Tag: alcohol

Pushkar TraveL Information

Pushkar TraveL Information

14-km from Ajmer, Pushkar is legendary among travellers looking for new experiences. It offers much more than most weekend getaways can hope to pack in: temples, ghats, street bazaars, caf?s, and of course, desert safaris. As a religious site, Pushkar practically sells itself: it is home to one of the two Brahma temples in the country. The region is a labyrinth of 500-odd temples, 52 ghats and palaces clustered around a holy lake.
According to legend, the lake sprang up at the spot where a lotus fell from Lord Brahma`s hands-and has curative properties. Religious site notwithstanding, Pushkar is an artsy hippie region peopled with sadhus, hippies and pilgrims. On the one hand, it attracts the flower child. On the other, it is a sanctified spot characterized by temples and ghats. Whether you detoxify in a heritage hotel, take part in religious rituals, study temple architecture, or simply do touristy things like shopping, eating out and camel safaris, Pushkar has much to draw you in.
For the uninitiated, it has been on the hippie circuit for years is easily available in this vegetarian and alcohol-free town! The town is very small and as someone put it, “you could pretty much cover it in about an hour”. Pushkar has all requisite distractions; visitors can purchase florescent shirts, a set of drums, paintings, books, trance and reggae CDs, religious paraphernalia, silver jewellery, sequinned and embroidered sandals, blankets, and handmade weapons; try multicuisine delicacies at caf?s littering the marketplace; and party at night-long desert raves. More surprises awaited in the form of Salvador Dali! Emporiums in Sadar Bazaar either hawk paintings, wall hangings, diaries and T-shirts of his works or inspired thereby.
If Rajasthan is a land of diversity, Jaipur is its most sublime expression. The seduction`s easily explained. Jaipur is a city of vivid and unforgettable images: Jal Mahal [a palace in the midst of Man Sagar lake], ochre-pink buildings, camels standing astride a Mercedes Benz at traffic lights, theatres showing  films in a busy marketplace[!], artisans engaging in block printing, gem cutting, and puppet making.
The staggering maze of old-world palaces and forts-the city`s archaeological treasures-are for many the sole reason for traveling to Jaipur. I began my odyssey at a vantage point in the city-Amer fort, Jaipur`s grand icon and showpiece. A centre of royal pomp under the reign of Raja Man Singh, Amer was initially a palace complex within the original fort, which is today known as Jaigarh fort. Connected with Amer through fortified passages, Jaigarh fort is renowned for the world`s biggest cannon on wheels, Jai Ban.
By 10 a.m., the tourists are out on the streets, battling crowds and traffic as they wind their way from palaces and baroque buildings to the ruins of antiquity. Indeed, Jaipur often appears to have two populations: one of locals and another of visitors. The old city is a fascinating place to wander around, with its quaint bazaars [there`s a market that only sells bangles!], artisans` digs, and the Hawa Mahal [it is part of the City Palace and has 953 windows]. During the winters especially, it plays host to a horde of sightseers who converge on it with guidebooks and cameras in hand. To all-Americans, Europeans, Indians-Jaipur extends a warm welcome … wining, dining, and entertaining them in its inimitable fashion. The traffic, unfortunately, is worse than ever.

Scuba Diving – is it Safe

Scuba Diving – is it Safe

Diving – Is it Safe?

Scuba Diving can be a dangerous sport if you do not take a ‘be safe always’ approach when entering the water. It has a lot to do with your personality at the end of the day. It will be as safe as you want it to be, even in times of extreme weather or water conditions. it is important to be always stay alert. Just like crossing the road, if you don’t take precautions and follow the simple rules that you have learnt as a child, accidents can happen anytime anywhere!

Get certified by a professionally recognised centre

Many new divers do not check that the centre they are learning from, particularly when they visit more remote places in Asia, that their dive instruction is received from a professionally organised and run centre. There is often a presumption that all dive centres have gone through proper checks, controls and certification. Unfortunately, there are many who profess to be qualified to instruct, but to save costs, have not received authentication from professional bodies such as PADI or SDI which have strict rules and requirements for all dive operators. Don’t miss this first check when you step in. Always ask to see proof of their certification.

Be medically certified to dive

See your doctor before you sign up for dive instruction. No one else should care as much about your safety as you! And no one else will be as sorry as you if there are accidents or problems when you dive. Get physically checked and if necessary, obtain a letter from your doctor authorising you to learn to dive.

Be aware of the conditions and your own diving competency level

Sometimes, it is best to follow your instinct. If you feel the currents are too strong, or you are not feeling well, stop your dive by informing your buddy straightaway and ascend together. Do not try to attempt a dive if you are uncomfortable. We have seen many experienced divers abandon dives due to strong currents, and that has saved them and their dive group a lot of trouble.

Never dive in terrain or environments you are not certified for

In order to dive caves, do night dives or penetrate wrecks, you should have received proper training and certification before you attempt them. There are techniques that you must learn in order to be safe for such specialty dives. Choose from the wide range of the Specialty Courses that krabidivers.com conducts regularly which is of interest to you, and you will find that you will be much more confident whenever you dive the next wreck or cave.

Be prepared to say “No” to a dive

If you find yourself uncomfortable or unsure, even after you have started to descend or are in the middle of a dive, it is OK to cancel that dive and come back another day when the conditions are more favourable. It does not mean that you are not a good diver – infact very often, it is the smart diver who knows himself best – and knows when to say “No thanks, I will sit out this one.”

Never dive alone

Regardless of experience levels, you should never dive alone. If you lose your buddy during a dive, look around for no more than one to two minutes. If you still cannot find your buddy, you should end your dive and make your way up to the surface. Not only will it be safer for you, it will also give comfort to your buddy that you are watching out for him too.

Prepare for a dive well

The night before a dive trip, you should always rest well, and hydrate yourself by drinking lot of water. And, you should not have a heavy night’s drinking as alcohol causes dehydration. Dehydration contributes to many diving-related illnesses.

Always check your dive gear before each dive (especially for rental gear!)

Before you go on each dive, always check all your dive gear again. Make sure that your regulator and hoses are working well without leaks, your BCD inflates well and your tank has the right level of air. Do not assume that just because you have returned from one dive safe and sound, using the same set of dive gear will not cause any problems on the next dive. Many shops have rental gear which may not have been serviced well or for a long time. You should check all gear, rental or your own, well before every single dive.

Choose a buddy who dives like you

While choosing a buddy who dives like you may not be an option many of the times, it is always good to get to know your buddy before you start diving together. Ask simple questions such as how many times he has dived, where he has dived, when his last dive was, and how good he is at air usage. This will help you to also anticipate problems your buddy may have during the dive. The most enjoyable dives are sometimes when you have a good buddy, who shares with you the sights he comes across and paces well with you throughout the dive.

Drink plenty of water

Diving can be a very dehydrating sport. Make sure that before every dive, you have plenty of water. I always make it a point to drink a cup of water just before I jump into the water. This has always helped me to stay well hydrated throughout the dive for the next 45 to 60 minutes.

Pay attention during your pre-dive briefing

Dive briefings are important to help you understand what to expect when in the water. Your dive guide will explain about the terrain, what you should expect to see as well as how to best navigate yourself around the dive site for a most enjoyable dive. It will also help you to anticipate changes in the terrain so that there are no surprises.

Be aware of sympthoms of hypothermia, heat exhaustion and dehydration

Watch out for all the sympthoms as you are your best judge of whether your dive will cause any problems. It is always best to be safe and not sorry, so look out for tingling sensations, nausea, giddiness, numbness and any other sensations that makes you uncomfortable. Inform your dive buddy and/or your dive guide about it, and stop the dive and start your ascend to the surface.

Respect marine life

All marine life needs to be respected, not just the big stuff. Be very aware of your surroundings and the fish and coral life around you. Do not touch anything as far as possible, especially if you are unsure if it will be poisonous. Remember, the ocean belongs to the marine life and we’re the visitors!

Diving is as safe as any other sport. As divers, we have a responsibility to the environment, to other divers and most of all, to ourselves to ensure safety and preservation. Safe diving is practiced if you choose the right partner to dive with, so make sure you find out about the dive centre, instructors and guides, and feel very comfortable that they practise the prescribed safety standards diligently and conscientiously.

TRAVEL NUGGETS

TRAVEL NUGGETS

v     When traveling, make adequate enquires about the hotel, motel, restaurant, rest rooms and environmental conditions of your desired location.

v     Ensure that the hotel rooms have reusable and recyclable materials to prevent land pollution.

v     Do not carry too much tourist maps and brochures. Pick only the ones that are needed for your desired location.

v     Contact the Health Officer if you find a deceased animal along your route. This is necessary so as to prevent an epidermic.

v     Obey caution signs found in areas where there is wildlife so as to prevent accident

v     Do not throw non-organic garbage on the road when traveling because they could attract animals which can result to accident or act as threat to humans.

v     If you wish to renew or obtain your passport, then link to passport offices in your preferred location. For instance, one who wishes to renew or obtain a passport in the United States should locate any of their offices for the necessary information. You can also find out if there are visa requirements for your location.

v     Women in their last trimester of pregnancy are not allowed to travel by cruise. This is necessary so as to prevent miscarriage since some of them may have phobia for water bodies.

v     A letter of permission is required from a single parent traveling with children from the other partner.

v     Do not eat any diet you are not used to so as to avoid stomach upset.

v     Have an adequate knowledge on call rates globally so that you would not be cheated unnecessarily.

v     You must possess a good traveler fanny pack to keep essential documents such as passports, visa and so on.

v     Do things with moderation. For instance, do not take too much alcohol so as to avoid being a victim of assault.

v     Always abide by table etiquette in your chosen location. For instance, when eating rice in Japan, do not leave your chopstick standing in a vertical position. It symbolizes death in Japanese culture.

v     Consult travel agents who can provide appropriate information on agencies offering discounts on holidays.

Whether you are a new travel enthusiast or old pro, you can make your holidays more interesting and fulfilling by enhancing your experience. Whatever means you choose to embark on your tour, try to get the best out of it.

Staying Safe on a Wild Spring Break

Staying Safe on a Wild Spring Break

You’ve spend the last few months cramming for exams and saving up  your cash by avoiding unnecessary purchases like those Honda motorcycle parts, so you deserve a crazy, fun spring break. Whether you’re heading off to Cancun or you’ll be in the South of France for a week or two, you’ve got to take some safety precautions if you want to keep safe. Follow my tips and suggestions for a safe and healthy spring break vacation.

  1. Don’t over drink. Many people associate fun and crazy with alcohol, and while that may be true, make sure you are smart about drinking. Follow local drinking laws and make sure that you have your identification with you at all times. If you do decide to drink, make sure that you don’t overindulge. It will not only put a damper on the rest of the trip, but it could make you vulnerable as a result of your lowered inhibitions. Never go to a bar and drink alone, always make sure you’ve got a friend or two out with you and look out for each other.
  2. Don’t get sunburned. We all no the dangers presented by the sun, so be careful. You don’t want to overexpose your skin to the sun because it will certainly ruin the trip and it is incredibly unhealthy. Always wear sunscreen while out on the beach. You should apply it at least 30 minutes before you go out and you should really lather it on. You can still a tan with sunscreen, so don’t let that affect your decision to wear it.
  3. Don’t invite strangers over to your hotel. This may be tempting to do while out on vacation, but it’s incredibly dangerous. Unless you know someone well, you shouldn’t invite them in. It leaves you and your belongings vulnerable. If you aren’t expecting someone and you hear a knock at the door, don’t answer it without verbal or visual confirmation of their identity.