Jet Airways was started by Naresh Goyal, the owner of Jetair Private Limited, and the airline commenced its commercial operations in 1993, offering 24 daily flights to 12 destinations in India nation. A true success story, Jet Airways has enjoyed spectacular growth by offering services of international standards at economical rate, and is presently the dominant force in the Indian Aviation Sector, operating over 330 daily flights to 56 domestic and international destinations across the planet. Jet Airways Based out of Mumbai, it is the market leader in terms of sheer passenger volumes, offering many conveniently timed full-service flights that provide passengers with quality in-flight services and reliability. Though a full-service airline, Jet Airways often provides economical and discounted fares, especially on booking through the internet.

The Jet Airways’ vast network of destinations in India, include flights to Chennai, Port Blair, Hyderabad, Vishakhapatnam, Guwahati, Patna, Chandigarh, Raipur, Diu, New Delhi, Goa, Ahmedabad, Bhuj, Porbandar, Rajkot, Vadodara, Jammu, Leh, Srinagar, Udaipur, Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Agartala, Lucknow, Varanasi, Bagdogra, as well as flights to Bangalore, Mangalore, Cochin, Kozhikode, Thiruvanthapuram, Bhopal, Indore, Khajuraho, Aurangabad, Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, Imphal, Amritsar, Jodhpur, and Kolkata.

Jet Airways also has a growing network of international destinations, such as Bangkok, Kathmandu, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, London Heathrow, Colombo, Brussels & New York. The airline is fast becoming a competitor with international airlines, offering economical and frequent flights to India, as well as the top destinations across the world.

Earlier known as Royal Airways, Spicejet Airlines began its services in May 2005, and has fast become one of the best low-cost carriers in India, and has even been voted as the ‘Best Low-Cost Airline’ in South Asia and Central Asia by Skytrax. Spicejet Airlines dramatically entered the aviation scene offering Rs. 99 fares for the first 9000 seats available, in the first 99 days. It then followed this up with Rs 999 promotional fare for select sectors across the nation. With such clear vision and a variety marketing strategies, Spicejet Airlines is one of the most popular low-cost carriers in the trade, and offers over 100 flights to 18 destinations in India. It has also attracted global attention, with foreign investors keenly looking on.

Presently, Spicejet Airlines has a vast network of low cost flights across the country, serving the following destinations across India: Ahmedabad, Bagdogra, Bangalore, Chennai, Coimbatore, Delhi, Goa, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jammu, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, Srinagar, Varanasi, and Visakhapatnam.

I want to have more friends worldwide and so this article is that only promoting the beauty of the Philippines but also to have friends in any nations: I prefer people who are friendly from Asia, America, Australia, and  Europe.  Later, after you read this writing you will perhaps open your mind to visit Philippines and later put business in here.

In visiting Philippines, there are many things to be consider, the Hotel rates and location, actually, there are some expensive Hotels in the Philippines but a lot also are not so expensive and it is good to stay in also. Second, the foods, if the food is good?, many Hotels have different styles in cooking, there are American, Asian, and the Europe style and there are also a combination of Asian and European; American and Asian; Asian and Europe. It depends of your choice. Third, Your Security, your security here is if you have a friends here and so he/she will guide you all the way. From the airport to the Hotel, and also visiting Malls and restaurants and some interesting places in the Philippines. Some beautiful and exciting places in the Philippines such as Beaches and Resort like the white sand Borakay, The Chocolate Hills, Banauwe Rice Terraces, under ground river in Palawan and many resorts not far from Manila. For your convinience I am willing to tour guide you ang give you guidance while you are here. I am not a Tour guide nor working related with this but I am doing this to have more friends. I am honest and understanding and friendly. So, if you want to have friends in the Philippines just email my email address at herbertubaldo@yahoo.com.ph.

If you find that Philippines is good for any business, I am willing also to help and assist you so that you can put business in the Philippines legally.    

   

Electronic books, also called ebooks, are quickly taking off. Special devices dedicated to reading these ebooks, called ebook readers, have contributed to this newfound popularity with their powerful feature sets. At the forefront of this ebook revolution is Amazon’s Kindle 2. The second-generation of Amazon’s game-changing gadget, the Kindle 2 has a variety of features that people are getting excited about.

Ever stare at your computer screen and get a headache? So did people who used to read ebooks…but Amazon’s Kindle 2 has changed all that. The Kindle 2 uses a new “e-ink” technology that doesn’t have any glare, so you can read it in direct sunlight or in a dim room without hurting your eyes. The Kindle 2 also features crisp, clear images on a large display that rivals some print in paper books! Plus, with Kindle 2 you can even adjust the font size to your liking.

Another one of the advantages of ebooks is the ability to look up words on the spot. Amazon’s Kindle 2 is a walking dictionary, letting you look things up on the web as you read. The Kindle 2 is completely wireless and connects you to 3G networks automatically, which means you can look things up from anywhere. No monthly plan is required; you can read and shop right out of the box.

Online shopping is another advantage that ebooks have over the library. You can download new titles to your electronic reader without ever going to a book store. Amazon’s Kindle 2 is the leader in this department, as it gives you access to all the books in Amazon.com, the largest digital library on the planet. Plus the Kindle 2 boasts the ability to store up to 1,500 books. That’s an entire library in the palm of your hand! No more need to take a stack of books on those long business trips, just one little device.

And that is where Amazon’s Kindle 2 really shines - it’s as thin as a magazine at 1/3 inch thick, and weighs less than a paperback book at 10.2 ounces. It’s slim and discreet profile let you carry it anywhere, and you can charge it from your computer via a USB cord. Plus the Kindle 2 also offers a text-to-speech feature that can read your newspapers and books out loud to you, if you so choose.

5 Things CNN Money Loves About The Kindle 2

It’s really good at what it’s designed for: Reading books that are mostly text. Its e-ink screen technology makes reading a book almost as effortless as reading a book that’s printed on paper. The slimmer new Kindle 2 design makes it easier to hold, carry, and turn pages. And the long battery life means you don’t have to worry about getting lost in a text without a charging cable.

It’s discreet! No one will ever know that you’re reading The Da Vinci Code, The Tipping Point, Infinite Jest, DOS For Dummies, or anything by Danielle Steele.

Kindle-optimized Web sites are on the way. Instapaper, which lets you save magazine articles, news stories, and blog posts to “read later” is one of our favorite Web sites and iPhone apps. Now founder Marco Arment is working on a version that’s tuned to the Kindle’s browser.

It’s super for traveling, with a few caveats. When I spent three months backpacking in Europe several summers ago, I brought too many books: A few thick editions of Lonely Planet and Let’s Go, a Rick Steves, novels for 8-hour train rides, Eurail timetable, and more. A Kindle 2 would swallow all of those into a much smaller, lighter package, plus it would be searchable. But: The Sprint (S) wireless features will not work outside the U.S., so make sure you get everything before you get on the plane. And while black-and-white maps are passable on the Kindle, color illustrations — e.g., subway maps — are often useless.

New books are cheaper on the Kindle than on paper. Makes up for the $360 you have to drop to get a Kindle in the first place. Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers, for instance, costs $17 in hardcover at Amazon, but is $10 for the Kindle. The Host is $5 cheaper on the Kindle, too.

With all of these options, it’s clear to see why Amazon’s Kindle 2 is leading the way in the world of ebooks. Just like Apple’s ipod changed the way we interact with music, the Kindle 2 is revolutionizing the book world, offering easy-to-use hand-held personal digital libraries. Modern technology has finally caught up the printing press.

White Skin And Long Dark Brown Hair

Growing up in the Philippines, I was always exposed to this idea of colonial mentality. See, we were colonized by Spain, the US, and other countries before we achieved our own independence. So basically, being “white” was to be cool. Or rich. Or important. Or what everyone else wanted to be.

Everyone ogled when they saw a white guy on the street. People thought you were somebody important if they saw you as friends or hanging out with one. And if you’re actually ‘half’ or are related to somebody from another country, well then, you’re above everyone else.

I have friends from around the world. I’ve met them through different parts and stages of my life and we look as different from each other as a Benetton ad. If there’s really one thing I’ve learned from all the people who have become part of my life, but don’t necessarily live next door to me, is that we are all the same. We are all made of the same elements. Sure each culture is different, but if you open up yourself and your eyes and your home, heck even you heart, you see that the person who speaks another language completely different from your own can be your own kindred spirit. Every person, regardless of skin color or hair shade, has dreams, and frustrations, and drama with their boyfriends or girlfriends, and secrets. Everyone has a story to share.

I always get the, “Oh Elaine you have so much white friends” comment - sometimes as a way of teasing, sometimes as a form of flattery, and even sometimes as a form of jealousy. What I feel most of the time though, is misunderstood.

I choose my friends, not by their skin color or how exotic their accent is from mine, but by how they treat me, how they treat other people, by how we get along, by their values and the way they see life. I don’t care if you look like a model that came out of the Ralph Lauren runway or forgot what a razor is after you’ve backpacked around the Philippine Islands or Europe. I don’t even care if you can write a perfect paragraph in English or can only speak straight Tagalog.

I know that some people just want to have a foreigner friend. Or a foreigner boyfriend. Okay, I get it. It seems cool. But at the end of the day, you see that a person isn’t made of what they look like but by who they are. It’s about sharing a joke or a language only you two can understand. It’s knowing that you’re way past the physical stuff and you know that the things you see on the outside really don’t say much about what’s in your heart.

The funniest thing is that the people I am closest to are the ones that live furthest away from me. Thank God for the internet for making they feel closer. But being misunderstood in a society where people think that you’re different just because you mingle with people from another country can get frustrating. It’s like sometimes, I myself am treated like a foreigner. That people can’t relate to me anymore. Truth is, I’m just like anyone else.

I am Elaine. I am a Filipina. I have tan skin and long dark brown hair. I know if you like me only because you think that combination looks exotic. I can detect bullshit. I am a mix of where I grew up and all the other new places I now call home. I have left myself and given bits of my heart to people I may never see again and I have brought them along with me. I know when you love for who I am. And I know when I love you too, not for what you look like, but for who you are.

WHAT I’M REALLY TRYING TO SAY IS, I hope people can get past the whole white skin thing or the traces of colonial mentality in the way they see other people. That French guy sitting next to you likes burger king as much as you do. That Australian wears his slippers more often than you do yours. That South African walking on the street?? He can eat as much balot, probably more, as you can in one sitting.

See past the skin and be proud of who you are.

Because love and friendship, baby, know no boundaries. ?

- Elaine Abonal

A Malaysian holiday tops the list of travelers and why not when the country that is so beautiful, modern, diverse, and culturally rich. Moreover, there is in line number of attractions and activities that a traveler can enjoy during his trip to this part of land. It not only caters to the shopper buffs but the historical lovers, cultural enthusiast and nature lovers also find Malaysia a fantastic destination. a friendly country that is modern as one expects and yet full of natural beauty and rich traditions that captivate you. On a Malaysian tour, enhance the pleasure of your holiday by indulging is some activity that is so truly Malaysian. Go for diving trips in the tropical waters in some of the best diving sites or undertake a caving tour in the world’s largest cave chamber in Sarawakas. This is just some of them and the list can go on. Some of the activities are worth mentioning:

Trekking

Malaysia’s famous rainforests provide opportunities to get in touch with the nature. Trekking along the well-marked trails is the best way of getting to know the rainforests and indeed a rewarding experience. Exploring the deep forests, rolling hills, steep slopes on foot is an amazing experience. Country’s lowlands majorly comprise of dipterocap forests and walking through the forests does not require much but the spirit for adventure keeps you going. The rainforests are home to number of animals and a real treat for animal lovers.

Bird Watching

Malaysia is considered an ideal place for bird watching as country’s pristine forests are home to more than 600 species of birds. The rich birdlife here attracts visitors both the domestic and foreign. The lowland forests of Malaysia have untouched, undisturbed forests that have rare an exquisite birds. Peninsular Malaysia has excellent bird watching sites, which are within easy reach from Kuala Lumpur. The most popular and favorite mountain bird watching sites are at Fraser Hills in Pahang, Bukit Larut in Taiping, and Cameron Highlands in Pahang and Kinabalu Park in Sabah. The bird watching sites offers good hotels in Malaysia for accommodation, besides other facilities.

National Parks

Malaysia’s natural wealth is one of the biggest draw for the nature lovers here. Anyone who appreciates the beauty of nature will find his way to Malaysia. The region’s primal forests, which range from the mangrove to mountain top oak, are very rare that today’s world only has heard about. A walk will take you to hundred of miles of green cover, with a wealth of plants and animals, that no other place can equal it.

Rock Climbing

Malaysia’s geographical surface is such that the expedition of rock climbing can be easily undertaken. The mountainous region of the Peninsular Malaysia is made up of granite boulders and monoliths. While the Sarawak region contains the limestone crags and Sandstone Mountains, and the Sabah, area is alpine granite. Sabah region hosts the South East Asia’s highest mountain, while the Sarawak Chamber in Mulu Caves is the world’s largest cave chamber. The routes for climbing are mostly conventional and the peaks are at 4,000m above sea level, perfect for starting on an expedition. Climbing can be carried out all through the year with all the facilities available right from hotels Malaysia to the climbing kits.

Caving

Malaysia has some of the most stunning caves and thus sees thousands of visitors heading to Sabah and Sarawak regions in the country, home to the biggest cave chamber in the world. The caves are biologically rich and inhabit numerous unique creatures such as spiders like the whip and trapdoor spiders, centipedes, cave crickets and blind catfish. The Gunung Mulu National Park in Sarawak has number of wonderful caves, amongst them is the largest natural cave chamber in the world. Caving has attracted number of tourists here that the scientists have suggested of putting a control on tourism to save the effect on the caves fauna and formations.

Off road driving

Off road driving is fat catching up with the sports enthusiasts who want to take the thrill of driving in the rugged mountainous terrain. Malaysia offers a wide range of opportunities for off road driving, right from beginners, intermediate to highly skilled drivers. The best time is the dry seasons, which falls between March and October but for that extra thrill and challenges, even the monsoon months can be tried between November and February. Some of the best off road driving in Peninsular Malaysia can be found in the interiors, and Gua Musang in Kelantan is a popular site.

For whatever reason you are planning to visit Malaysia, the fine range of accommodations would be a complete delight. The Malaysia hotels range comprises of world-class resorts, five star hotels, and budget hotels to even youth hostels. Hotels in Malaysia suit the needs of luxury travelers, business guests, and romantic getaways to backpackers.

It’s a strong fascinating land of Thais that attracts more tourists when compared to any other country in South East Asia. Bangkok is the Capital of Thailand, which receives more tourists than any other city in Thailand. Bangkok is known mostly for charming scenic nature, historical architects amalgamated with modern trends and last but not

the least; fabulous people who love to welcome and take care of tourists!!

 

Whenever a tourist leaves his country to travel to experience new places; the most important thing, which keeps scrolling in his mind, is “Where to stay?” But nowadays, it’s very easy. Just Google the Internet for best term and you will find tons of results floating there. Plus, you can go to the hotel’s website and book online. Most of the hotels have online reservation systems integrated in there websites. So, you can book your tour in advance. Few of them showcase their luxurious rooms, business centers to give you a clean look of the hotel which can benefit you to choose the right one for your budget.

 

The first thing to search for is a Luxury hotel offering Spa. You can easily find the best Spa offering hotel by searching in Google. The one I used during my last visit to Bangkok was Siam Bayshore Resort and Spa. They offered great services at reasonable budgets. I can really recommend them here. Your body would relax after taking the body treatments. You can either take body treatment or a spa treatment or a cosmetic treatment. This is just small era of treatment written here.  You can explore it in full and experience the feel by visiting Bangkok and taking the real adventure!

 

Bangkok is known for its people who whole-heartedly welcome tourists!! A visitor would not find any difficulty in finding the right luxurious hotel throughout Thailand. If you are backpacker, a hotel at Kaosan road would be the best accommodation. If you love shopping, a hotel at Sky train would be great. But, if you don’t like getting around

the city and want good atmosphere, then a hotel near Chao Phraya River would do it.

 

If you plan to stay in a hotel near Kaosan road, than you even don’t require booking in advance. You can always find a vacant Guesthouse nearby to Kaosan road. If you plan to get chilled and go for shopping throughout the day, then Siam City Hotel, Bangkok would be great place to check in!! It’s near to Sky train Phayathai Station plus its closeness to most of the shopping malls makes it a great place to check in.

 

If you are little lazy and never go out for shopping, then a hotel near to Chao Phraya River would be excellent for the cool stay. You will get a totally different but unique experience. In spite of the fact that the hotels near to Chao Phraya river are little expensive, but you will never forget this stay and it’s really more than what you

invest!! Plus, don’t forget to book a river cruise dinner at your hotel. You will love the charming beauty of the river at night. 

 

This is just the small era of Bangkok, its natural beauty and fascinating beaches. You can experience more than what is written here once you visit Bangkok.

Hammock Legends

Indoors or out, a hammock can make a great addition to any home. Is there anybody on this planet who can’t imagine themselves laying in a comfortable hammock on a tropical island somewhere? Sipping a ‘Blue Hawaiian’, watching the beautiful people go by? Many people see a hammock as their ‘luxury. Possibly one of their most ‘treasured’ pieces of furniture in the entire house, or garden.

But where did they come from? The origins of the hammock are somewhat confused.  Some say they were invented by the famous Greek, Alcibiades. A great statesmen who was a student of the legendary philosopher Socrates. Dated as far back as 450BC. Others believe hammocks are native to South America, in the Amazon basin. Indeed, they are widely used by the natives of this region, even today. Christopher Columbus first brought the Hammock to Europe from the Bahamas.

Fabric Choices

Things have changed, as you can imagine, from the early days. Originally, a hammock was made from the bark of a ‘Hamack Tree’, hence the name! Later, the Sisal plant was used, primarily because it was much more available. Today, a hammock can be made from several fabrics. However, cotton tends to be favoured for comfort, polyester for it’s strength and longevity. There are disadvantages and advantages with any material. For what purpose you intend to use your hammock for will ultimately dictate which material is most appropriate.

Popular and Practical

Fabric and rope hammocks are very popular and extremely practical for most people‘s needs. Fabric hammocks tend to be more comfortable, on the whole, that rope, and cotton is thought to be the most comfortable option for either. Although these days, a good quality polyester rope is certainly giving cotton a run for it’s money. Apart from being stronger, polyester is not susceptible to mould and mildew, as cotton is. Cotton colours are more natural looking than the brighter polyester hammocks. However, cotton soon fades, not able to withstand direct sunlight or poor weather conditions. Rope hammocks are good for inside or out, but a polyester hammock will last longer outside.



Approved by the Military

Canvas hammocks have been used by the Navy since the beginning of the seventeenth century. Renowned for being tough, at sea they were often used on the gun decks. But hammocks were used anywhere permanent bunks were not a viable option. They are still used by the Navy today, as well as by many other people, for a variety of situations. Even the commander and pilot of the Apollo program were equipped with them! Traditional style canvas hammocks wrap around the body like a cocoon. Less chance of falling out while you slumber! A canvas hammock might be made from hemp, cotton or polyester. Important to know beforehand, if you want to choose the right hammock that is!

Camping and Portable Hammocks

Today, a whole array of purpose made hammocks are available. Lightweight, portable hammocks are great to throw in your bag when you’re heading for the beach. A backpacking hammock is also lightweight, with the added benefit of mosquito netting. Also good for day trips. Camping hammocks are all these things and more! A camping hammock actually replaces the need for a tent. Despite what you might think, be assured, they do work really well.

Due to its relatively carefree society, those who visit Amsterdam are generally much younger than the average tourist. However, you will still find your fair share of tourists who are young at heart and want to reinvent their youth.

If you want to stay on the youthful side of life then you should consider staying in some of Amsterdam’s low budget accommodation. This would mostly include backpacker lodges. These are the places that you will meet the most interesting people, and people from all walks of life. If you share a room with these people you will find out things that you never even knew existed!

If, however, you do not want to rough it too much, then remember that Amsterdam is a First World City that comes with all the top class infrastructure and amenities and luckily for you this includes top class hotels. You should be able to find yourself a hotel that suits both your budget and your needs. This all depends on what you are looking for exactly.

Amsterdam is quite spread out in terms of blending the old with the new so wherever you stay you will most likely have a great mix of culture and new Amsterdam youth culture.

As far as the Amsterdam nightlife goes, the city is incredible. There is a buzz throughout the day that always provides you with amazing energy but when the lights of the city come on, then you will really know that you are in Amsterdam.

Amsterdam has some of the most original and diverse nightclubs in the world. Being a central point in Europe, it has to cater for so many different wants, needs and tastes. However, there is always an undertone of unique Dutch flavour in everything that you experience.

If you want to really feel invigorated again, then the best thing for you to do is to dance. There are many great nightclubs in the city, but two in particular are something really special. The one place you have to experience is called Melkweg. This club has one of the widest varieties of dance music and specialist nights in the world. No two nights are ever the same. The other club that you should really make a point of visiting is De Arena. This club is a part of the Arena Hotel and is situated inside an old chapel. The club ha two separate dance floors and is also renowned for its classy parties and great variety.

Bookings in peak season are advisable, so book early to avoid the rush.

Let me lay it on the line. You know that pretty young thing at the travel agency trying to get you to book a nice cruise for you and your sweetie? Well she has only one job. That job is to sell you a vacation and she will say whatever it takes to get you to sign on the dotted line.

Yeah, I know how it works. While I have never been in the vacation industry I have been in sales and have seen the way most salespeople work. If you think they are your friends you are mistaken.

With the explosion in demand for cruises, travel agents are booking passengers at rates that were unheard of even 10 years ago and the cruise lines want you on their boats. It’s how they make money. But that doesn’t mean that every cruise is sold out and booked solid either. That’s why you get all those nice “last minute” deals advertised and why they push so hard.

My wife and I are now veteran cruisers and in my honest opinion nothing beats a good cruise when it comes to price and what you get in return. Well, maybe not quite nothing … the week in Aruba on our honeymoon was at least close. But when we started cruising we really weren’t sure if we would like it. I remember that in 2003 we booked a short 5 day trip and the first words out of the travel agent’s mouth when discussing the price was that the quality of the cabin didn’t matter much and that we could save money by downgrading our room.

The theory was that because you don’t spend much time in your room because of all the neat stuff on board and in port who really cared what the cabin looked like. Right? Of course she was promoting this line of reasoning because at the time price really was an issue for us. And you know what? It sounded like really good reasoning because of all the great stuff that was going on around the boat what seemed like all the time.

Of course I still needed a view so we did wind up booking an outside cabin with a full window but not before seriously considering an interior cabin on a lower deck to save a few bucks. So we waited for the date of our first cruise, over packed like all first time cruisers do, and arrived at our ship. That is when we got some really great news which all cruisers love to hear. That news comes in just one word; “upgraded”!

Because we had booked our cruise as our anniversary, and because Carnival apparently had a demand for the level of cabin that we booked, they bumped us up to the Veranda deck into a balcony room with an obstructed view that they apparently couldn’t sell.

When we got to the room we immediately found it much more enjoyable, perhaps just from the excitement of being given this nice little bonus. And even though there was a dingy outside a third of our small balcony we were extremely happy. But for my own piece of mind I wanted to compare the cabin we wound up in with the cabin we had booked and even the interior one we had briefly considered. I wanted to know if we were really “upgraded” or not.

So over the next couple hours I explored a little since there really wasn’t much to do while sill anchored at the docks waiting for the ship to depart. I found the room next to the room that we had originally booked open, as the occupants were moving in, and took a quick peek. It was smaller and more cramped, but not bad. And then I went down to the lower deck where we had thought about getting the interior cabin.

There I found one of those rooms open and was able to take a glance at the dark room lit by light bulbs without a hint of natural light. I also noticed how much smaller it was than the balcony room we now had and remember thinking about how I would go bonkers in such a space if I had to spend any amount of time in there at all even if it was just to sleep. We certainly wouldn’t have thought of ourselves as chattel in such a room but it would have been darn close to that feeling especially when I realized on the day of the first port of call that everyone was lined up in the hallway on that deck (right in front of the rooms) waiting for their turn at the gangway.

I remembered what the travel agent had said to me; I wouldn’t be spending much time in my cabin right? Let me tell you, good thing we didn’t book that interior cabin! One thing I learned on my first cruise was that you probably will spend more time in your room than just sleeping and changing clothes.

Yeah, sitting by the pool was nice. Sure, going to the sports bar and watching my Steelers on the satellite with about 50 other people was great. And yeah, even just strolling around the ship learning where everything was and taking in the new experience was fine and dandy. But one thing I liked was being able to retire to my cabin and relax without anyone else around. I admit I like my “me time”. After all, there are only so many 250 pound women in bikinis that one can stand to look at on deck.

The balcony certainly helped with that and I loved sitting outside as the ship was between ports in the Caribbean sun. Yeah, I liked it even if the balcony was partially blocked by that darn dingy.

Over the course of the cruise, much of which was spent at the Blackjack table, I generally found that when I talked to other people on the ship that those who were complaining the most were those on the lower decks, in the smaller cabins and that mostly they complained about the size of their accommodations. Hey, a standard balcony room isn’t luxurious in terms of size but at least I was happy unlike many others in the bowels of the ship and to this day I am convinced that the majority of those hanging around the pool day after day were people dissatisfied with their accommodations.

Apparently size does matter and so does quality. Because when I would tell people that I could just go out on my balcony, small as it was, the response was almost a universal wish for that themselves.

Yeah, you’re going to pay more for the nicer cabin. And maybe if you are the type of person that envisions yourself backpacking around Europe and roughing it, you might like the cramped accommodations some cheaper cabins afford you. But for me and my wife there has been no turning back. Each year when we go on cruise it is a room with a view and a balcony for us or nothing because quality does matter. And since I like to work while on cruise I like a little privacy when I need to fire up the old laptop.

But it is important to remember in closing that every ship is different. Older and smaller ships tend to be more cramped. Newer ships tend to have better overall accommodations on all levels. So do a little research. Most cruise lines have plenty of pictures of what each level of cabin looks like.

And whatever you do, do not buy into that old line that the quality of the cabin doesn’t matter because you won’t be spending much time there. You’ll probably spend more time there than you realize. So get something you are sure you can live with for as many days you are planning on being at sea.

And whatever happens, I don’t want to hear you grumbling about how you don’t like that inexpensive cabin in the bowels of the ship the travel agent conned you into booking to save a few bucks.

Michael Cottam, one of the founders of TheBigDay, offers advice on how to go about choosing where to go on your honeymoon.

So you’re engaged…congratulations! One of the most fun parts about getting married is planning that honeymoon trip of a lifetime. And if you haven’t even narrowed it down to a country, much less an island or a resort, don’t worry-many (if not most!) honeymoon couples are in the same boat.

Some couples start by leafing through travel or bridal magazines and looking for pictures that are appealing and romantic-you can do this, but you’re more likely to settle on the best-MARKETED destination rather than the best destination for your wants, needs, and style.

The following are questions you should ask yourself-it’ll help you figure out what your options are, and help you ask better questions of your travel agent…which will help you plan that perfect honeymoon.

When are you going?

Every destination has its high and low seasons-and this is typically a combination of weather and the times of the year that their tourists typically take vacations. Some destinations, such as Hawaii, have very little variance in their weather year-round; others, like the Caribbean have a definite hurricane season. Yet it’s important to know that the Caribbean is a very big place-and different parts have different hurricane seasons, and some parts of the western Caribbean really aren’t hurricane prone at all. Other destinations–such as Central America and Southeast Asia-have rainy or monsoon seasons. You really need to know the specific destination in order to have a feel for whether or not their “green” season is too “green” (rainy!) for you.

Also, ask yourself if you’re willing to delay the start of your honeymoon a couple of weeks or months. Summer months are very popular for weddings, as it tends to be easier for family and friends to get to the wedding; plus, if you’re having an outdoor wedding, the odds of good weather are more in your favor. However, this also tends to be the expensive (and sometimes more crowded) season for many honeymoon destinations. Giving yourself a month off after the wedding before leaving on your honeymoon can give you time to relax and wind down from the wedding, write your thank-you notes, and take advantage of the lower prices of what’s known as the “shoulder season” (between high and low season).

Travel time/vacation time

How much time off work are you going to take? And how much of it are you willing to spend on an airplane?

If you’re going on an African safari, you’re going to consume about a day and a half traveling each way from the U.S. This is fine if you’re going to be there a couple of weeks, but if those days are coming off your total of 7 days on vacation, you might consider someplace closer. And distance isn’t the only factor: how many stopovers is it going to take to get where you’re going? If you’ve got to land on a main island, then wait around for 4 to 6 hours for the “island hopper” flight to take you out to your remote private island retreat, that’s going to consume your vacation time too.

A great option, if it’s available, is a red-eye flight, where you sleep on the plane and wake up at your destination, saving a day of vacation time.

Language

This is less of a problem than you might think. Unless you’re backpacking around some exotic country, you’re going to find people in restaurants, hotels, and the activity vendors all speak English. One bit of advice: try to learn a few words and phrases in the local language, as you’ll find you’re treated differently if you begin conversations with “hello” in their language, and show you’re willing to make the effort to get along in their country.

Cost

The big question! First, some statistics: the average U.S. couple spends about $3700 for their honeymoon package…and this doesn’t included expenditures once they’re at their destination. When considering a resort that’s NOT all-inclusive, take some time to research the area and find out what meals cost, what a snorkel trip costs, what taxis cost, etc. Tourist bureau sites are a good place to start.

Costs of excursions and meals can easily add up to much more than your airfare and hotel, and you need to be realistic and prepared for this. Consider staying at multiple hotels on your honeymoon-perhaps one or two nights at someplace really nice to start, then a more moderate property with perhaps less of a view for the remainder.

People, people, people

There are a number of important considerations here. First off, who else is going to be at your resort? Are most of the guests at the resort in your age group? Are they young and adventurous, or older and mostly interested in golf? Does the resort market to families-are you going to find a ton of kids splashing around in the pool when you’re trying to have a romantic, relaxing time? Is the bar going to be lively, with your kind of music? Are you going to feel right at home, or a bit out of place?

Next, let’s talk about density: do you prefer to be in the middle of the action, with lots of other happy honeymooners all around, or quieter and more secluded? Think about whether you want to be in a hotel with 400 rooms, or a resort with 40 private villas…the experience will be very different. And do you want to be waited on hand and foot, or left alone to explore by yourselves? Do you want to shop, maybe pick up souvenirs or local style clothes, or maybe some artwork? Maybe you want a mix: in Hawaii, popular combinations would include a few nights in the heart of Waikiki combined with a few nights on the North Shore…on Maui, perhaps a split between the Lahaina/Kaanapali area and the secluded Hana coast.

Finally, how much do you want to learn about the locals, their language, food, and culture? Generally, at the all-inclusive resorts, you’ll find yourselves with other tourists, separated from the local style. If you want to immerse yourselves in the local environment, perhaps consider a smaller hotel, farther from the main tourist areas.

History and culture

Do you enjoy visiting ancient ruins…centuries-old cathedrals…seeing native villages? The beauty of the art, architecture, and history of Greece, Italy, Scotland and Ireland, or Mayan civilizations can make for a fabulous honeymoon experience.

Europe is an obvious destination, but think also about the Mayans and Aztecs in Latin America…Buddhist temples in Bali and Thailand… Angkor Wat in Cambodia…Buddhist and Hindu temples in India. China is becoming a much more popular destination as well: consider visiting the Great Wall and seeing the Terracotta Warriors.

Accommodations

How sensitive are you to humidity and temperature? This can determine not only the destination, but also the choice of resort, as not all A/C systems are created equal. How close do you want to be to nature? I’ve stayed at fabulous safari lodges in Africa that didn’t even have complete walls…just mosquito nets to protect you at night. For some, this is a dream come true-for others it might be a nightmare.

How important is your living space in your hotel room? Do you feel claustrophobic easily? Do you like to lounge around in the morning, have breakfast in bed, or do you like to get up and out there exploring the island? Is a spa on-property important to you? Is a view of the ocean from your room important to you…enough to justify the higher price?

Also think about how you typically spend your day on vacation. If you go back and forth from the room to the beach, the pool, the restaurant, you might want a place with ground-level villas rather than have to get on and off elevators all the time. If you’re going to spend most of your days out exploring the island, this might not matter so much.

Nightlife

Are you going to want to go out dancing/clubbing? Or maybe see some native dances or performances? If you’re going to Hawaii, and you ARE looking for nightlife, you’ll probably want to think about Oahu or maybe Maui.

For Mexico, you should be thinking about Cancun or Cabo, rather than some of the more isolated resort areas. If you’re considering the Caribbean, the answer to this question might affect the island or region you choose as well. Music: what do you want to hear on your honeymoon? Mariachi bands, steel drums, reggae, or Hawaiian hula…what appeals to you?

Food!

How adventurous of an eater are you? How about your fiancé? Do you like to try the local food, try many different restaurants? Often resorts will have very good American and European menus, but for authentic local cuisine you’ll have to venture outside the resort.

All-inclusives and cruises often make fabulous food very affordable; if you’re not at an all-inclusive resort, the on-property restaurants are often pretty pricey compared to outside restaurants, and tend to be less authentic with respect to local/native cuisine. If your chosen resort is in or near a reasonably large town or tourist area, you may have lots of choice for dinner; if you’re secluded and isolated, it’s possible that you have no choice but to dine at the resort (and pay their prices, if it’s not included!).

In areas like Fiji and Tahiti, you’ll often find that while the resort isn’t officially all-inclusive, they do have a “meal plan” which covers food and sometimes drinks. Sometimes these plans cover just breakfast and dinner, which leaves you the option of trying the local cuisine and eating relatively inexpensively for lunch.

Adventure!

How about a safari in Kenya or Botswana? Or hiking in the Andes…maybe a trip to Macchu Pichu? Or a week on a rented sailboat in the Caribbean? How about touring Australia on a Harley? Maybe trek through the jungles of Costa Rica, observing monkeys and exotic birds? If these appeal to you, first thing you need to do is make sure they also appeal to your spouse! These kinds of trips create memories of a lifetime, and can be very affordable as well. Often, couples will want to combine an “adventure” trip with a few days relaxing at a beach resort-these kinds of combination packages can be put together for you by a knowledgeable travel agent, and give you the best of both worlds.

Watersports

Do you and your fiancé scuba dive (or do you want to learn)? You’ll find that pretty much every tropical destination has diving and snorkeling available. Some will have scuba courses offered by the resorts, while other resorts will have partnered with local dive companies. If you love to snorkel, make sure your travel agent knows, so they can recommend resorts where the wave conditions tend to be good and there are good snorkeling reefs nearby so that there’s something besides just sand to look at. In general, a great surfing beach won’t be a great snorkeling beach!

Are you interested in going deep-sea fishing? It’s important to know what the fishing is like where you’re going. For instance, while you can take a guided fishing trip from any one of the Hawaiian islands, your chances of actually doing some CATCHING as well as fishing are substantially better on the Big Island!

Additionally, it’s important to talk to your travel agent about what kinds of watersports you want to enjoy. If you’re interested in jetskiing and parasailing, you’ll want to be in one place; if you want to kayak with the turtles, snorkel around the reef, you’ll want to be elsewhere. It’s also useful to know how far it is from your hotel to the best spots for your activities-you won’t want to spend two hours a day roundtripping from your hotel to your activities.

The destinations

Here’s a quick look at some of the more popular destinations, and what they’re known for.

Fiji- great scuba and snorkeling, very friendly people, mostly villa-style beach bungalow accommodations in widely-separated resorts. Moderately expensive to very expensive. About 9 hours flying time from Los Angeles.

Hawaii- beautiful weather all year round, close to mainland U.S., amazing array of watersports and adventure activities. Not as much of a cultural transition for mainland Americans as many other destinations. Most hotels have 200-400 rooms; hotel density along beaches can be high. Excellent choice for a destination wedding, as prices are very reasonable for high quality and service. Inexpensive to moderately expensive.

Tahiti- great scuba and snorkeling, famous for overwater bungalows and phenomenal views. Resorts tend to be fairly far apart; very secluded and private. Expensive to very expensive; food, drinks, and activities can be very expensive as well. About 8 hours flying time from Los Angeles.

Mexico- Cancun/Cozumel nearly fully recovered from the past summer’s hurricanes, and much rebuilding has resulted in many upgraded resorts. High density of resorts on beaches in places like Cancun and Cabo. Great diving, watersports; some areas close to Mayan ruins. Recently, all-inclusive resorts have become common, and there are some terrific bargains to be had, especially at the moderate to more expensive resorts. A new trend we’re seeing is combining the traditional beach vacation with a few days inland at one of Mexico’s colonial cities, exploring the history and culture of old Mexico. Easy access from the U.S. Inexpensive to moderately expensive.

Caribbean- known for prevalence of all-inclusive resorts, especially in Jamaica. Huge range of cultures, styles, food, music. Great watersports and scenery, and not too long in the air from major U.S. cities. Cruises are a very popular way to explore multiple islands and countries in the Caribbean at a modest cost. Inexpensive to very expensive.

Europe - history, architecture, and great food and wine are big draws here. Airfare is less than you might expect, often sub-$500 per person roundtrip. Less of a beach resort destination, although areas of Italy, France, and Greece on the Mediterranean can provide the sun & surf element. Castles in Ireland and self-drive B&B vacations throughout the UK are popular, as are villa stays in France and Italy. In Greece, the Cyclades islands are very popular: Santorini with its submerged volcano, black sandy beach, and breathtaking sunsets…Mykonos with its blue-domed churches, whitewashed houses and beaches…and Naxos, the largest island with golden sandy beaches, clear turquoise waters, and the medieval capital of Hora. Honeymooners often combine stays on these islands with a visit to Athens. Many cruise options are available, allowing easy exploration of a number of Mediterranean ports in one vacation. Moderately expensive to very expensive.

Costa Rica & Belize - becoming very popular as eco-tourism destinations, these countries offer terrific beach resorts, watersports, diving and snorkeling, combined with jungle exploration and eco-adventures. Treetop resorts becoming popular here as well; and like Mexico, there are a number of Mayan ruins accessible in Belize. Belize also is famous for its barrier reef, and the scuba diving hotspot known as The Blue Hole. Relatively short flight from mainland U.S., combined with great value for the dollar at many resorts makes these two countries very hot for honeymooners.

Australia & New Zealand - enormous variety of things to do for the adventurous types, from Ayers Rock to the Great Barrier reef, Sydney and its renowned Opera House, Surfers Paradise. New Zealand has everything from geysers in Rotorua to jet-boating; hiking and skiing amongst tremendous scenery, and of course the famous Maori hospitality. We often suggest combining a trip to either of these countries with a stopover in Fiji or Tahiti as well. Long flight times (15 hours+ from Los Angeles) mean you’ll probably want to stay 2 weeks at the very least. Moderately expensive to expensive.

The Seychelles, Maldives, and Mauritius are all fabulous honeymoon destinations, although because of the flying time from the U.S. (around 30 hours), they’re more commonly visited by Europeans. Truly spectacular diving and scenery, great food and culture, and very friendly people. Hotels are much more spread out than Hawaii or Mexico-more like Fiji or Tahiti. Private island resorts are common, as in Fiji and Tahiti. Seychelles and Mauritius trips are commonly combined with a week or so in Africa on safari. Expensive to very expensive, even without the airfare (roughly $1500 to $2000 per person roundtrip from the U.S.).

Southeast Asia - combines terrific beach resorts with extraordinary culture and historical sites to explore. A relatively long flight from the U.S. (up to 20 hours depending on routing), but a tremendous value once you’re there. Thailand, Bali, China, Vietnam and Cambodia are all becoming very popular. Very inexpensive without the airfare; inexpensive to moderate with airfare.

Brazil, Argentina, Peru and Chile are becoming more popular, and offer a great opportunity to experience culture, wilderness and traditional beach resorts all in one vacation. The Amazon is a huge draw, of course, but also the culture and experiences to be had in Rio and Buenos Aires make for a very memorable and exotic honeymoon. The Inca city of Machu Picchu is certainly one of the most beautiful and enigmatic ancient sites in the world, perched in the Andes at over 9,000 feet in elevantion. Moderately expensive to very expensive.