Monday, 23 March 2009

25 Lanzarote Attractions Teguise Golf

25 Lanzarote Attractions - Teguise Golf
By John Plumb

Before telling you about my particular day out at Teguise Golf, the more avid golfers amongst you will probably want to know what views they can expect to see and the technical stuff that goes with playing golf. For me it was simply a great opportunity to spend a morning with a former work colleague (Colin) and his son (David) as they were staying in a neighbouring villa on La Goleta, part of the wider Faro Park Development.

The course runs along the side of an old volcano (no surprise there given Lanzarotes landscape) and has inspirational views of volcanic lava, cacti and over includes over 3,000 palm trees and has superb views of the Atlantic Ocean throughout. A Golf course such as this one, is quite simply, in my opinion, nature at its best. Csar Manrique, the man who taught the people of Lanzarote to care for their natural habitat has clearly left his influence everywhere. If you are a Golf anorak, you might also want to read the next paragraph of technical data ? If youre not, simply skip over it.

The course measures 6041m (White) ; 5582m (Yellow) ; 5289m (Blue) ; and 4938m (Red). Generally, visitors play off the blue tees. The Slope Rating of the course is 127 (White) ; 127 (Yellow) ; 130 (Blue) ; and 124 (Red)

We played off Blue Tees. The course measures 5289 Metres (5791 Yards for the non converts) and is a Par 72 course.

Ive since found out that the course was designed by British landscape architect John Harris and built in 1978. It is a truly a fantastic course, not only because of its design but also thanks to the excellent condition in which it is kept all year round and at Easter (April 2006), it was in superb condition. Given its location, it benefits from a warm and pleasant climate all year round, tempered only by sea breezes from the islands almost constant trade winds. The course is designed to be smooth yet varied. It has more than your average number of doglegs, designed to test your ability (or lack of it) and allows you to bring all your clubs into play. It will test everyone from scratch players to those of us with more modest ability.

Address : Avenida del Golf, s/n. 35509 Costa Teguise (Lanzarote).
Telephone : (00 34) 928 59 05 12
Fax : (00 34) 928 59 23 37
Email info@lanzarote-golf.com
Webiste :www.lanzarote-golf.com

The Following services can be found at the Club - Club hire, trolleys, buggies, driving range, pro-shop and club storage. There are separate male and female changing rooms and you can hire lockers. There is a Bar and Restaurant. The restaurant offers a varied menu, based on Mediterranean cuisine. The prices vary according to season. In the Summer months (1st June to 30th September) it costs 53 Euros (for 18 Holes) and 36 Euros (for 9 Holes after 4pm). In the Winter (we played in Winter and it was scorching !), it costs 65 Euros (18 Holes) and 52 Euros (9 Holes after 3pm). The Course has discount agreements with most of the hotels on the island, so check at your hotel, or check out a nearby hotel if youre in private accommodation as you can often get a better deal than this by doing so.

And so, to our day out. We planned to set off at 7am from our home in Playa Blanca (the idea being not to spoil the day for others and Brownie Points for everyone !.

There was to be four of playing, but that quickly became three when Gary (The Rainman) decided he was on holiday and was not coming to Golf at 7am (given that he left the British Open on Faro Park at midnight the night before (to prepare for golf), I was very surprised to get the Dear John text first thing in the morning. Garys nickname is a long story, but basically when its cold he wants it hot and when its hot he prays for rain (and usually gets it, so Im not that keen on going on holiday with him !)The three of us (Colin, a work colleague, his son David and yours truly) set off around 7:30am and we drove along the LZ-2 and then headed towards San Bartholme and then into Costa Teguise (avoiding Arrecife !)

When we arrived we were told it was members day (Saturday !) and that they had no tee times for 3 hours. A quick bit of lateral thinking later, we asked if we could play 10-18 and then get a Tee time for 1-9 which they agreed to (something youd almost expect them to suggest in the UK, so ask if you need to).

We decided wed have a friendly game of singles (if there is such a thing) - Loser buys the beers at the 19th hole. We played stableford, off full handicaps (youll need them). To cut along story short (ish), Colin was flying, I was struggling to even stay in touch and David, well David was having a bad day (its just as well he hired his clubs !). Colin was five points in front with five to play before he decided to show us his impression of Devon Loch (hes the horse that collapsed of exhaustion 50 yards from the finishing line in the 1956 Grand National when leading by 20 lengths !) Going up the 18th Colin was one behind (but I did not rub it in, honest) !

Colin tells me his wife Jackie really enjoyed her first trip to the island and that they may return. Im sure if we ever go into combat again, David will have been the range beforehand to shake off the cobwebs and Colin will make sure that he does not sprint when its a marathon.

Me, well I had my day !

John Plumb, frequent visitor to Lanzarote, a place that is now my 'home from home' having taken the plunge into villa ownership on the island - See http://www.villa-rochelle.co.uk.John is also the administrator of the Lanzarote Villa Owners Club @ http://www.lanzvillaowners.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=JohnPlumb
http://EzineArticles.com/?25-Lanzarote-Attractions---Teguise-Golf&id=193453

Myrtle Beach Vacation Rentals

Myrtle Beach Vacation Rentals
By Jennifer Weiss

Myrtle Beach, located along the Grand Strand on the coast of South Carolina, is one of the prime vacation destinations in the country, drawing visitors from all around the world. With its abundance of golf courses and miles of sandy coastline, it is the perfect place for a family vacation or a weekend getaway. Make your way to Myrtle Beach for your next trip to the coast and let the sun, sand, and variety of attractions calm your nerves and show you the vacation of a lifetime.

Vacationing in Myrtle Beach means spending lots of time exploring different golf courses or participating in numerous water activities. If either of these items are on your itinerary, you can find accommodations that make it easy engulf yourself in what appeals to you most about this area. Myrtle Beach vacation rentals are conveniently located throughout the city, providing easy access to the attractions you want to visit. No matter what you are looking for, there is a vacation home rental in the location that matters most to you with all the amenities you need for a great trip.

If your schedule is jam-packed with days of hitting the links at local courses, then why not stay in a home that sits directly on a lush green fairway of the World Tour Golf Links. This courses 27 holes are inspired by some of the most challenging and famous layouts in the world, allowing visitors to sample the best in a single day. A quick look out the window reminds you why you have come to the area that has the largest concentration of golf courses anywhere in the world. And when you are ready to face the challenge, one of the best courses in the Myrtle Beach area is a stones throw away.

While staying in a vacation rental that sits on an amazing golf course is a great way to be near your passion, it is also excellent for those who want a quiet, more natural setting. Towering pines and live oaks line the fairways and crystal clear water hazards are just off to the side, creating the perfect environment for anyone looking to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and kick back to the birds sweet song. Forget about everything you have left behind and simply relax on your balcony as you soak in the beautiful views of the rolling terrain and calming green land.

Staying on the water in an oceanview condo is a great way to enjoy the amenities that come with condos while allowing yourself easy access to the beach at all times. You can find condo rentals that have numerous indoor and outdoor pools, an indoor water park, an onsite tiki bar, numerous hot tubs, and fully-equipped exercise rooms so any activity you could possibly think of is easily within reach. The condos themselves are nicely stocked themselves, providing enough beach towels to last your trip, TVs, DVD players, wireless internet, and plenty of space so everyone in your group has a comfortable bed to sleep in.

Whether you choose a condo or house rental that is directly on the beach, you are making a good decision if you plan on spending a lot of time playing in the sun and the sand. When you stay on the water, a day at the beach is just a short stroll away so you dont need to waste time in the morning packing your vehicle full of supplies and then searching for a convenient parking spot. Simply get the family ready and walk out the backdoor, where you will be greeted by the sound of the waves and the warm sand between your toes. There is no crossing busy streets and when you need a short break from the sun, your vacation rental is nearby so you can have a rejuvenating lunch with all the comforts of home.

When the thought of walking across the beach as the surf slides gently over your feet has become too much to bear, come to the South Carolina coast for a vacation filled with rest, relaxation, and plenty of sun. There are plenty of attractions to keep you occupied and plenty of Myrtle Beach vacation rentals that allow you to retreat away from the noise and simply soak in the breathtaking beauty of the Atlantic Ocean.

HomeAway.com has the most comprehensive selection of vacation rental homes on the Internet. For an alternative lodging option, consider Myrtle Beach vacation rentals for your next trip to the South Carolina coast.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=JenniferWeiss
http://EzineArticles.com/?Myrtle-Beach-Vacation-Rentals&id=296130

Balloon Ride Business On The Up

Balloon Ride Business On The Up
By Stephen Turner

Ten years ago it was all very different in the world of ballooning. You could expect to travel some considerable distance to find a balloon ride operator to take you into the air for a hot air balloon ride. You might even have to leave your own country. If you were lucky, there would be a small number of balloon ride operators somewhere near you, and if you were unlucky, there would be none.

The good news is that all that has changed in the balloon ride business. These days a balloon ride can be had pretty much wherever you wish: Brazil, Russia, Chile, Surrey, South Africa, Spain, Gloucestershire, Namibia, Costa Rica, Kenya, Hertfordshire and, let us not forget, little old Australia and the United States of America.

That I am able to throw a few counties in England into my list of exciting ballooning locations from around the world is a sign of high times for the balloon ride business in the United Kingdom. It's good news for any one like me who loves the idea of taking a balloon ride in Kenya, but is too poor of time and money to book the flight out there.

Australians and Americans, blessed as they are in their respective countries with numerous stunning locations that are ideal for balloon rides, might legitimately say that the United Kingdom is not blessed with the most ideal of flying conditions for a balloon ride. We Brits might sigh and agree that (even if we do get up in the air) our balloon ride will just disappear into a constitutionally guaranteed grey sky, where the best sight from our basket will be a steaming cup of tea. But the truth is rather brighter. Most flights take place early in the morning, when the weather is calmer, and if you get up into the air, it's because the conditions are right for flight, and so you will get a great view. I have been taking photographs from way up there for ten years, and my photo albums speak of the ballooning beauty that is Great Britain.

Of course the weather can disappoint. Too much wind, or the wrong type of wind, will keep you on the ground, ruining your day. But there is usually another one following it, so there is time to try again.

There are over a hundred commercial balloon ride operators in the United Kingdom just waiting to get you into the air. The statistics are impressive: there were around 80,000 balloon ride passengers in the United Kingdom last year. And if you don't trust the statistics, trust the pilots. Many of our pilots are highly experienced Australian and American pilots, and if the flying or the business were poor, they would not be here.

So why not make yourself one of the 80,000? Bring your friends, the family, who ever you want. It really is jaw-droppingly beautiful up there. It's another world and you just do not want to come down. But with business the way it is, you don't have to for long.

Stephen Turner 2006.

Stephen Turner has set up an information and resource website called Balloon Ride. On the site you'll find loads of balloon ride information and advice, articles, features, discussion and specially chosen links to other balloon ride websites from around the world, so please take a look. Stephen would also welcome your feedback on the site: click on the contact link on the site. This article may be reproduced in its original form provided that the author's copyright note and this 'author resource box' paragraph are displayed below the article.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=StephenTurner
http://EzineArticles.com/?Balloon-Ride-Business-On-The-Up&id=168804

Sunday, 22 March 2009

24 Hours in Fukuoka City Travel Journal

24 Hours in Fukuoka City - Travel Journal
By Anndrea Law

I visited a good friend, Keiko, in Fukuoka recently. It was my first long vacation since I started working.

Tenjin StationUpon arriving at Fukuoka City, we placed my luggage in a locker at Tenjin train station, and headed to a traditional garden called Yusentei. There, we had the view of the Japanese garden to ourselves while enjoying matcha (green tea). The path in the garden led you right up to the edge of the water, and was ornamented with a small waterfall. The name of the vila is indeed apt: friendship-fountain-restplace.

Yusentei Japanese Villa

After Yusentei, we walked to the city's popular public park with a big lake. There was another park that Keiko wanted to show me, but we could not find the place. So we decided to have lunch and stumbled into a street with a character that reminded me of my place in Barcelona's Sierra district: safe, upper class and good food.

Lunch at El Bacharro

As if in reminiscence of my memory, we settled for a restaurant that serves food from Valencia called El Bacharro. I had vegetable with cheese and anchovies 'fondue', a popular dish of the house. The place was small but everything was carefully placed. We were particularly intrigued by the carefully camouflaged toilet entrance, which was no more than a flat wooden plank that ran across the concrete wall.

Western Food in Japan

According to Keiko, western cuisine is expensive in Japan, as Japanese food would be in most other cities. So during my stay, I was reated to western delicacies a la Japanese style a few times, e.g. the cheesecake that Keiko's parents bought from their weekend trip to an onsen (hot spring), and citrus muffins at a flower garden.

Court House

After lunch, we visited the courthouse, where Keiko frequented when she was still an working as a legal assistant. She tried hard to find a hearing that I would attend, but there was none that was not already in session or has ended. Still, it was interesting to see how open the courthouse is to the public. Anyone could walk in and sit into a hearing and the place resembled more of a hospital than a courthouse.

Cultural District

From the courthouse, we headed to a cultural district lined with museums, shops and temples. It was interesting to see the traditional sweets that Keiko gave me as a gift when she visited my home last summer.

We played with the traditional toys. There was one called Pabo, or something that mimicked the sound it made. It was a magical wooden book that clapped continuously once you set it in motion. The toy still rings vividly as I think about it now. Perhaps I should have bought one like Keiko said. But then we agreed that she would buy it for my first-born.

The porcelain artiste was in the musuem today. He was affable and chatty. We asked him to recommend a place to visit. He checked the time and replied that there was a Buddhist temple nearby that was still open for another hour. There, we could go through a test to see if we would go to heaven.

Buddhist Temple

The test was a journey into a dark passage way behind the alter of a big Buddha carved out of cypress. If you groped along the walls and touched a metal ring, then you are going to heaven. Silly as it may sound, I felt a real sense of cleansing after the test. For in the pitch blackness, ironically, it was as if someone shone a bright light into my soul. There was no way I could hide from my deepest conscience. (Of course, if you are wondering, Keiko and I are going to heaven.)

Canal City

We headed next to the glittering material world of Canal City, a popular mall with canals not unlike the Venice wannabes in Las Vegas. Watching the sunset unfold on the panoramic window of the cafe, Sweet Museum, we knew it was time to go home.

The author is an avid traveller and amateur photographer.To view the above article with accompanying photographs and to see more photo-journals, please visit http://viewmesomefreejournals.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=AnndreaLaw
http://EzineArticles.com/?24-Hours-in-Fukuoka-City---Travel-Journal&id=399405

Diverse Menu at Orlando Restaurants

Diverse Menu at Orlando Restaurants
By Robert Patterson

Every city has restaurants to brag about and Orlando is no different. With millions of visitors each year and a booming local economy, Orlando offers fantastic dining options for both locals and guests. Theme park resorts and many fine hotels offer great dining, International Drive is full of family friendly dining, and many celebrated chefs have opened upscale eateries in this magic city.

The most important meal of the day just got better with Le Peep serving up its hardy menu of filling favorites. Located in the Universal Studios Resort, Le Peep is a local favorite with its popular skillet dishes and its home spun breakfast banana split consisting of bananas, strawberries, blueberries, strawberry yogurt and granola. Bakely's Restaurant & Bake Shop in Winter Park is also a great place to start your day with its extra thick French toast and a tall cup of Joe.

Speaking of coffee, Orlando offers up some great coffeehouses for those looking for that quintessential morning pick me up. Check out Austin Coffee and Film or Palmano's Espresso Bar both located in Winter Park. Downtown also serves up great beans at Downtown Media Art Center where coffee becomes the medium art form. Those staying near International Drive will want to stop at Bad Ass Coffee for a tall cup of this beanery's Kona, Hawaiian blends.

Sunday mornings in Orlando should be reserved for the gospel Sunday brunch at the House of Blues in Downtown Disney. This house sets a spiritual mood with its enormous displays of folk art, over 6,000 original paintings and 60 sculptures from rural southern African-American artists. Heavenly sounds from live gospel entertainment and the all you can eat brunch make Sundays at the House of Blues a must.

Midday hungers can be squelched with Bubbalou's special, a combo of spare ribs, pork and chicken served with a mound of side orders at Bubbalou's Bodacious Bar-B-Que in Winter Park. Downtown's Baja Burrito Kitchen features Cal-Mex cuisine and deluxe burritos, while Ming Court on International Drive is creating incredible Dim Sum dishes.

Those spending their days at the theme parks will have an ample amount of lunch choices. Try The Earl of Sandwich at Downtown Disney Marketplace for a hot sandwich with delicious bread baked to order and generous portions of sandwich fillings. Universal CityWalk Orlando eateries offer numerous options for those visiting Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. Stop by Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville for a cup of gumbo or the Hard Rock Cafe offers great salads and lunch entres.

Choosing where to dine in Orlando is just as difficult as deciding which dish to order once you're there. Luckily these are problems worth having and any choice you make is most likely going to satisfy your tastes. International Drive is full of options for families and couples looking for a night out. Cafe Tu Tu Tango is a great choice with roving musicians and artists creating art tableside. This world fusion restaurant has some tasty tapas to start your meal and amazing entres blending flavors and cultures.

Visitors of Universal CityWalk Orlando will yell a collective BAM if lucky enough to get into Emeril's Restaurant Orlando. The celebrity chef's Orlando eatery is wildly popular and for just reasons. Creative dishes and New Orleans cuisine are highlighted by the sophisticated atmosphere and attentive service making Emeril's Restaurant the essence of CityWalk dining.

Romantics are going to find Victoria & Albert's in Walt Disney World Resort's Grand Floridian hotel to be the perfect compliment to good company. Domed ceilings, marble columns and a plush interior combine style, sophistication and class. Chef Scott Hunnel's daily prix fixe menu offers unexpected flavors and dishes that are truly unique.

Late night diners will rejoice to find I-Drive's Bahama Breeze is open late and offers outdoor dining to boot. Steel drums and tiki torches keep the night alive as you feast on exotic island nosh. Wash it all down with a minty mojito or one of the many frozen specialty drinks available.

If you still have room you'll want to stop by The Dessert Lady Cafe where owner and head chef Patti Schmidt serves her incredible desserts featured in many posh Orlando restaurants. Good company, coffee from Palmano's and a dessert from The Dessert Lady Cafe could be the perfect ending to your culinary exploration of Orlando.

Robert Patterson is an Orlando expert and the Content Manager for BookIt.com - the Internet Travel Company Offering Discounted Orlando Hotels and Vacations with No Booking Fees, Ever! Visit BookIt.com Travel Guides for Additional Orlando Travel information including Articles, Reviews and Helpful Travel Tips.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=RobertPatterson
http://EzineArticles.com/?Diverse-Menu-at-Orlando-Restaurants&id=371987