Top Ten Things to Survive a Deserted Island

We’ve all played this game: What Would You Bring on a Deserted Island? A favorite book? Chapstick? Your pillow? A never ending supply of Oreos?

What if you could only bring 10 (real) items? What is most important? Here is a list of what I believe are the Top 10 Things to Survive a Deserted Island. Happy (Top Ten) Tuesday.

1. A Big Pot

Surviving on a deserted island includes finding fresh water. If you do not have water within a few days, you will definitely croak. Once you find a fresh water supply, you will want a large pot to boil it in. This will also be handy when cooking fish and any other meats you acquire.

Vegetarians and vegans beware! Sustainable vegetarian options will most likely be rare on the island. Wild boar might start looking pretty tasty after a few weeks of coconut milk and foliage.

2. Tarp

You may not think a tarp would be so wonderful, but it can serve many purposes in the wild. Mostly it will be a staple part of your shelter, but it can also be used to collect rain water and keep warm.

3. Swiss Army Knife

It’s entirely possible that you’ll want to pack heat during your time on the island. Personally I find guns intimidating and risky. I’d probably blow off my foot. You also may want to think about ammunition and how it’s going to run out.

For most castaways, a Swiss army knife should suit you just fine. Not only will it help you pop open a fresh pineapple or coconut, it will also help you expertly (or not so expertly) gut and debone a fish before you cook it. You can also trim your hair, cut your fingernails, and fashion small tools out of wood. We are becoming so handy!

4. Antibiotics

Let’s be real: you probably don’t have a lot of survival training. You are going to need to hike and hunt and cook and fashion some sort of shelter. This leaves much room for accidents and injuries. There are also all kinds of mysterious flora and fauna you will be tempted to eat, making it almost impossible not to contract some sort of infection that slowly eats away at your flesh or has you constantly running to your makeshift hole-in-the-ground bathroom. Be prepared and avoid dying a slow, painful, sandy death.

5. Fishing Pole

Like I mentioned before, if you don’t like fish, you should start thinking about how you’re going to learn to like fish. A lot. I am the world’s worst fisherwoman, but I can guarantee I’d turn into one of the best if it were one of my only sources of food.

6. Solar Powered Generator

You may be thinking—What?! How is this a deserted island experience with a solar powered generator helping you out? Remember that you are still sleeping on the sand and eating unseasoned fish for every meal. Also, despite your rockin’ tan, you definitely stink.

One thing you will never run out of on a deserted island is solar power. Go green the native way with a generator capable of powering your ham radio and anything else electronic you manage to bring with you (or you’re fortunate enough to see wash ashore).

Bring the instruction manual.

7. Economy Pack of Lighters

Fire is going to be absolutely essential to your island experience. Not only will it cook your fish and wild boar, but it will be your nighttime lamp and consistent morale booster. I don’t know about you, but starting a fire with two sticks is not something I’m going to magically learn how to do. Bring some lighters and sleep happily by the crackling light of a small fire that will warm you if the air turns cold and scare away predators.

8. Laptop

They actually make solar powered laptops these days, but if you don’t have one, you still have your solar powered generator. Use your laptop to improve quality of life by writing, keeping track of the time and date, listening to music, watching preloaded movies, or playing Tetris.

9.      Sleeping Bag

A sleeping bag is most definitely my least practical choice. You should probably bring an axe instead. An axe will allow you to chop firewood and be a vital tool in building a sturdy shelter. Unfortunately I don’t know how to use an axe or build a shelter, so I’m going to hope there’s a cave for rainy days.

My hope is that a sleeping bag will make nights more comfortable and result in a good night’s sleep. It makes my skin crawl to think about sleeping out in the open air without a layer of fabric to protect me from mosquitoes and bats and other nighttime creatures that are lurking around.

10. A Friend

Take a good look at all your friends and family and weed out the ones who could potentially push you to Lord of the Flies mode. Helpful qualities include conversational cleverness, woodworking skills, medical proficiency, and general dexterity. Read–> do not take Grandma or Snooki or me. Bonus points if you know anyone who has taken some sort of survivalist vacations in Australia.

If this friend is somehow also granted the gift of bringing 10 items, remember to compare notes before final selection so you don’t end up with two laptops because that would just be excessive.

5 Most Beautiful Island Beaches of the World

Beaches are one of the most fun places to spend your vacation. Whether you are a adventure lover, nature admirer, or you just want some relaxation after months of hard work and busy schedule, beach is definitely the place you would like to go. World is full of beautiful beaches, here are our lists of top 5 most beautiful island beaches of the world.

1. Fernando De Noronha, Brazil

Fernando De Noronha is no. 1 in our lists of beautiful beaches. It is located around 200 miles away from the Brazilian coast. It is basically an archipelago comprises of 21 islands and islets in the Atlantic Ocean. The population is mere around 2,000. The island is a World Heritage Site as declared by UNESCO. There is a restrictions on the number of visitors that can visit this island at one time by the environmental preservation group.

2. Maldives Islands

Second in our list is the beautiful Maldives. The island country of Maldives is located in the Indian Ocean south west of India. It comprises of 1,192 beautiful islands covered with colorful corals, white sandy beaches, and palm trees. The weather here are hot and humid as its location is very close to the equator. The country boost for its best calm beaches of the world. Maldives island are one of the top destinations for the honeymooners as well.

3. Anguilla, Caribbean

Anguilla is a small, quiet Caribbean island covered with beautiful white sandy beaches. Breathtaking scenery and the turquoise water of the ocean attracts visitors. Anguilla is great place to spend your vacation with family, or as couples. The pristine island of Anguilla is visited by many visitors but still seems pure and untouched. This small island of Anguilla comprises of more 30 beaches which offers some of the world’s most amazing views.

4. Boracay, Philippines

The island of Boracay is located 200 miles south of Manila in Philippines. Boracay Beach in the Boracay island is one of the most popular beach in this island among the tourist with family and honeymooners alike. The beaches here are world famous for its white shiny sand. The sunsets here are worth watching and capturing on cameras. It was once hailed the title of one of the world’s best beaches by Yahoo Travel and BMW Tropical Beach Handbook. And there is no doubt, it continues to attracts visitors by its beautiful scenery, sun kissed shores, and white, shiny and soft powdered sands which do not get hot even in the bright sunny afternoon .

5. Horseshoe Bay, Bermuda

Horseshoe Bay in Bermuda island is one of the most popular and beautiful beaches of the world despite being one of the expensive beach destination. Nice weather, calm water, quiet beaches, crystal clear water makes the Horseshoe Bay one of the beach lovers favorite destination. The unique thing about this beach is its pink sand which is not generally found in any other island beaches of the world.

The Top 3 Unknown Places to Visit

If you ever get to go anywhere in life, visit these places. They may not be so very well known, but they are some of the most beautiful places on Earth.

Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh

The 75 mile unbroken stretch of beach in Cox’s Bazar makes it the world’s longest ocean beach, and one of the most beautiful places to visit. There are many ancient beautiful temples and pagodas to visit along the beach, as well as towering cliffs and rolling hills that run parallel to the beach.

Glendalough, Ireland

A secluded monastic settlement an hour from Dublin that offers amazing picturesque sceneries and pristine views with changing landscapes and charming country trails.

Engelberg, Switzerland

A great ski resort town with few residents, Engelberg is home to the world’s only revolving cable car and has some of the best ski slopes in the whole world. Engelberg’s thrilling slopes and classic Swiss architecture make it a wondeful place to stay.

Travel to Asia With Kids

The good news is: expect to be treated better with kids, than without. The smiles, the indulgent attitude to pint-sized visitors, can be wonderful. Another plus is that meals and lodging in Asia are usually very low-cost.

Just remember this good stuff, when you're dealing with:

• long plane trips;
• health issues;
• "weird food" your kids don't like; and
• culture shock.

Long Plane Trips 
Plane rides with kids are an experience unto themselves. Remember that old tv show, Mission Impossible? Total preparation; total concentration on your job. Check out Plane Trips Tips.

Travel in Asia: Health issues 
Travel in Asia mean being really careful what your kids drink and eat. "Peel it, boil it, or forget it," is the golden rule.

If little Johnie still sticks things in his mouth, maybe you should delay that trip to Nepal. For work reasons, we took both a one-year-old and three-year-old to Sri Lanka; we talked about germs so much, the youngest had a phobia for years.

A cardinal rule: always wash hands after touching money. Carry your own wipes or liquid soap so you can keep this rule.

Where's the ketchup? 
Of course, a fussy eater may not want to eat any local "weird food", anyway. You may have looked forward for months to curries in Asia or nasi goreng, but not your kid.

In many countries, western foods are available, at a price; but you can't count on finding it when you need it. I recommend bringing peanut butter, fruit leather, breakfast cereals, crackers; powdered milk is handy, for cereal. Familiar instant soup or instant noodles from home can make a soothing meal; many guest-houses and informal restaurants will happily supply boiling water. Or you could bring a small immersion heater, to boil water in a cup--but be warned that Asia has a wonderful diversity of wall sockets.

More on what to take to Asia:

Pack plenty of disposable diapers; extra baby-wipes to clean little hands; a medical kit; baby backpack, and a great stroller. Your stroller is your cupboard on wheels, your rocking chair, your portable crib... Don't relinquish it at airports until you board the plane. A backpack is handy, for rough terrain; but in the hot sun, you'll bless your stroller for its shady canopy.

As for culture shock in Asia... 
Travel to Third World countries can be jarring.

You might witness poverty and injustice; you might see cultural problems, and wonder about your own effects as a tourist.

If your kids are old enough to be troubled, be prepared to give empathy, and whatever insights you can. Once you're home, it's a fine idea to join an international foster parents' plan.

Finally: just accept that some hassle will befall you on a day when it's really, really hot; and that you'll pay more for things than locals do. Then be happy when things DO go right.

South East Asia Travel Tips – Preparation and Travel Tips for backpakcers

South East Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India and north of Australia. South East Asia are where most backpackers visit and keeps coming back. There’s a lot of beautiful place to see, cheapest compare others places and fairly safe. If you have decided these South East Asia to visit and need more info then you’re have to read this South East Asia travel tips.

South East Asia Travel Tips- Preparation and research your traveling

Preparation and research is good ideas before traveling to South East Asia. First, look at the type of travel you’ve selected. You travel luggage specifications could be markedly different when you plan in which to stay 5 star hotels, for example, along with transportation between them, instead of trekking in remote areas.

Second, do your research carefully into the likely weather and climatic conditions, facilities and services available or accessible in the area, the character of the country and terrain over which you’ll be traveling and also the native culture. All of them could have a bearing on your travel luggage requirements.

Finally, remember the point that there’s always a compromise to be make between packaging each and every item that might come in hardly and having a limit on what could be carried by you on the airplane.

South East Asia Travel Tips - Climate and Weather

When traveling to a location where hot, sunny weather is likely, sunlight cream, sunlight glasses and suitable headgear could be necessary as well as the appropriate light clothes. When the temps are likely to decrease in the evening, warmer clothes may also be required and gloves and perhaps hat.

Wet weather protective clothes will almost be definitely needed.

Consider shoes or boots carefully; comfort and ease in this place is vital. Durable walking shoes and thick socks could be essential for trekking in the hillsides, but you’ll also require soothing lighter while off the trails. Likewise, sandals are usually well suited for the beach but some thing heavier may also be required. Allow for your feet getting too very hot, too cold, and sometimes wet (don’t forget to pack a couple of slippers, even though most are typically provided by hotels).

South East Asia Travel Tips - Drink and Food

It’s inadvisable to drink local tap water and, if you’re traveling in a location where bottled water is unlikely to be easy to find, consider having a water filtering in hand. Make sure to drink lots of non-alcoholic liquids, stay on bottled water and prevent using ice in the beverages in most part ofSouth East Asia area. When there is absolutely no bottled water, boiled water is acceptable. In Bangkok, Jakarta, Hanoi and HCMC, ice is general fine.

Vegetables needs to be thoroughly washed and ideally cooked properly. All meats and fish needs to be well cooked. To be secure, peel your own fresh fruit. Yogurt is normally great if refrigerated but keep away from fresh milk and be wary of many other non-sealed dairy food, specially home-made ice cream. If you’re not sure, avoid it all.

South East Asia Travel Tips - Medical Care when Traveling

To travel to South East Asia region, the first recommendation is to buy your self a medical health insurance which scheme offers insurance coverage outside your current country, few pay for medical evacuation too. According to the medical condition and your area, the medical evacuation can certainly cost $ ,000, such an insurance can help you lots if you need medical services while traveling.

There are several big cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City provides international standard medical care in South East Asia area, however , most part of this area isn’t, getting health precautions and vaccinations are prior to your traveling plan. The following immunizations are recommended, you may seek advice from your personal doctor or the local health department to discuss which ones you may need:

• Diphtheria and tetanus: Combined vaccinations for both of these diseases are normally given in child years and will be boosted every 10 years.
• Hepatitis A: Vaccination provides immunity for approximately 10 years and involves an initial injection followed by another 6 months to 1 yr later.
• Typhoid: Vaccination takes the proper execution of an injection or maybe pills.
• Meningococcal Meningitis: This kind of vaccination is only suggested for travelers making prolonged trips to rural, north Vietnam.
• Rabies: Persons making longer travels to remote areas should think about rabies vaccination, that involves 3 injections for a period of 3 to 4 weeks.

Bring your personal medicine and prescription drugs just in case you can’t get the same kinds at local pharmacies in South East Asia area. Some of the medicines sold in small pharmacies can be copies or have out of date. Stick to trustworthy Pharmacies which are easy to find in main cities around these area.

When you require health care on your vacation in South East Asia area, medical employees outside big cities usually speak little if any English, so ensure that your travel guide is close to you when seeing a doctor. Great conversation is a factors of proper diagnosis. Local medical center and doctors expect immediate payment for health assistance. Minor sicknesses and accidental injuries can be handled in most towns and cities in these region. If you find more serious illnesses that need medical evacuation, please make contact with your tour provider in the first time. Professional tour operator has experience for unexpected emergency condition.

Air Travel's New Do's and Don't's

Travelers face tighter security and longer lines because of new airport rules in the USA and UK after a plot to blow up airliners bound for the USA was uncovered. With a busy travel weekend ahead, here's what you need to know:

Q: What can't I pack in my carry-on bag?

A: The new rules ban almost all liquids, creams and gels from being carried aboard flights. That means you should not pack sunscreen, lotion, shampoo, toothpaste, hair gel or beverages in a carry-on. Those items must be put in your checked bags. If you are in doubt about an item, pack it in a checked bag or leave it home.

Despite some rumors — and an incorrect early post on American Airlines' website Thursday — there are no new restrictions on laptops, cellphones or other electronics on any flight originating in the USA.

Q: Can I still bring medicine along if it's not in liquid form? What about bars of soap?

A: Yes, it is OK to put those in a carry-on bag.

Q: If I forget to remove liquids or gels from my bags before I get to the security checkpoint, what will happen?

A: Screeners will ask you to put them in a checked bag or give them to someone who isn't traveling. Otherwise they will be confiscated.

Q: Am I allowed to purchase toothpaste, drinks or other liquids after I get through security and then take them aboard the flight?

A: No. You are not allowed to carry aboard any liquid, no matter when or where you purchased it.

Q: Why can I put liquids and gels in a checked bag but not carry them aboard?

A: Transportation Security Administration spokeswoman Amy Von Walter said authorities are concerned that liquids could be one part of a bomb, not necessarily a fully assembled explosive. If those parts were in carry-on bags, someone could put the bomb together in flight; if they were in the cargo hold, he couldn't.

Q: Besides the ban on liquids and gels, what else will be different about security?

A: The TSA said screeners will be checking passengers more thoroughly at checkpoints, including inspecting more bags by hand. They also will be searching some passengers a second time immediately before boarding — a practice instituted shortly after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks but discontinued several years ago.

Q: Will I have to wait longer in lines?

A: Most likely. The government generally advises that you get to the airport at least two hours before your flight. But with tougher searches, authorities said, you should check with your airline. United and Continental, for example, are advising passengers to arrive three hours ahead for both domestic and international flights.

Q: Are other countries or airlines banning liquids in carry-on luggage?

A: Most likely. The government generally advises that you get to the airport at least two hours before your flight. But with tougher searches, authorities said, you should check with your airline. United and Continental, for example, are advising passengers to arrive three hours ahead for both domestic and international flights.

Q: Are other countries or airlines banning liquids in carry-on luggage?

A: Yes. Canada has banned gels and liquids from carry-on bags on all flights. The new restrictions also apply to all flights entering the USA and to flights from France to the UK, USA and Israel.

Q: If I have travel insurance, am I covered?

A: It depends. Most travel insurance policies will reimburse travelers for expenses they incur as a result of delayed or canceled flights, such as the cost of a hotel room at the airport.

"This would be the case for travelers flying in or out of Heathrow or other destinations impacted by this situation," says Travel Guard's Dan McGinnity.

Still, most travel insurance policies won't reimburse the cost of upcoming trips that travelers cancel themselves because they're skittish. For example, if you're heading to London this weekend, and the plane is going, you can't get your money back if you choose not to board.

Some travel insurance policies do reimburse travelers for trips disrupted due to a terrorist incident, but such provisions haven't been triggered in this case, since the plot was foiled before it occurred.

One advantage for insurance holders: Many policies include around-the-clock emergency travel assistance that can be accessed worldwide for help in rebooking canceled flights, rerouting trips and making or changing hotel reservations. McGinnity says Travel Guard's call volume from policyholders spiked 70% on Thursday.

Crime Preys — 5 Things that Make You an Easy Target for Criminals While on the Road

5 Things that Make You an Easy Target for Criminals

1. Fanny packs – Yes, I know what you’re thinking.  “Who still wears these things?”  And to you I say, just take a look around.  They’re still everywhere.  And usually to be found on the socks-with-sandals variety of traveler. It’s like wearing a name tag that says, “Hello, my name is Easy Prey”. So leave the fanny pack athome, and invest in a money belt that goes on the inside of your clothes. Or do what I do — get a neck pouch, put it in your front pocket, and tie it to your belt loop. Yes, you will need baggy pockets, but it has saved me twice so far — once in the walled city of Jerusalem, and once outside the Coliseum in Rome. Pickpockets tried to take it while I wasn’t looking, but were surprised to find out that I was attached to it. You should have seen their faces.
2. 
   

   1. Backpacks — Okay, not all backpacks, just the big ones. You know who you are.  And you know what they say — the bigger the pack, the smaller the…package? Well, something like that. I’ll leave that last bit up to you to fill in. My point is that huge backpacks (70L or more) make you a target. They give the message that a) I have a lot of stuff, and b) I can’t move very fast. If you must carry a massive backpack, store it at your earliest convenience and day-trip it with a small pack.  Your spine will love you for it too.
   
3. No Locks – Even the smallest, flimsiest lock is better than none at all. Securing your pack is a must. An unlocked bag is inviting crime. The temptation for a thief to slip a hand in at a train station, bus station, or where ever your bag may be out of your site is completely removed. I met a guy from Vegas once who had huge locks on his backpack — the ones that you usually use for your locker at school or the gym.  He didn’t realize until he got on the road that there were actually smaller ones designed for travel packs. But at least he did some research.

4. Not Counting Your Change – Seems like an easy one doesn’t it?  But a lot of the time we get complacent, and assume the best intentions in everyone. Once in an Egyptian market, a shady stall owner tried to give me piastres instead of pounds. (Google the difference — it can really add it).  I had been in the country for a few weeks at that point, so easily noticed the difference. When you first arrive in a country though, lots of the time we’re more concerned about putting our money away than actually counting it, and only notice any shortfall later on.
5. Gizmos — How many of you travel with laptops,smartphones, iPhones, GPS, or other electronic gadgets?  We live in a digital age, and we like to stay connected. Sometimes we forget that some of these gizmos cost more than some people make in an entire month. So obviously, they are easy targets. This is definitely one area where the motto “If you got it, flaunt it” does not apply, so try to keep these goodies under wraps whenever possible

Now I know that this is by no means an exhaustive list, so if you have any tips of your own to add, please post a comment. Hopefully this will get you started on your way though.