Tran Star Tours

Why Spiritual Gay Travel is Enjoyable

Howie Holben — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:02:26 +0000

Why do we think that a gay spirituality vacations are not fun? We want to have fun on a vacation; we want to leave the daily grind behind us and play for at least a little while. Unfortunately, we frequently we think of spiritual travel as something we need to do; we view it as a form of work. Of course, if we think like this, spiritual travel won’t be any fun at all. How would this change if we thought differently?

My experience is that spiritual gay travel is a joy. You meet people with the same mindset and really can connect with them. This level of connection really adds to the enjoyment of being on vacation. The chance to have an honest, heart to heart conversation with someone brings adds tremendously to my vacation experience and I come to value these conversations very much.

Also, we have learned being “spiritual” requires acting seriously or even solemn. We seem to think that laughter is the antithesis of being spiritual. This couldn’t be further from the truth. We connect more deeply to spirit when we laugh. After all, it is said that laughter is the best medicine.

When we are spiritually connected to the world around us, when we are conscious of our surroundings, our entire gay vacation experience is heightened. This heightened sense of awareness allows us to relax more, play more and get the most out of our vacation. Getting more out of our time away is very important.

Children are a great example. The world is their playground and everything is a wonder. Joy is found in everything for a child because it is all new and everything is to be played with. To see as though you were a child is a great gift.

And last, but certainly not least, sometimes people confuse the experience of being awestruck as being serious or solemn. When you travel with conscious awareness there can be times when you will be “deeply moved” (awestruck) by something you encounter. It could be the hospitality of a family you meet; a genuine smile; the grandeur of a sunrise or simply the revelation that you are blessed to be alive. Personally, even after countless visits to Monument Valley, I am still moved tears while I am there. But these are tears of joy, humility and gratitude.

Info post originated by Howie Holben. Spirit Journeys suggests gay retreats and is a place for gay spiritual singles.

Must See Places In The United States

Thomas Clarke — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:37:23 +0000

When traveling around the country, trying to see all of the great natural and manmade wonders that the US has to offer, South Dakota and Mount Rushmore is certainly at the top of the list. While your choices are vast and the places to visit are varied, there is something special about seeing the sculpted faces of those great presidents staring down from the mountain. Along with certain monuments in Washington D.C. this is a US historic monument that should be visited if possible.

There are a few other man made objects that everyone should visit. The arch in St. Louis is one of those places that you should visit, along with the Empire State Building in New York and the Statue of Liberty. These places are all must sees, but there are some others.

Another experience that you should try to fit into your lifetime is experiencing a Space Shuttle launch in person. Feeling the roar of the shuttle engines, or watching as the flames light the sky is a moment you will always remember. Many of us choice to stay at home and watch the launch from our televisions, however this feeling is nothing compared to the one you will have experiencing it first hand.

There are so many cool places to visit and experience, but there is something special about Rushmore. Work on the sculpture started in 1927 and was not completed until 1941. The estimated cost of the project was just under one million dollars and over 400 tons of rock was removed for the sculpture. Every year, according to the national park service, over three million visitors move through the park and marvel at the feat. The park is located in the famous Black Hills of South Dakota and there are plenty of outdoor activities for visitors to experience.

When you are visiting the area, you will find that there are many organized events to partake in. If you are a scout troop and want to experience this, as well as be apart of the flag raising in front of the monument, then you will want to make arrangements early. There is many outdoor activities from hiking to fishing and there is even a wonderful camp ground for your trip to pitch their tents and spend the night. Mt.Rushmore is a sight that should be witness by all, and even while you are witnessing it you will be in complete awe, no matter what your age.

You can find Cheap Flights at great discounts on expedia.com. When you travel for the holidays, getting a cheap flight can really make the entire visit much better.

Some Good Reasons To Use Airport Parking

Andy I Boyle — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:27:26 +0000

One cannot be too careful these days, and when it comes to taking trips and flying from a major airport, it is essential that your vehicle be secured. Making use of airport parking will ensure your vehicle remains safe until your return.

It is advantageous for travellers to be able to drive themselves and minimizes the need to enlist the assistance of someone else to provide a trip to catch a flight. An active individual can monitor their own time and not have another’s schedule impact their itinerary. Being able to manage the situation keeps down feelings of anxiety and allows one to enjoy the trip.

The decision to drive or not is often determined by the heavy traffic one might be faced with due to the large numbers of other people travelling at the same time from the same location. Often there are constraints involved that might affect the outcome. Once the driver gets to the airport, the next question is where to park the car, especially if the trip is of a long duration.

The traveller often times will compare the parking fee against the vehicle’s safety. If he is going to be travelling for a considerable time, he might not think it to his advantage for the car to sit in the parking area and questions whether the car is adequately monitored. If good judgement prevails, the traveller will decide that safety weighs most.

The fact is that parking structures are manned with security personnel whose job is to maintain the security for that particular area. The cars are given a ticket/number and parked where there is good visibility by the security personnel. There is convenient access to the parking areas making it a seamless transition from the parking area to the boarding area.

Leaving a car parked unattended on the street for many consecutive days, like during a holiday period, could encourage the vandalism or theft by people with criminal tendencies. A person walking back and forth could become aware that the vehicle is vulnerable. Keeping a vehicle in a safe place such as the parking area of an airport, could ensure optimum safety.

A wise traveller takes the necessary precaution of delivering his vehicle to a parking area provided for travellers before boarding a flight and has the peace of mind that it will be available when he returns. Having the vehicle readily accessible when he returns from a trip, cuts down on the time he might spend at a rental car counter, or locating a taxi, or waiting to be picked up.

Taking advantage of airport parking can be highly beneficial to the traveller. Having ready access upon return and knowing the vehicle is kept under surveillance while its owner is away, can provide the two best reasons for a traveller to utilize this service. The safety and security of the vehicle is of greater importance than the fee charged.

Andy is a well liked travel author for great sites such asBristol Airport Parking as well as Edinburgh Airport Parking. He has extensive knowledge regarding many aspects about travel, and is an expert in identifying out the pitfalls to be aware of.

Curious - Late Back To Ship?

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:24:48 +0000

Having returned from a recent cruise where we witnessed a couple (totally panic stricken !) boarding the ship who were approx 20 -25 mins late back for boarding……(the gang way had to be re-lowered for them).

….they had obviously held up our departure, by albeit a relatively short time, and we were curious to know how Disney would deal with them :rolleyes1

…I thought that they would possibly be paid a visit from someone in charge and given a dressing down …maybe even by the captain ?

….but DH said, hey its Disney …they probably aren’t going to make them feel any worse than they probably already do !!!

…does anyone know, have experience even :guilty: ?? Just curious to know whether Disney is prepared to get tough …or do they stay ‘nice’ with these situations.:confused3

Tips For Lowering Your Costs On A Private Jet Rental

Chris Channing — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:06:05 +0000

Buying a piece of luxury never is an inexpensive ordeal. Jet charters are at the top of luxury, allowing travelers to get from one destination to another in privacy and with more security than commercial jets. The price may be more, but it can still be hacked away at with clever tactics.

One way to lower the cost of a private jet charter is to simply agree to fly with others in a more communal setting. By allowing others along the way, you are dividing the total price by each person that is added. Even only adding another five people can greatly reduce the costs you incur by renting out a private jet.

If your schedule is flexible enough, you can get a private jet charter at a much lesser rate by signing up to fly along a return flight. A return flight is a jet charter flight that is simply on the way back to the initial airport- often with no passengers. Jet charters can make some money off the situation by offering a largely discounted flight at the right time to select individuals.

If you are not against the idea of flying with a local pilot, you can get your own private jet flight for a lot less than what other services offer. You might skip out on plenty of luxury items, and there are other concerns, but if you are familiar with the pilot then you should have a much less expensive ride. If this isn’t possible, try to instead fly with a local jet charter to reduce transport costs.

Catering is sometimes an added perk that jet charter services like to add on. A catering business will either come on board and fix the food fresh, or have the food prepared before the flight. These services can be incredibly expensive, even with a frugal menu. Instead you should ask what your options are for bringing food along for the ride, or perhaps using a kitchen on the jet so you can make the food fresh as always.

Always look into talking to a jet charter broker. A broker only does one thing in a work day: consult deals for customers who need a private jet flight. As a result, they are adept in knowing who has the best deals for a specific budget. They can arrange special services and pull strings with the big jet charter services in order to get prices down. Brokers do request a fee, but it’s often money saved when using them.

Final Thoughts

Do your research on your private jet and the service that allows you to take your next flight. The business is lucrative- but that doesn’t mean you can’t find an affordable rate. The rate you need is out there, you just need to uplift a few stones in order to find it.

Learn more on private jet flight tracker and jet charter flight purchasing guide.

Traveler’s Aide: Canceled cruise ship bookings leave Olympic visitors high and dry - USA Today

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:01:08 +0000

Traveler's Aide: Canceled cruise ship bookings leave Olympic visitors high and dry
USA Today
I asked about a room for four people, including my two children, aboard the Norwegian Star cruise ship, which was anchored in Vancouver. …

Dream coming along nicely.

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:20:59 +0000

http://www.meyerwerft.com/page.asp?l…subs=0&did=826

Choosing The Right Rental Vehicle For Your Adventure

Jason Hall — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:58:05 +0000

While visiting Queensland, it is important that you are aware of the rules, when you are traveling through the outback. Before you enter the road, you are required to contact the police and let them know where you are heading. Once you reach your destination, you are then required to make another phone call to the police and inform them of your arrival. This is an important procedure, so that if you are not at your destination and the approximate time of your arrival, they police will be able to easily find you. It is also important to know that although you can travel these roads with a car, the best choice of vehicle is a 4 WD.

When you are traveling in the outback, it is also important to have any spare equipment, for your car, that you may need. If you were to brake down, the area is so remote that it can take hours for a tow truck to reach you, and it can also be costly. Another item that you should have is a high frequency radio transmitter, since the cell phone reception is not always reliable.

Another essential item, that you should always have on you, is water. It is recommended that you carry at least 20 litres of water per person, as well as an ample supply of food. There are also certain times of the year that makes a road more easily traveled on then others. From November to March, it is not recommended that you travel Queensland’s south west, due to an abundance of dust that can increase mechanical problems. While in the North, it is not recommended that you travel during the rainy season, as the roads tend to get flooded.

One of the best ways to ensure that you are traveling the proper roads, and are fully prepared for your journey, is to speak with the local police. They will advise you on which tracks are open and what is the suitable car for your travels. Another useful service is the RACQ (Royal Automobile Club of Queensland. When you join, they will cover up to $95 per year, and offer a 24 hour emergency roadside assistance service. If something were to happen, they will promptly arrive and try to correct the situation. If the problem can not be corrected they will arrange towing for you, making them a great asset. RACQ can also provide you with maps, weather and road conditions, and they sell a range of travel and driving products that will help with your travels.

If you do run into trouble, it is VERY important that you stay with your car. Cars are much easier to spot than people in the outback and plenty of travelers have wandered off into the wilderness, dying of thirst long after their abandoned car was found!

For the a Australia car hire that travelers can rely on check out www.budget.com.au. There variety is grander then the rest and you will be sure to get a reliable automobile. It is the car rental Gold Coast travelers can rely on!

Oh no…not another “Blue Lagoon” question

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:07:10 +0000

We are booked for our first DCL cruise on the Dream in March 2011. It is a Graduation trip for my DD and her best friend. The highlight of her entire vacation will be the Dolphin Swim at Blue Lagoon. I guess my concern is, after reading related posts, is that Blue Lagoon may not accept direct bookings from DCL passengers. As we are first time cruisers the excursion booking window for us, thru DCL, will not open up til Jan 2011. I am concerned that by the time we are able to book, that it will no longer be available (thru DCL), so that is why we are hoping that if we book directly, we may have a better chance of securing a reservation. The most recent posts/ replies on this topic appear to be from several months ago, so i was hoping to hear from someone who may have had more recent experience that they could share, as to what direction we should take. Thanks a bunch!!

Cathay Pacific Shares Set to Cruise Higher: Charts - CNBC

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:02:26 +0000

Cathay Pacific Shares Set to Cruise Higher: Charts
CNBC
Cathay Pacific's posted its best six-month profit in two years on Wednesday, lending support to its shares which were already up nearly 2 percent ahead of …

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