are in case you have to call your home country. You can make calls inexpensively. There are also plenty of internet shops to communicate with your travel advisor if you find yourself in a sticky situation.

luni, 1 iunie 2009

Romance On The Ocean Front, Take Me To A Beach Resort

Beach resorts offer a tranquility that can not be found anywhere else in the world. Where else will you find a warm sunny place, where you can choose to take advantage of an all-inclusive option. An all-inclusive vacation leaves you having to be responsible for nothing other than getting off the plane, and returning to the plane, to go home. Once you're there, you will be waited on hand and foot. All of your drinks, food and activities are handled by the resort.

Beach Resorts are so well maintained, there is no reason to leave it to find things to do. When going to a beach resort, you will find yourself on the right side of paradise. There are many popular spots, Aruba, Hawaii, Jamaica, Brazil, Bahamas, and many, many more.

If your wallet dictates the type of beach resort you will vacation to, there are always specials, discount and offers that you can take advantage of, to get you there.

Now, imagine. A moonlit evening with a gentle wind rolling off the ocean, you and your love are walking hand in hand, the warm sand sinking beneath your feet, and the smell of the sea tickling your nose. There is no better place. Or just laying back on a lounge chair watching the sun set. Your dinner has been served, and you don't even have to raise your hand to get your drink refilled. All that is left is to have someone dab your lips and you've got it made. Paradise at it's finest. The drums are beating in the background, and you have been transported to another place, another space in time. The scent in the air is different, unfamiliar at first, but now you anticipate it, it wraps around you and you are at peace. Oh, how I love the beach.

Does that sound like something worth saving for, just to experience it, if only once in a lifetime. There are family beach resorts, and adult beach resorts. For your information, not all adult beach resorts are hedonistic. There are some very respectable adult resorts, you just have to do your research. There are some beautiful love nests for you and your honey to escape to, forget about the rest of the world and rediscover your youth. Regain your vitality, while soaking in the luxury of the ocean beach resort. Take a moment to realize the colors of the sunset, maybe for the first time in your life. Did I tell you how much I love the beach?

The coral reef is a sight to behold. It amazes your senses to see so many natural bright, vibrant colors. Try something different and go snorkeling. You don't have to hold your breath, and you don't have to go far or deep to enjoy the gift of life, underwater. You never know what you are going to see, but you can bet it will be beautiful.

Wherever you decide to go, and whatever you do, I hope I shared my love for ocean front resorts inspires you to explore the world of luxury. You'll find the right bargain at the right time, just do your research, and plan to have a fantastic break from reality.

joi, 28 mai 2009

The Panama City beach overview

The City of Panama City Beach (also known as Panama City Beach, or just "PCB") is an urban center in the Florida Panhandle on the Gulf of Mexico in Bay County, Florida, U.S.A.. The city is frequently cited to under the comprehensive term of "Panama City," in spite of being a distinct municipality from the older and larger interior Panama City to the east, making Panama City and Panama City Beach two distinct cities. Panama City Beach's motto is "The World's Most Beautiful Beaches" due to the specific sugar white sandy beaches of Northwest Florida.
Since rather former Panama City Beach has been a favourite vacation destination, particularly amongst people in the Southern United States. The city is as well an absolute hot spring break destination, occasionally being named to as "The Spring Break Capital of the World," due to almost 100,000 college and senior high school scholars who arrive during the months of March and April. Known positions in the city were points such as "The Hang Out" at the Long Beach Resort motel and the at present closed Miracle Strip Amusement Park. A building bunce from 2000 to 2008 dramatically changed the beachfront visible horizon with tower block condos and hotels, while a lot designed projects have been disputed or put on hold due to the real property downturn.

miercuri, 27 mai 2009

Best Florida Beaches Destinations

There is a short list of Florida places to visit:


Best beaches for celebrity seekers:

Lummus Park (South Beach), Ocean Drive between 5th and 15th streets, Miami Beach
Ponte Vedra Beach, near Ponte Vedra Inn & Club, Northeast Florida
Lantana Beach near the Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach (in Manalapan), Palm Beach and the Treasure Coast
St. Pete Beach, near the Don CeSar, Tampa Bay area
Islamorada Beach, near The Moorings and Cheeca Lodge, the Florida Keys
Vanderbilt Beach, near the Ritz-Carlton, Naples, the Lower Gulf Coast
Seagrove Beach, near Seaside, in the Panhandle

Best beaches for loneliness and romance:

Caladesi Island State Park, a mile west of Dunedin, Tampa Bay Area
Lovers Key State Park, on County Rd. 865 between Fort Myers Beach and Bonita Beach in Lee County, the Lower Gulf Coast
Bahia Honda State Park, Bahia Honda Key (mile marker 37), the Florida Keys
John U. Lloyd Beach Recreation Area, Dania Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Broward County
St. George Island State Park, St. George Island, the Panhandle
Blowing Rocks Preserve, Jupiter, Palm Beach and the Treasure Coast
Canaveral National Seashore, Titusville, Northeast Florida

Best beaches for sea shells:

Bowman's Beach, on Sanibel Island, Lower Gulf Coast
Holmes Beach, Anna Maria Island, the Lower Gulf Coast
St. Joe State Park, on Cape San Blas, the Panhandle
Sombrero Beach, Marathon, the Florida Keys
Vero Beach, Palm Beach & the Treasure Coast
Turtle Beach, Siesta Key, Tampa Bay area
Jacksonville Beach, Northeast Florida

Best beaches for families, kids and castle building:

Clearwater Beach, Tampa Bay area
Delray Beach, Palm Beach and the Treasure Coast
Hollywood Beach, Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale and Broward County
Siesta Beach, near Sarasota, Tampa Bay area
Harry Harris Park, Tavenier (mile marker 92.5), the Florida Keys
Anastasia State Park, St. Augustine, Northeast Florida
Fort Myers Beach, the Lower Gulf Coast

Best beaches for animals:

Jupiter Beach, Jupiter, northern Palm Beach County
St. Joe Beach, Port St. Joe, north of Apalachicola in the Panhandle
Dog Beach, Key West, adjacent to Louie's Backyard Restaurant near the southernmost point, the Florida Keys
Smyrna Dunes Park, New Smyrna Beach, Northeast Florida
Rickenbacker Causeway and Beach, Key Biscayne, Miami & Miami Beach
Abercrombie Park, on Park Street at 38th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, the Tampa Bay Area
Flagler Beach, north and south of 10th Street (but not at the 10th Street pier), Flagler Beach, Northeast Florida

Best beaches for diving in:

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
Bahia Honda State Park, Bahia Honda Key (mile marker 37), the Florida Keys
Fort Lauderdale Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Broward County
Fort Walton Beach, the Florida Panhandle
St. Andrew's State Recreational Area, Panama City, the Florida Panhandle
Egmont Key, Tampa Bay, southwest of Fort DeSoto Beach, the Tampa Bay Area
Vero Beach, Palm Beach and the Treasure Coast

Daytona beach short review

Daytona Beach is amongst the most known destinations in United States. More than 7,500,000 tourists hit Daytona Beach annually. The region is a year-around terminus as of fine atmospheric condition, particular sporting and social events and its propinquity to extra great attractivenesses. Daytona Beach is placed along Florida's Central East Coast area. The residential district traverses twenty-three miles on the Atlantic Ocean Coast and makes up the most familiar urban center inside Volusia county. Former cities and towns in the Daytona Beach region include Ormond Beach, Ormond By The Sea, South Daytona, Daytona Beach Shores, Holly Hill,Wilbur By The Sea and Ponce Inlet. At that place are three great rivers in the region: the St. Johns River, the Tomoka River and the Halifax River, alias the Intracoastal Waterway. The fair yearly temperature in Daytona Beach is an ardent seventy degrees Fahrenheit (twenty-one degrees Celsius). The ordinary water temperature is also 70 points Fahrenheit. A representative January could reach between the middle sixties and low seventies during the daytime and the fifties at nighttime. Rain in the area may alter from .ten to .twenty-five inches. The beach catches up with to five hundred feet widely at low water and is perfect for castle making, volleyball, biking, angling or barely making relaxed in the sunlight. Though at the beach, watersports enthusiasts can catch a surfboard, set up a boat or head away for a parasailing escapade. The Atlantic is ideal for swim particularly on the springtime and summertime once temperatures run of seventy-four to eighty grades Fahrenheit (twenty-three to twenty-seven grades Celsius). Although driving is allowed about eleven of the twenty-three mile on beach area, four walker only districts are determined at several intervals. The nearly central walker beach district is set up north and south by the historical Daytona Beach Pier (once called Main Street Pier) in Daytona Beach.