Archive for the 'Alaska' Category

Choosing the Best Ship for Antarctica Travel

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009

People need to make up their minds regarding several things before going on an Antarctica cruise. One such decision concerns choosing a cruise liner that knows how to pamper you. This piece tells you about the different considerations when looking at Antarctic cruises that suit you.

The first hurdle is deciding whether you favor an Antarctic cruise on a big or small shipping vessel. Around 50 to 100 passengers can with you on a ship that is small. About 200 to 3000 passengers can ride at anytime on a large vessel. You must determine what makes one Antarctic travel ship better or worse than another. For top-quality resources on relaxing antarctic cruises make sure to visit them.

Vacationing on major cruise lines and ashore let you enjoy similar activities and games. Drop by gyms and casinos or entertain yourself another way by participating in group socials. The ship has doctors handy for your medical concerns as well as people to help with your nails and hair before formal banquets. Note that Antarctica cruises on big ships are more impersonal.

Big vessels rarely cruise and touch the banks. The tourists carried by the ships along with related environmental laws deter them. Those who enjoy touring while vacationing should rethink going on a cruise. A person interested in traveling ashore while on a sailing expedition must check if cruise line laws allow for it. There is also the length of time ships are allowed to drop anchor at specific locations to consider. To find antarctic travel information see this resource.

You get to see more on smaller cruise lines since their layovers are more frequent. They are anchored close to bank which means more time for you to see wildlife and visit distant sites. The people are not that many too so there is less think about.

The setting is more intimate aboard small sea vessels. The cruise personnel along with the rest of the passengers are likewise easy to approach. Take this opportunity to engage in personal hobbies like mountain climbing or scuba diving. No payment is required to see a physician in the clinic aboard smaller vessels. The same is available on bigger ships but for a fee.

Safety and protection of people aboard ship is important. Ice ratings for small ships are usually higher. Such ships are beefed up for ice travel to avoid getting punctured or damaged due to icebergs. Check that your chosen cruise ship has adequate equipment for responding to whatever crises. Due to regulations this is not usually an issue.

A cruise on a smaller ship can be quite educational. People specializing in Antarctica history can help you get better acquainted with the place. Choose firms that have Antarctica Cruises as its focus. Specialty cruise firms know how to deliver an awesome Antarctica trip. Ships differ in size and if you know how to distinguish among them you will not have trouble picking the right one. The Antarctica journey has to be one worth committing to memory.

Looking At the Many Alaska Liner Reviews

Monday, August 24th, 2009

It can be extremely engaging reading Alaskan cruise ships online, due to the wide variety of viewpoints people express. Some folks are ecstatic about the very things that make others moan. You can read one review in which the Diamond Princess was ranked as a fairy story ship where all the cruiser’s dreams came true. For another noticeably more unhappy passenger, it seems the crew was lackadaisical, the food was just OK, and many little annoyances popped up from embarkation to disembarkation. It could be a challenge to work out which cruise might be right for you from reading these massively different reviews. However, with some tips for reading between the lines, you should be all right.

Firstly, donot expect too much. If you go expecting the moon, you are certain to be disappointed. Do enough research to give yourself a realistic picture of what taking a selected cruise entails and what you should fairly expect from it. Find out beforehand how large the cabin you are considering will be. You will find some passengers reviewing their rooms as being huge while others bitch that they were terribly tiny. Remember the footage on the ship internet sites and leaflets will portray the cabins as being roomy, bright, and airy. However, while some cabins on the ship might be giant, others aren’t, and the sizes change from ship to ship. Therefore , find out the size before you ever book the cabin, and you can save yourself a large amount of disappointment lateron .

You’ll want to check out Royal Caribbean Alaskan Cruise and Princess Cruises, as these have both received high rating from customers.

Most of the Alaskan cruise ship reviews will talk about the stops the ship makes on the way. Be ready to pay alarge serious substantial[/spin] amount for anything that you want to do, because the majority of the extra activities aren’t covered by your cruise liner fare. Decide in advance what activities you actually want to do, and then check into how much additional money you need to take along to do them.

For a detailed list of all of the cruise ships and their ratings, you can look at http://www.alaskancruisereview.com/alaskan-cruise-info/. This site will give you a large amount of other info to help make choices about where you may want to cruise and the best ship to take.

Beaches in Barcelona

Thursday, August 6th, 2009

The coast where Barcelona is found and which takes on different denomination when the latitude changes is considered amongst the best in Spain.
Barcelona Town
Spiagge Barcellona could be a valid solution to the sweltering heat which hits the whole of Spain in the summer period but which could perhaps disappoint those of you who predict white sand and crystal clear water. Barcelona is also famous for its vital port and it’d be too much to expect Caribbean-like beaches here. However, what does work in favour of the Catalan capital is the incontrovertible fact that it is near to coasts renowned for their beauty, which is certainly a good reason to plan a trip outside the city during your stay in Barcelona. The main beaches are Barceloneta, Nova Icaria, Bogatell and Marbella.
Out of Barcelona
One of the Catalans’ favorite beaches is Ocata, which is on the Masnou coast and among those we will be able to find to the north of the city, being loved by surfers who come out at the weekends. It is also extraordinarily near the famous beach of Masnou ( which gives its name to the stretch of coast ), which is also favoured by surfers, has good facilities and pure and clear sand. Others lovely beaches are Andri de Besos, Villassar de Mar, Cabrera de Mar,
Carrying on this direction you go thru Villassar del Mar, which is very popular with tourists and then you’re able to the wonderful town of Matar, which is the county seat of the Maresme region, being set between the blue of the Mediterranean and the green of the mountain range of Serralada Litoral, with about 120 thousand folk living there and is extremely rich in natural and cultural treasures. Its beaches stretch out along the coast for roughly 5 kilometres and are especially split up into : the Playa del Espign, the Playa del Callao and the Playa del Varador.
If you’re planning on visiting the beaches to the south of Barcelona, there are 2 which really stand out : the 1st is Castelldefels, which is about half an hour on the train from the capital, and characterised by a line of restaurants and bars terribly near its wide and clean beaches, and the other one’s the Playa de Garraf, which is one of the few examples of hilly / mountainous natural environments where the sea’s nature and the moderness of cafes behind the beach come together and which truly is worthy of a visit as picture in oh barcelona blog shows.
Very out of Barcelona
If you have an interest in spending a day in a breathtaking destination by the sea but you also need to spare some tiem to do some sightseeing, another place you could consider is Sitges, which is the crowned jewel of Catalonia, and famous all over Europe for its carnival ( when the whole area comes out on the streets for the city’s holiday ) and has been, for a considerable time now, the haunt of the gay community. As well as enjoying enthralling beaches, the city also gives you the opportunity to get lost in its narrow and steep side streets, which are like the well known Genovese carriages in their layout, visit its churches San Bartolom and Santa Tecla, and make the best of the Catalan cuisine whose origins, more than anywhere else, can be discovered here. The most significant cost is Costa Brava our favorites are Blanes and Lloret de Mar.

For a exciting natural Alaska vacation consider the Anaktuvuk Pass in the Brooks Range

Saturday, August 1st, 2009

For a adventurous native Alaska vacation consider the Anaktuvuk Pass in the Brooks Range.

Is what you are seeking for is a genuine outdoors Alaska vacation you might need to consider going to Anaktuvuk Pass right on the edge of the Gates of Arctic National Park and Preserve. There you will discover people that are children of those that have lived in the region since before 500 BC. These People survived on caribou, which they still hunt, eat, and make clothing and more from, exactly like their ancestors.

The beautiful village is one that should be respected for its way of life. When visitors come to the village and disturb the natural flow of the community it is both disrespectful and unappreciated. For this reason the village has provided a camping area that outsiders must camp in. This area is located among the willows along the east edge of the runway opposite the village. Be sure to check in with the store, ranger station or community center for more information on the requirements for camping here. Do NOT camp within sight of the village, it is disrespectful of the residents. Honor them, they have lived here a lot longer than you have been alive and have a right to be honored in their home.

The Nanamiut Village consists of just 250 individuals. The village is described as a bush community thus supplies are limited. The natives residents still rely on caribou herds for alll of their meat, although they also hunt Dall sheep and catch trout and grayling, ptarmigan, and waterfowl.

The temperatures in the area ranges from the 50’s during the summer time to an average of minus fourteen degrees in January. Of course, being Alaska, and the far north of Alaska, there have been recorded cold temperatures of between -56 and -91 degrees. The area receives an average of 11 inches of rainfall with an average snowfall of 63 inches per year.

When touring the area be sure to carry along those things that you will want (and don’t forget you will be packing the items so only pack the necessary things to avoid having to carry the extra weight). The village does not have the amenities that you may be used to in other sites so you will not be able to stop by the store to pick the items up. Remember, it is a absolutely rugged Alaska vacation you are taking, one that will be a great memory for years to come.

If you don’t need the comfort of traditional Alaska tours, and desire a real Far North Alaska vacation then this is an area that you absolutely must need to consider. Although you will not just spend your vacation in Nanamiut Village, but go on to Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, a visit and perhaps an overnight in the village will give you a taste of what it would be like to live this far from the rest of the world and in the manner that their ancestors lived years ago. Come, enjoy and respect the area so others will have the chance to experience this wonderland of the north too.

REICHSTAG

Wednesday, June 10th, 2009

Cuando visiten Berlín tendrán la oportunidad de apreciar el bello edificio del Reichstag, el cual ha sido testigo de los eventos históricos más relevantes para Alemania durante el siglo pasado

Este edificio termino de construirse en 1894 y es el lugar de reunión del parlamento alemán. A través del tiempo ha sido victima de incendios, demoliciones y batallas a pesar de ello la belleza arquitectónica de este lugar es indiscutible ya que tras cada percance siempre hubo una mente maestra lista para reconstruir y mejorar este emblemático edificio.

La cúpula se añadió durante las reformas y esta ha convertido al Reichstag en un símbolo de Berlín y una atracción turística de primer nivel.

La visita a este exquisito parlamento comienza por la puerta occidental donde deberán de pasar un control de seguridad. Hay que tomar un ascensor que los llevará al tejado donde podrán apreciar de cerca esta bestia metálica de 24 metros y 800 toneladas.

En su interior suben dos rampas de alrededor de 2 metros de ancho que permiten subir y bajar a un mirador que se levanta a 40 metros sobre el nivel del suelo donde podrán apreciar toda la belleza de Berlín.
El Reichstag se encuentra en el barrio de Tiergarten. Para llegar deben de tomar el “strassenbahn” que es el tranvía de la ciudad y salir en la estación unter der linden o si lo prefieren pueden llegar por medio del metro, la estación más cercana es oranienburger tor de la línea U6

Recuerden que antes de viajar a la capital alemana deben de buscar todas las opciones de hospedaje posibles como hoteles, hostales y apartamentos Berlín

University of Alaska Museum of the North – Fairbanks

Thursday, February 19th, 2009

Explore the University of Alaska Museum of the North – Fairbanks. Did you know that Alaska is the resting place for many of the migratory birds of the world? Here shorebirds and waterfowl eat and rest before continuing their journey. Some of these birds are eiders, geese, swans, jaegers, and dunlins.

Speaking of travel you will be able to see some of the displays showcasing the 87th Army Corps of Engineers that worked on the Alaska Highway during WWII. This all Black regiment built the Richardson Highway, Tok Cutoff, and the Alcan Highway from Delta to the Canadian border.

The museum suggests that you plan to spend at least 3 hours on your visit, but with so much to see and so much to learn you will probably want to spend a lot more time than that going from exhibit to exhibit. Maybe you will want to return time after time to see the changing displays and learn something new each time you go.

Anchorage Medical

Friday, November 7th, 2008

Health updates (11/4/08)

Click Here!

First Aid/CPR Course, 5:30 p.m. today, Dimond Center, 800 E. Dimond Blvd., Suite 3-394. American Heart Association First Aid/CPR courses offered Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Call to preregister. $75. (317-5554)

Providence Alaska Medical Center Diabetes and Nutrition Center Community Class panel discussion on diabetes management will be from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Providence Alaska Medical Center East Auditorium. Panel members will be Dr. Patrick Nolan, endocrinologist; and diabetes and nutrition center staff: Lindsey Schumacher, registered dietitian; and Mindy Tomazevic and Barbara Long, registered nurses. Free and open to the public. (212-7982)

Living Well with Chronic Illness, 7-9:30 p.m. Wednesday, Christ Church Episcopal, 5101 O’Malley Road. Six sessions will present a program of self-management for those suffering from chronic illness. Traditional and innovative skills and techniques will be taught to improve the quality of life. Free. (345-7914, 244-8182)

alaska medical jobs

Collision hospitalizes driver

BIG LAKE — A Big Lake man remained in critical condition at Providence Alaska Medical Center on Monday afternoon after he ran a stop sign and collided with an oncoming car Sunday evening, according to the hospital and Alaska State Troopers.

David K. Winters, 43, was traveling west on Hollywood Road and failed to stop for the sign at Big Lake Road, troopers said. Winters’ 1990 Ford pickup continued into the path of a 2004 Ford Excursion driven by Seth L. Brower, 33, of Houston. Brower and two passengers, all wearing seat belts, were not injured, troopers said. Emergency crews extricated Winters. He was transported by LifeGuard helicopter to Providence.

Damages to Brower’s vehicle are estimated at $10,000. Winters’ vehicle was totaled.

alaska cruise

Palin Releases Clean Medical Summary Hours Before Polls Open

Just hours before voters nationwide were to head to the polls, GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin released tonight a two-page summary (PDF) of her medical history.

The letter, dated Nov. 3 and signed by her family physician, Cathy Baldwin-Johnson, who is on staff at the Providence Alaska Medical Center, says that the Alaska governor is in “very good health” and has “no major medical problems.”

Baldwin-Johnson has served as the governor’s family physician since 1997 and Palin has sought medical attention from the clinic since 1991. “Her visits have been related to routine women’s health care and pregnancy,” Baldwin-Johnson writes.
Read More?

David LaCombe

Palmer/Wasilla resident David George LaCombe, 62, died of natural causes, Oct. 25, 2008, at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage.

A Masonic Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, Oct. 31, at Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel, 1015 S. Check Street in Wasilla, with members of the Palmer Masonic Lodge officiating.

David was born Jan. 6, 1946, in Attleboro, Mass., to Albert Leo and Olive Clara (Lussier) LaCombe. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and came to Alaska in June of 1982. He had worked as a personal care attendant in home health care, as a security guard, as a Wal-Mart people greeter, and as an assistant manager at Burger King. He was retired on disability. He enjoyed camping, fishing, gold panning and hiking.

Read More?

Tour Alaska The Last Great Outdoor Bastions

Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008

Imagine being a resident of Alaska in a town of 900 and watching thousands of passengers unloading off six massive cruise lines. Back in the 1800s, the Gold Rush brought a similar bombardment of settlers to what was a pristine swatch of land containing mountains, frozen volcanoes, forests and glaciers. If you love history, then an Alaskan adventure is a “must.” Not only will you see leftover historic mines, but you can also learn about the native Alaskan people, who bared the elements and lived off whales and moose.

In Juneau, a classic Alaskan tour is the “Four Glaciers By Helicopter & Dog Sled Adventure.” On this once-in-a-lifetime expedition for lovers of the great outdoors, you’ll soar over four real glaciers, which are the Taku, the Hole-in-the-Wall, Dead Branch and East Twin, while catching a bird’s eye view of moose, goats, bears and caribou. Then you will land on Norris Glacier where you’ll meet up with your Alaskan malamute and Alaskan husky dogsled team. Your guide will describe the 1,000-mile Iditarod Race that traverses from Anchorage to Nome. Your trip will include some hiking through crevasses and navigating streams for two hours of ethereal zen. This journey is for the fearless, the cold-insensitive, the adventurous and the athletic. If you are skier you will find plenty of ski slopes in Alaska.

Calling all fishermen! Sitka offers a full-day excursion you won’t want to miss! It’s no secret that Alaska is home to some delicious seafood, particularly salmon, halibut and Alaskan king crab. This state is a beacon for any serious fisherman looking to fish the best of the best. The captain will take you to proven spots where you can troll for king, silver or chum salmon or anchor-and-jig a halibut. You’ll even be treated to lunch and snacks on this trip.

The town of Sitka is well-known for its Russian heritage and pride. When you visit this Alaskan town, you may want to take the “Historic Russian America, Raptor Center & Russian Dancers” tour. The Alaska Raptor Rehabilitation Center is an amazing sight to behold, with many birds of prey (including bald eagles) circling overhead and swooping by. You’ll see America’s first Russian Orthodox cathedral, see where the 1804 Battle of Alaska was bought and where the first Alaskan flag was flown in 1867. The Russian Folk Dance troupe will also entertain visitors of all ages. Whether visiting for the nature, the heritage, the fishing or the adventure…this is the place you won’t soon forget.

When you are on your honeymoon

Wednesday, September 10th, 2008

Honeymoon travel checklist

When you are on your honeymoon, you may also like to see what else the island of Mauritius has to offer. In addition to having some of the most beautiful beaches of anywhere in the world, you will also be able to quench your taste for adventure by visiting one of the island’s famous spas, or enjoying some healthy exercise at one of the golf courses. The climate that is year-round will make Mauritius the ideal setting for all of your favorite outdoor activities.

Your Mauritius vacation would not be complete without fully sampling the island’s amazing cuisine. You will delight in the interesting blends of the various cultures that make this location’s meals a taste-tempting experience! Spicy Indian curry, Chinese fried noodles, and many others will all be nicely highlighted with the smooth rum that is produced on this island.

When you choose Mauritius for your honeymoon, you will be pleasantly surprised with all that it has to offer. You can have a most romantic hideaway, the peace and quiet of the world’s most breathtaking beaches, cultural entertainment, and the tastiest of foods, all in one beautiful location. After you have thought about the extra-special honeymoon you can have on the island of Mauritius, you will not need to consider any other destination for your vacation.