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Recording Memories on Your Vacation
Vacations are where dreams come alive and memories are made. Whether you capture your significant other catching their first wave or your child’s first time down the bunny slope, there are many ways to remember such events.
The most common way to capture a memory is to take a picture. This is a wonderful way to share your memories with family and friends. While pictures are the best way to capture memories there are many different types of cameras available.
To help you choose the best camera or cameras for your vacation I have put together a few of the most commonly used. These are some of the devices you can use to capture your memories on vacation this year.
Disposable 35mm Camera
While there are lots of fancy cameras on the market these days you can still get your hands on disposable 35mm film cameras. They are easy to use and basic so if you lose one it is not a huge financial loss. These cameras are great for giving the kids on vacation so you do not worry about expensive equipment.
Regular 35mm Camera
For those of you who prefer the original 35mm film then you should take along the old type of camera. They are perfect for artistic shots and good for experienced photographers. Film can be frustrating because you do not get a screen shot of what you just took and there is more room for error.
Digital Point and Shoot Camera
The basic and easy to navigate digital cameras are point and shoot cameras. Many different brands make these cameras and they are not all expensive. These digital cameras are perfect for capturing memories on vacation and many are very compact. You can throw it in your pocket and snap quick shots when the moments arise.
Digital SLR Camera
The more fancy digital cameras you can purchase for your trip are SLR cameras with multiple lenses. While one lens may be for taking pictures up close you would want another for taking landscape shots. To make your traveling bag a little lighter you can purchase a lense with a large range.
Waterproof Camera
If you are heading to a tropical destination or somewhere you will be in the water a lot the waterproof camera is a perfect choice. There are disposable and nice digital waterproof cameras that are built to get wet. The digital waterproof cameras are great for taking snorkeling, swimming and on a ride down a log chute.
Video Camera
For celebrating a special occasion or a new experience make sure you purchase a video camera for this vacation. They are perfect for capturing the sounds, live images and real emotion in a situation. Take one along on your vacation to make sure you get all the action packed excitement recorded.
Buy Wisely
Before you go out and purchase a camera do your research on the brand, price and reviews. There are so many different types of cameras that it can be overwhelming. If you know the type of camera you want for the vacation it will be a lot easier to pick one out. Enjoy shopping and have fun on your vacation.
Last Minute Items for Your Tropical Vacation
If you are planning on getting out of the cold weather and into the sunshine this holiday break there are some items you won’t want to forget. It is important to protect yourself from your head to your toes. With these last minute items you are sure to enjoy all aspects of a tropical vacation without repercussions. Read on to make sure you don’t leave any of these items behind.
Wide Brim Hat
If you are lacking in the hair department it is important to bring along a hat or two for long periods of sunshine. Also to keep your face from getting scorched on the first day you may want to wear a hat at the beach. Throw one in your carryon or wear it to the airport. Just make sure you don’t forget your hat.
Sunglasses
While you may have already packed your sunglasses you would be surprised how many forget them. Throw them in their case and in your bag the night before or you will end up in a corny pair from the airport or local convenient store. Those would be some entertaining photographs.
Sun Screen
To avoid becoming a lobster the first day at the beach make sure you rub on the sunscreen. Put a travel size in your carry-on and a large bottle in your luggage if you are checking a bag. You never know if they have your brand or SPF where you are staying at the destination.
Lip Balm
One of the places many forget to protect when they go out in the sun is their lips. Poor lips get burnt, blister and crack from too much sun exposure. Be kind to your lips and bring along a couple of SPF lip balms in your carryon. It will be a lot more pleasant for you if you do.
Board Shorts
To avoid getting too much sun while you are swimming in the water, bring a pair of board shorts along. There are plenty of cute board shorts available for men, women and children so the whole family can bring a pair. Women and girls can wear a pair over their bathing suit for the added protection.
Sun Shirts
When you are out sightseeing or relaxing in the warm weather it is nice to have a linen shirt or SPF shirt along to filter the rays. These are great at helping prevent unwanted sunburns. Whether you work indoors year round or have been stuck inside due to the cold weather it is important to protect yourself.
Practical Footwear
While you may have your flip flops packed in the luggage already make sure you wear or bring a pair of practical footwear. Strap on sandals with good support are perfect for long hours of walking on your feet. Stop by your local sports store or specialty outdoor store to find a pair for the trip.
Double Check
After you packed your bags make sure and double check that you have all the items listed above. They will help make your tropical vacation more enjoyable. If you need to run out and buy one or two make sure you do so before the day you leave. Enjoy your tropical vacation.
Ten Items that Make Air Travel Fly By
When traveling on airplanes some flight can seem like they take forever. With crying children, snoring adults and bright lights it seems as though you can never get any good sleep on airplanes. To help you pass the time when you are stuck in a small seat for hours on end I have come up with ten items that make air travel fly by.
1. Ear Plugs
With loud noises everywhere on airplanes you can hardly get any rest. The best solution to drown out the noise is to pack a good pair of ear plugs. The soft squishy ones that you squeeze and then they expand to fit your ear are best at blocking noise.
2. Eye Mask
Whether you are trying to sleep on a redeye flight with reading lights on or on a day flight airplanes can be very bright. Purchasing an eye mask is a life saver for those of you who have a hard time sleeping with light. They are lightweight and pack easily so you can fit it in your purse.
3. Sleeping Medicine
One trick to getting a nice solid nap on your long flight is to take a mild dose of sleeping medicine. This is only good if you do not have any children to take care of as you will fall into a deeper sleep than usual. Tylenol PM is great for six hour cross country flights.
4. MP3 Player
Packing your MP3 player is a great alternative to the music selection on most airplanes these days. They offer a decent selection on some of the larger and newer planes but most do not have the personal entertainment centers. Make yourself a mix of relaxation music to listen to for the flight and name it flight music so you can find it easily.
5. Headphones
A nice pair of sound eliminating headphones is a great investment for traveling. They reduce the background noise dramatically so you can hear your music clearly without turning the volume on high.
6. DVD Player
Watching a couple of movies on your flight really helps time fly as long as you really like the themes. The best thing to do is bring your own DVD player and headphones so you do not have to watch what the plane is watching unless you want to.
7. Books
Reading a good book is an easy way to pass the hours of a long airplane flight. Bringing along one or two chapter books that you have not had time to read at home is always nice. This is a great opportunity to get any pleasure reading done in your busy schedule.
8. Puzzle Books
Playing around in a puzzle book can really pass the time as well so make sure you bring one you enjoy. Things like Sudoku and crossword puzzles are fun to do when you are stuck in your seat for hours to take you mind off of the flight.
9. Computer Games
If you are into computer games and have a laptop than bringing it along for the flight can be fun. There are some simple games on computers like solitaire and spider solitaire that you can play. However, if you are into the more complex computer games it is possible to use them on most domestic flights now with the internet access.
10. Sketch Pad
For the aspiring artist or artist at heart it is always nice to pack a sketch pad and some pencils to draw. This is a lightweight and fun activity that is sure to pass the time of a long airplane flight.
While you may relate to a couple or more of the things listed above there is something for everyone. It can be difficult to sit in your small seat for long periods of time but with the things listed above your travel experience will not seem so long. Enjoy your flight and remember to pack the necessities to make your flight more enjoyable.
The Best Beach on Kauai for the Whole Family
Poipu Beach is by far the best beach on the island of Kauai to take your whole family. This beach has some of the calmest waters. Just outside the breakwater you can take part in snorkeling, boogie boarding, kayaking, surfing and swimming. Do not miss out on this beach if you are traveling to Kauai, Hawaii with your family.
Great Location
Poipu Beach is located on the south shore of the island of Kauai in the town of Poipu. There are plenty of beautiful accommodations nearby that you can rent rooms out of for nightly or weekly rates. If you are looking for a month or two then there are also great condos to rent in Poipu. By renting a condo you are able to prepare your own food which is a great money saving opportunity.
Plenty of Shade
This beach is wonderful for shade as there are plenty of large palm trees to sit under. There are also a few really nice covered areas that have picnic benches for eating and staying cool. With shade abundant you do not have to worry about burning too bad the first day as long as you wear plenty of sunscreen.
Showers
Poipu Beach has several wonderful showers that are great for rinsing off the salt water after swimming in the ocean. This way you do not feel sticky from the salt and sweat from being out in the sun for several hours. Take advantage of these while you are there since not all beaches have a place to rinse off.
Restrooms
There are several restrooms down at Poipu Beach which are great for changing into your bathing suit and back into your clothes. It is nice to also have the ability to use the restroom whenever you need to without going back to your room.
Playground
There is a wonderful playground down at Poipu Beach that is great from young children to keep busy. When the kids are ready for a break in the water it is nice to have a playground right there to entertain them. This is a definite perk for families with younger children that need lots of busy body entertainment.
Young Children
Babies and young children will love spending the day at Poipu Beach. There is a wonderful pool of water that is less than two feet deep on the left side of the beach. This area has a breakwater of volcanic rock that keeps the water very calm even during larger swells on the ocean. This is the perfect place for babies and young children to play in the water and learn how to swim.
Beautiful Sand
Poipu Beach has some areas that are rocky however there is a good portion of the beach where you have plenty of beautiful sand. This is perfect for digging holes and making sand castles for hours on end. Do not forget to bring your buckets and shoves when you visit the beach. Most rentals have beach toys for you to use or you can purchase them cheap at the grocery store.
Wonderful Overall
Overall Poipu Beach is by far the best beach on Kauai for the whole family. With the beautiful sand, calm waters, entertainment and plenty of restrooms and shade you really cannot go wrong here. Make sure you visit this wonderful beach during your vacation on Kauai. You may even be lucky enough to stay in a nearby accommodation. This beach, water activities and playground are sure to give your children hours of great play time.
TSA Rules for Traveling with Luggage
Since the security breech almost a decade ago there has been heightened security in all airports around the world. In the beginning there were no liquids or potentially harmful metal objects allowed in your carryon but as time went on they became more reasonable. Now days there are specific allowances and restrictions for carryon and checked luggage. Here is the most recent safety information so you can pack accordingly.
Liquids & Gels
The rule for each passenger when it comes to liquids and gels is known as the 3-1-1 rule. This means that each person can have one zipped closure bag that is one quart size. The person is allowed to fill the bag with three ounce sized containers of liquids and gels. The actual maximum size allowance is 100ml so make sure you check your bottles and tubes.
Sharp Objects
You are allowed to bring disposable razors and their cartridges for shaving in your carryon luggage. Also you can bring scissors that are shorter than four inches, plastic knives, butter knives, tweezers, nail clippers and nail files.
You must pack all other sharp objects in your checked luggage to comply with their regulations. The objects must be properly stowed in a case or wrapping to not inflict harm on potential inspectors. This includes but is not limited to box cutters, ice picks, ice axes, pointed knives, meat cleavers, utility knives, sabers, scissors longer than four inches and swords.
Sports Equipment
Now days you cannot carry on most types of sports equipment except the different types of balls and protection gear. Round small sports equipment like softballs, baseballs, soccer balls, footballs and hockey pucks are not listed as prohibited items.
Things like baseball bats, cricket bats, weights, hockey or lacrosse sticks, golf clubs, pool cues, ski poles and bows and arrows are not allowed on board. These items have to be packed and checked in luggage underneath the plane. Also skis, snowboards and surfboards have to be packed in special bags and checked on their own.
Firearms & Ammunition
While many airlines do allow you to check your guns in proper cases in your checked luggage some do not allow guns period. It is important to contact your airline to see what is allowed and what is not before packing for your trip. If the airline does allow you to pack firearms they must be declared at check in to show they are packed correctly.
The rules for BB guns, pellet guns and compressed air guns are the same as regular firearms. Also gun parts and replicas must be packed under the airplane as well. These rules are in place to protect you and other travelers. Also remember that flares and gun powder are not allowed when traveling on airplanes ever.
Tools
Most tools are to be wrapped and packed in your checked luggage except screwdrivers, pliers and wrenches seven inches or smaller .The tools that must be checked include axes, hatchets, crowbars, hammers, drills, saws and large wrenches, pliers and screwdrivers. Remember only seven inch or smaller tools may be packed in your carryon.
Self Defense & Martial Arts
While it is important for many people to have personal self defense items on themselves at all times you cannot carry these items onboard. Items such as Billy clubs, black jacks, brass knuckles, kubatons, marital arts weapons, night sticks, nunchakus, stun guns, shocking devices and self defense sprays must be checked. However you cannot check a self defense spray with containing more than 2% by mass of Tear Gas.
Explosive & Flammable Material
There are no explosive or flammable materials allowed on the airplane in either your carryon or checked luggage. The explosive items include but are not limited to dynamite, fireworks, flares, hand grenades, plastic explosives and realistic replicas of explosives.
The flammable materials not allowed include most aerosols, fuels, gasoline, gas torches, lighter fluid, torch lighters, strike anywhere matches, flammable paints, paint thinner and turpentine. You are allowed two properly cased lighters with fuel in them and one book of non-strike anywhere matches in your carryon.
Chemicals & Other Items
The only other items that may be checked in your luggage or carryon are small compressed gas cartridges, nonflammable paint, and small aerosol toiletries. Remember that the containers in your carryon must be clearly labeled at 100ml or less.
Items such as chlorine for pools and spas, fire extinguishers, liquid bleach and spray paint are not allowed period. However, gel candles, snow globes and gel shoe inserts are allowed in checked luggage only.
It is important to be up to date on the current rules and regulations by the TSA to ensure you are flying safely. Do not forget to pack your carryon liquids and gels in one quart sizes bag and large liquids or gels in your checked luggage. Also make sure you check with your airlines with any questions regarding items in your carryon or checked luggage. This will ensure you do not have any troubles when traveling at the airports.
Checklist for Moving to Hawaii with Your Pets
When you move far distances on the mainland with your pets there is not much to do other than have a safe place for them to travel. On the other hand when you move over seas to Hawaii there is a lot to do in order for your pets to travel safely. To help you with the move I have written a checklist for moving to Hawaii with your pet.
Time
The most important thing to have when moving to Hawaii with pets is time. The process of getting them ready to travel over seas takes over four months so try and give yourself leeway. This will take the stress and financial burden of the move off of your shoulders.
Breed
Many cats and dogs are allowed to move onto the Hawaiian Islands however there are breed restrictions. You cannot bring any dogs or cats that are not domestic and bread with or full blood wolf, Dingo, Bengal or Savannah. These types of animals pose a potential threat to people and other animals.
Age
It is very important to consider the age of your animals before deciding to bring them to Hawaii. Traveling can be very hard on animals and cause them to panic or have difficulty with their health. Older animals are not advised to fly on airplanes and young animals have to wait to have their vaccinations completed.
Cost
There are additional fees that come along with bringing your dog or cat to Hawaii. You have to pay for the travel fees along with the vaccinations, medical exam, titer testing, and entry fees. Be prepared to spend quite a bit of money per pet when taking them to Hawaii.
Rabies
The state of Hawaii is rabies free and they take great pride in this fact so that is why it is difficult to bring animals there. You have to make sure your pet has had at least two rabies vaccinations in their life that were administered at least thirty days apart. Also the most recent vaccine must have been at least ninety days prior to arrival.
Microchip
Every cat and dog that plans to make the move to Hawaii must have a microchip placed inside them. The microchip is a way to identify the animal and the number is used on their medical records and blood tests.
Titer Test
In order to be certain no animal with rabies will come to Hawaii and infect another animal they require a titer test. This test is called the OIE-FAVN Rabies Blood Test and it has to be sent away to a laboratory. The lab must receive the test at least one hundred and twenty days before the animal is expected to arrive in Hawaii.
Waiting Period
The one hundred and twenty days after the test is received by the laboratory is considered the waiting period. This is approximately four months before you leave for Hawaii so it is important to plan way ahead. Work out a timeline with your veterinarian so the test is administered with time to spare.
Quarantine
If you are not lucky enough to have more than four months to spare and wait for your test, than your animal must be quarantined upon arrival in Hawaii. They do this for families that must move there with little notice and are desperate to have their four legged friends in tow.
Getting Everything Together
Finally after months of waiting and quite a few visits to the vet it is time to go one last time before you travel to Hawaii. This last appointment at the veterinarian is critical and must be done within fourteen days of travel. At the appointment you must obtain signed copies of a health certificate, vaccinations and the OIE-FAVN results. Also your pet must be treated with a tick killing drug containing Fipronil and you need proof from your vet.
With all your original copies signed by the veterinarian you will be good to go. It is quite a lot to do by worth it to bring your furry friend along. Remember to read up on my traveling with pets checklist to understand the other aspects of traveling with pets.
Traveling Across Country with Infants and Toddlers
Whether you are planning a big move or a fun family vacation it can be a challenge when you have young children. Traveling with infants and toddlers requires lots of patients and plenty of free time. It is especially important to plan accordingly when traveling across country with little ones. With the right preparations your trip can be fun and successful.
Plan Your Route
Before you hit the road it is important to figure out how long of a trip it is to your destination or multiple destinations. Once you figure out how far it is and the roads you will be taking then you have an accurate mileage count. This is important when determining how many days you will need.
Driving Schedule
It is important to give yourself plenty of time when traveling with little ones. Trying to cram lots of driving into each day will become wearing on your energy and patients. To help make your trip more fun, break up the drive into no more than five hundred miles in one day. This will most likely take you all day to do so it is important to get an early start.
Book Hotels
To make your travel plans run smoothly and to get a bit of down time between days of driving make sure you book hotels. With an accurate driving schedule you should be able to book your rooms along the way. This is nice so you can have a place to shower, bathe the kids and relax before getting back on the road.
Pack a Cooler
When you have infants and toddlers in tow it is really important to pack a cooler with snacks and drinks. Having plenty of sippy cups and bottles of formula or breast milk is essential for long trips. You will also want to pack non-perishable sandwiches in case there are no places to get lunch when they get hungry.
Plan on Stopping
When traveling by car with your little ones it is hard to drive for long periods of time. Remember to plan on stopping quite a bit with infants and toddlers, especially if you are potty training. It is almost more convenient when they are in diapers because you can wait to stop and change them instead of taking lots of potty breaks.
Entertainment
To make the ride more enjoyable for your infants and toddlers make sure you pack plenty of toys and books. Teething rings, rattles, links and sensory toys are great for infants to keep them busy in their rear facing car seats. On the other hand toddlers require more stimulation so a DVD player, DVDs and books to read are great for road trips. Also kid songs CDs are great if you do not mind singing along for fun.
Necessities
While this is the last category on the list necessities are the most important things for your trip. Infants and toddlers have a lot more necessities than older children to make their experience more enjoyable. Remember the binkies, bottles, sippy cups, blankies, diapers, wipes, extra clothes and medicines.
If your babies get fevers or are teething it is nice to have your bag of goodies along to help save the day. Also if there is a spit up situation or a blowout it is always nice to be prepared. You cannot prepare enough when it comes to traveling long distance with your infants and toddlers so take your time when packing and planning.
Weekly Art Walk in Hanapepe, Kauai
If you visit the island of Kauai in Hawaii than you will not want to miss out on the weekly art walk in Hanapepe. This beautiful old town has been gutted, refurbished and turned into quite the little character. With delicious food and fun music to enjoy, you can walk the streets admiring local artists every Friday evening on your visit to Kauai.
Food
There are several great little places to grab a place to eat down in Hanapepe including some delicious barbeque pork and chicken. The Hanapepe Bakery is also a wonderful little place to have a special dinner on Friday nights if you make reservations. They fill up fast so make sure you call ahead.
In addition to cute little places to eat there are several trucks that make their way throughout the island and park in Hanapepe for art walk night every Friday. There is currently a truck that makes delicious authentic Thai food and Thai iced tea. Also they have a taco truck that prepares some delicious fresh fish tacos.
While dinner is delicious you have to save some room for the yummy pies that are baked fresh and served at art walk. There is a local baker that brings an assortment of fun flavors every week so you can try different ones or purchase a whole pie to take back to your home away from home.
Music
As a wonderful form of art music is abundant at the Hanapepe art walk. There are plenty of local musicians that rotate the art walk each week. With guitars and singing there is a mix of new age and old school Hawaiian music that is sure to get you and your children up and dancing.
Make sure you wear some comfortable shoes so that you can walk around and dance for all the great musicians. The main street in Hanapepe where the art walk is can be long for little ones so pack a stroller when you visit. Then the whole family can enjoy an evening of fun music and dancing.
Galleries
The main street in Hanapepe is full of great little art galleries that host a variety of art types from mostly local artists. There is plenty for sale if you would like to take a little piece of Kauai home with you as well. With so many different types of artists in Kauai there is sure to be an artist that suits your taste for artwork in your home.
When you visit the galleries some of the local artists will be part of art walk so you can meet them in person. It is great to chat with the gallery owners and workers as well to get a feel for the artist if they are not present. Most of the people selling there are down to earth and friendly so you can ask as many questions as needed.
Enjoy the Evening
Since every Friday night is an art walk in Hanapepe you should try to go as many times as you can while you are on the island. Each week there are different local artists out selling on the streets and bringing different types of delicious edible art as well. Enjoy your stay on Kauai and remember to stop by Hanapepe on Friday evening while you are there.
Fun Things to Visit at Mall of America
While the Mall of America has all of your favorite clothing stores and shops you would normally see at a mall it also has a lot more. There are many extra shops and other fun things to do while you visit the largest mall in the United States. Next time you are in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area you should stop in and visit this huge indoor fun house. Listed below are some of the fun things you can visit at the Mall of America.