South Africa

South Africa, also known as the Republic of South Africa,has a very vast history. Any traveler looking for some adventure and knowledge will be enchanted. From the coastline that stretches more than 1,550 miles to the vast communities, this country has a lot to offer to any tourist that wants to have a vacation to remember. South Africa contains some of the oldest acheological sites in Africa, these include Sterkfontein, Kromdraai (wikipedia) and these places would be good for a traveler to start with. From the 11 laguages (English being official) this country has a lot of heritage to offer to any tourist traveling there.

Hola, Mexico!

Mexico is a great travel destination. It's not that far from the US which means it won't cost you as much as going to other destinations. You might feel like you already know a lot about our neighbor to the south but the truth is you never really know a culture until you immerse yourself in it. Eating tacos at your local Mexican restaurant or going to the Placita Olvera in LA is not the same as actually being on Mexican soil. Visiting Tijuana or other border towns, is a start to exploring Mexico but it doesn't really cut it. To truly visit Mexico, means you have to go further into the country.

Mexico is a modern country but you can easily find yourself within its ancient past. Imagine yourself standing at the steps of the ancient Sun Pyramid, and mere hours later dining in a fine restaurant. There is so much to explore in Mexico: fine beaches, ancient relics, beautiful landscapes, shops, restaurants, etc.

These are a couple of places to check out:

• Mexico City
• Teotihuacán (Ancient site that contains the Sun Pyramid. It is near Mexico City).
• Monterrey
• Guadalajara
• Acapulco

Once you have visited these sites, then you can really say that you have immersed yourself in the culture of Mexico.

If you would to learn more, please visit: http://www.visitmexico.com/wb2/

Traveling to Japan II

Traveling to Japan is a really exciting experience. Once you get there you must visit

certain places in order to get a grasp of Japanese culture.

The first stop after arriving at the airport is Tokyo. Tokyo is the most populated city

in the world. Here you will be able to find many shops, restaurants, visit the Imperial Palace

and go watch the Japanese baseball league at the Tokyo Dome.

The next must see city is Kyoto. Kyoto is the ancient capital of Japan. Here you will be able

to see temples, gardens, Shrines, and learn about the culture and history of Japan.

Next stop is Osaka, this is the largest city in the Kansai area of Japan and second biggest in

the country. In many aspects it is similar to Tokyo but you will see that Osaka is much diffrent than Tokyo culture wise. While in Osaka you must try Okonomiyaki and Takoyaki. These are two traditional foods of the region. You may find Okonomiyaki and Takoyaki stands all over Osaka.

Hiroshima is also in the list of places to visit. Hiroshima is known for the atomic bomb that was drop[ed in the city. In this city you can visit the Peace Museum and park.

Finally, the islands of Okinawa and Hokkaido are two places where you can find true relaxation.

Both islands are full of resorts. Okinawa is to the south and it is known to be Japan's Hawaii. To the north we have Hokkaido which is known for its delicious sushi and fish.

There are many more place you can visit while in Japan. This just a list of cities you might not want to miss if you are planning to visit the land of the rising sun.

If you are planning to visit Niagara Falls, make sure you go on the Canadian side. This side of the fall is much more amazing than the American side. Also, ride Maid of the Midst, this boat ride takes you under the falls. You are guaranteed to get wet and see a rainbow.

Traveling to Japan I

One of the most famous destination points in Asia is Japan. Although Japan is a small island nation, there are countless things a tourist can do in this country. A tourist may enjoy the great taste of Japanese food, vist amazing sightseeing spots, ride the fastest train in the world, enjoy the Japanese hot springs, and so much more.

I will like to make clear a common misunderstanding about traveling to Japan. People tend to think that Japan is too expensive for a tourist to travel. While it is true that Japan is expensive in many aspects of everyday life, it is not completely unaffordable to a tourist. Here is a list of things you can do to cut the costs of traveling to Japan.

First you can buy your airplane ticket through a traveling agency. Traveling agencies usually have specials and always look for the cheapest airplane tickets to any destination around the world. It is better if you look for qoutes in diffrent agencies.

Through these agencies you should also buy a Japan Railway Pass (JR PASS), this enables you to travel through all of Japan for a really cheap price. One of the most expensive things you will encounter in Japan is the cost of transportation. The JR PASS is a "All You Can Ride" ticket to all the JR trains in Japan. You can also use the bullet train, and this helps you get from one side of the country to another in a short time period.

If you are looking for a place to stay for a considerable price you should look for a hostel. They are affordable, clean, and near a train station. But if you want to stay at a hotel, you can still look for a cheap business hotel. You can do this through the help of you travel agent or through the internet.

While being in Japan you cannot miss the opportunity to get food from the convenience stores. Convenience stores in Japan are really convenient. You can find a wide range of snacks, drinks and food in them. They products in the convenience stores are delicious and cheap.

This is the first part of two posts on Japan. On my second post I will talk about places to visit and Japanese food you must try.

Making Traveling A Bit Easier

Traveling is supposed to be a relaxing experience but sometimes little things can get in the way and make the experience more of a hassle than it really has to be. These are a couple of tips that I have come up with to make your experience a bit easier and save you money.

Tips Before Parting:

• Make a list. You don’t have to make a detailed list to keep you informed of what you need. Making a quick simple list of some of the things you will need for your trip will help you remember what you need. Or instead of writing it down, you could simply put in your cell phone or email it to yourself.



• Pack early. Don’t wait until the day before you leave. Packing something each day in the week before you leave ensures that you won’t forget something and you won’t be stressed out about picking out what you need all in one day.



• Don't pack so many things. Chances are you won’t need so many things. Try to research the weather conditions of the place you are going to visit so you can pack accordingly.



• Set your alarm.Make sure you put one or more alarms to wake you up so you can arrive at the airport three hours before your trip.



• Call to confirm plane tickets, hotels, etc. before you leave your house.
  

Tips While Traveling:

Try the less populated restaurants. Instead of going to tourist populated restaurants, try the less populated restaurants. You'd be surprised to find out they have just as good food as the other restaurants for much lower prices.

Make your own lunch. You can make your own food/snacks before leaving your hotel, so instead of spending on food you can spend on other fun activities.

Keep on eye on your budget. Make sure that while your having fun, you don't overspend. It's easy to just spend, spend, spend, so keep make sure your spending within your limits.

Ma Tong Restaurant in Taiwan