Sealand - A little Nation with a Big Past

June 11, 2009

Yes, there really is a Sealand, and it is small. Sealand is considered a micro nation, and is located 6 miles off the coast of Suffolk, England.

I suppose you could call it an island as there is water all around, but unlike other islands, it is manmade. Not made of sand and stone like other lands, but steel and concrete, Sealand is definitely one of a kind.

The history of Sealand is quite interesting, beginning from its creation in 1942. Sealand is actually a floating pontoon base with two towers and a platform, which was floated out 6 miles and then sunk to the bottom leaving only the towers and the platform above the surface of the water.

Originally, Sealand was called HM Fort Roughs and was created by the UK as a form of defense from the Germans during World War II. Later, the fort was occupied by between 150 and 300 Royal Navy until 1956 when the last personnel were removed.

In September of 1967, the fort was occupied once again, but this time it was a civilian, a pirate radio broadcaster in fact. His name was Roy Bates and his plan was to broadcast from the platform. Not long after Mr. Bates set up at the platform, the Royal Navy cruised in the area to fix a buoy near the platform. Mr. Bates then informed the Royal Navy that it was in his territorial waters and the fight was on.

Guns were fired from the fort by the son of Roy Bates as a warning to the Royal Navy to leave the area and soon after that Mr. Bates was called to court to discuss the incident in England. The ruling was that the platform was outside the jurisdiction of Britain and was therefore dismissed, but the precedent had been sent. Mr. Bates was already referring to the fort as Sealand at this point and it seems was set to create his own utopia. In 1975 there was a constitution, national anthem, flag, currency and passports all for the independent nation of Sealand.

In 1978 a man named Alexander Achenbach believed himself to be the prime minister of Sealand and while the elder Bates was away, staged a takeover of the fort and held the younger Bates hostage, until finally releasing him days later. The battle was on with the enlisted the help of armed helicopters, the senior Bates took it back.

The history of Sealand is short, sordid and likely to continue as such. A fire in 2006 is and a notice to stay out of the area are basically the last things recorded on Sealand’s website, but the island was offered for sale on the internet in January of 2009 by the King of Marduk who claimed ownership. But according to Michael Bates in the Sealand News, the King of Marduk is an imposter, and the battle rages on still.

Image Source: http://www.sealandgov.com/images/sealand_main.gif Originally from http://en.wikipedia.org

Extreme Sport Vacations - Adventure Vacations of a Lifetime

June 5, 2009

An extreme sport is defined as having a high level of danger, which may involve speed, height or extreme levels of physical exertion.

Today there is a new kind of traveler, one that craves the unforeseen, difficult, or unexpected. Gone are the days of jumping in the station wagon and driving down the road to the same place year after year. Now, it is common for many types of people to jump in a plane and fly to some rarely traveled place and do something many of us would cringe at the thought of.

Some of these locations and activities are here in the U.S. and some are far away in the mountains, oceans, or deserts that until recently were destinations only on rare occasions.

In today’s well planned, organized, palm pilot life, extreme sport adventures play a part in bringing us back to the unplanned, unexpected lives that people once had.

Most everyone has a bicycles. Many of us even have off-road bicycles, the question is what do you do with your bicycle? In an urban world, it is rare to even leave the pavement, mountain bike or not. Bicycles have been an important mode of transportation for generations.

We still load up our bikes on the back of our cars and drive somewhere like Mackinac Island to jump on and enjoy a relaxing ride around the island, not very extreme, but enjoyable.

Please note that extreme sports of any kind are not for the inexperienced, take caution, and make sure to learn what you are getting into before you try it. These are called extreme for a reason.

If this sounds a bit mundane to you, why not try mountain biking in Slovenia, a country located in Central Europe containing a portion of the Swiss Alps. They have accommodations nearby where you can relax when you are not riding through a converted mine deep under the mountains, or up a slope that until recently only saw wildlife. The park was created in 1995 for those bikers craving excitement.

You have the option of going on your own, or if you are more comfortable, joining a tour. Either way, there are hundreds of miles of forest paths winding through the mountain range all of which will offer you the bike trip of a lifetime.

Caving, otherwise known as spelunking may be another option for the extreme adventure enthusiast. This you should never do alone, so plan your trip with a friend, and remember to have a guide experienced in the area to assist with your trip.

Missouri has over 5,300 registered wild caves, a cave which is yet mapped, to explore. If you prefer a mapped area, yet still on the wild side, the area surrounding the Lake of the Ozarks has hundreds of caves perfect for the spelunker in you.

Caving gives you the opportunity to go deep beneath the surface of the earth and explore the makeup of our inner world. Filled with carbonate rocks such as limestone and dolomite, pools of deep clear water, and formations that until now you only saw in the movies.

Soda straws, helictites, stalagmites and stalactites surround you on your very own Journey to the Center of the Earth! Caving is more popular than ever before and many states here in the U.S. will offer the adventurous caver the opportunity to explore this little seen world in the dark.

If you prefer Icarus to the subterranean world why not try your hand at hang gliding or paragliding.

Head up, way up, and see what you have been missing all these years. Queenstown New Zealand offers even the inexperienced the opportunity to fly with birds.

High above the Mountains, jump on a hang glider or para glider and soar above the beauty of the ranges below. These tandem jumps offer experienced guides there for you to make this trip whatever you choose. If extreme for you is floating gently down, you have that option, but if you are in for a more unpredictable glide down, don’t worry, that is also an option.

Hang and para gliding is an experience that you will definitely not forget. Of course if you want something a bit more close to home, they also have wonderful trips available for the hanglider in California as well. Enjoy the view!

These are obviously just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the adventure vacation industry, the options really are endless. Deep sea wreck diving, shark adventures, motorbiking, skiing, bungee jumping, it is all up to you. Why not try something new and amazing on your next vacation? Try an extreme sport adventure.

Sealand Travel Club Reviews

May 30, 2009

Since 1985, Sealand Travel Club and its affiliates have provided our services to more than 120,000 member base (2007 figures). We’ve performed on hundreds of thousands of vacation and travel requests giving unprecedented value to our members. One of the hallmarks of our concept is to present our clients with services at prices that essentially remove at least one of the links in the chain of travel markup. You will earn cash back bonuses based upon travel bookings. We do all the work for you and you reap the benefits.

Sealand Travel Club Reviews

Sealand Travel Club has gotten a lot of attention online, and there have been mixed reviews. We have made every attempt to address each situation and respond in the most customer-focused way. Below, we have highlighted a handful of reviews.

• Sealand Travel Club Will Fulfill Your Travel Dreams - Set yourself up for deeply discounted vacations all year long, with a membership to one of the nation’s largest travel clubs, Sealand Travel Club. Before you book your next trip, consult Sealand Travel Club.

• Sealand Travel Club Loves Travel - Do You? - Everyone loves to travel. It’s a fact. Travel is a way to express the love we all share for new things and experiences. Whether we like to travel for vacation, pleasure, for family or to learn another culture, there are smarter ways to book travel.

Check back often for more reviews!

A Fresh List of Theme Parks in Orlando Florida

May 27, 2009

Planning a Trip to Niagara Falls?

May 27, 2009

You may think that vacationing in Niagara Falls is simply a trip to the falls, but upon further investigation, you will realize that Niagara Falls has much more to offer than just the beauty and awe of the falls.

Just a word to the wise though, Niagara Falls, if you are not familiar with its location, is one side U.S. And one side Canada, so if you plan on visiting the Canadian side of the falls, be prepared with your passport.

According to the Official Website of Niagara Falls, there is much to do for everyone.
A list of featured things to do include:

• Bird Kingdom, which is an aviary with thousands of birds and has received the Attraction of the Year award 4 times. It includes hands on encounters.

• Dinner Shows featuring Canadian artists and musicians. A fun house called Nightmares Fear Factory toted as the longest running and scariest haunted house ever.

• One of the most unique experiences is the Niagara Freefall and Interactive Center which houses a vertical wind tunnel with up to 120 mph wind speeds. You are given the opportunity to freefall in a contained environment.

• If you are looking for a more laid back vacation, perhaps it is an anniversary or honeymoon or just a romantic getaway here are some other options.

• Niagara Falls Canada offers Wine tours with 25 vineyards just outside Niagara Falls you could experience the quiet peaceful part of Niagara Falls. After being awe inspired by what the falls have to offer, relax with wine tasting, tours of the country side and perhaps stay at one of quaint bed and breakfasts afforded by our neighbors to the north.

• Relax with golf, fishing or cruises.

The choices are endless. Niagara Falls has something for everyone to enjoy.

Booking A Summer Vacation For Your Family

May 19, 2009

When it comes to booking a summer vacation, there are a number of ways that you can make your reservations.  Before making summer vacation reservations, you will have to select a summer vacation destination.  Without a destination in mind, it is impossible to make reservations.

When selecting a summer vacation destination, it is important that you consider a number of factors. These factors should include whether you are traveling with children, the age of your children, and the cost of travel.  Keeping these factors in mind will enable you to select the summer vacation destination that will best fit your needs.

After you have selected a summer vacation destination, you can begin to make reservations.  A large number of amusement parks, campgrounds, and hotels in the United States do not require reservations.  Despite the fact that reservations may not be required, it is still advised that you make them.  Popular summer vacation “hotspots,” quickly fill up with vacationing tourists.  Without the proper reservations, you may be left without the necessary accommodations.

Unless you are camping outdoors, it is likely that you will need to reserve a hotel room.  Unless you plan on staying at smaller resort, all available through Sealand Travel Club.  When it comes to overnight stays, most individuals would prefer to stay at a hotel, but not everyone.  A large number of families enjoy vacations that are centered on the outdoors.  These vacations often involve camping outdoors.  Even if you plan on vacationing at a state park or a public campground, you are still urged to make a reservation.  Public campgrounds and state parks are often limited on the amount of camping space they have.  Making a reservation will ensure that you are guaranteed a place to set up your tent or park your RV trailer.

To book a popular vacation destination, but at a discount, you may want to consider a  Sealand Travel Club Membership.  We offer discounts on popular hotels, airlines, and restaurants all around the world.  Whether you choose to use the services of a discount travel website or you intend you make your own vacation reservations, you are encouraged to take the appropriate steps.  Anticipating room at the hottest summer vacation destinations is a costly mistake that could possibly ruin your vacation.  Don’t make that mistake; book your reservations ahead of time.

Tips for Shopping in Mexico

May 19, 2009

If you are like me and like to get bargains, then you will enjoy these tips for shopping in Mexico. Mexico is a wonderful place to visit and is known for its wonderful resorts, beaches, and rich history. It is also known for great bargains and exquisite boutiques. When visiting Mexico, many tourists are excited to browse through the various shopping centers.

When shopping in Mexico, it is important to understand that there are strict rules that are enforced regarding the purchases that can be made in Mexico, as well as what can be brought back in to the United States. Before you leave, it may be wise to review the United States Customs and Border Protection rules. These rules will let you know what you can purchase in Mexico and bring home with you.

Endangered species are not allowed to be purchased and brought back into the United States. Since Mexico has such a wide range of wildlife, there are many products that are available for sale there. Many of these products are considered illegal and will be taken by United States Customs and Border Patrol. You may be given a fine if you purchase these items and try to bring them over the border; however, additional action may be taken. When it doubt you are encouraged to stay away from wild animals that are for sale. In addition to the animals themselves, you should be wary of goods that may have been made by these animals.

Crocodiles are on the endangered species list. Though it may seem enticing to have a new pair of Crocodile boots or a purse, you should avoid these items at all costs. You will find that the government takes these violations seriously. They will make routine checks at inspection points looking for any items that are deemed endangered. Stuffed wildlife is also forbidden, so if you see any of these and they look appealing, resist the urge to purchase them and leave them be.

Mexican birds are colorful and exotic. For those who deal with live trade, it may seem that purchasing exotic parrots from Mexico is a wonderful idea, but you need to think again. Purchasing birds from Mexico is also considered violation. To remain on the safe side, you should avoid purchasing any wildlife or wildlife products. Even stuffed birds are against the law. Even you may see these in abundance at shops and street markets, do your homework, and pass them up. There are many other wonderful souvenirs that you can purchase that are legal and will pass through the border.

Antiquities and glazed ceramics are beautiful and appealing to many tourists. Yet, Mexico considers their antiques to be property of the government. This means that if you uncover any artifacts and try to bring them back to the United States, you will be prosecuted for theft and maybe even face additional charges. It is best to leave any authentic looking artifacts in Mexico where they belong.

Glazed ceramics look beautiful and may be a wonderful addition to your home décor. However, many of the ceramics made and found in Mexico are made with lead. It is for this reason that you should avoid purchasing glazed ceramics from Mexico. If you do make the purchase, you need to make sure that everyone in your household is aware of the potential dangers.

While it may seem as if you are prohibited from purchasing many items sold in Mexican shops, there are additional items that you can purchase. When shopping in Mexico it is important that you follow all rules and regulations. Staying on the safe side will ensure that you can enjoy you Mexico vacation without any complications.

The Mighty AuSable River in Northern Michigan

May 7, 2009

The Mighty AuSable, as it is affectionately called. Known as heaven for fly fisherman from around the country. Also known, worldwide for the longest Canoe Marathon held the last weekend in July. Many visit the area for this big event, in fact, George Blaha (Detroit Pistons Announcer) was the Emcee in 2005). The race starts at 9:00p.m. in Grayling, Michigan and continues until 11:00a.m. and finished in Oscoda, Michigan where the AuSable empties into Lake Huron.

The Au Sable is a major tributary to Lake Huron. It drains a north-south basin that includes 1,932 square miles in north-central lower Michigan. The basin is approximately 90 miles long and 10 to 30 miles wide. The river basin is partially within the Huron National Forest and includes parts of Otsego, Montmorency, Crawford, Osco, Alcona, Roscommon, Ogemaw, and Iosco counties.

Almost to Oscoda is a miraculous place. A sacred ground to the Native Americans who once occupied this land, Iargo Springs is a must see attraction.

Iargo Springs Interpretive Site provides a spectacular panoramic view of the Au Sable River. It lies next to River Road and has been used as a drinking water source since presettlement times. Dams were constructed on the springs by early loggers, before the turn of the century. The dams were useful on diverting water to the logging camps nearby. Most of the waters of Cooke Pond were dry land then. Europeans have visited the springs for recreation since the 1920’s. A trail was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1934. Early photographs show the dam being repaired and reinforced by the CCC’s. This work lasted until a storm took out the dams in 1981.

Iargo Springs Interpretive Site was renovated in 1991. The “One Step At A Time” campaign raised funds to rebuild the stairway. Additional grant moneys and Forest Service funds were used to landscape the area and construct the boardwalks
and dams.

With over 300 steps down to the over 1000 ft boardwalk that runs through out the natural springs, one must be in good physical condition to make the journey to the bottom. If you aren’t able to make it, the view from the Observation Deck places one at the top of the Hophornbeam trees.

Getting the Best Price on Car Rentals

May 1, 2009

When planning to travel to other countries or even just to a different state, car rental has always been a must especially for traveling families who need to go to one place to another. However, is spite of whatever “status” they may have, familiesas well as ordinary travelers still opt to find and avail of the most thrifty car rentals that they could find. Thrifty car rentals usually abound, whether it be on directories, the internet or wherever it is that you can find service advertisements. It really just a matter of choosing the best thrifty car rental for you and your needs.

Convenience is always a must whenever a person travels, this is pretty much while a lot of people opt to avail of thrifty car rentals, aside from having the convenience of being able to go whichever place they want without the hassle of hopping from one kind of mass transportation to another, they still get good value for their money.

A good example of a reputable thrifty car rental service company in the country is the Alamo car rental company. A lot of people actually recommend availing its thrifty car rental service, because of aside from being practical, they provide good and efficient service to their customers. From providing their customers with a wide range of vehicles to choose from, cars, RVs, basically just whatever type of vehicle that you may need for you travels. They also have various travel programs that you can choose from, this thrifty car rental has actually created various customer programs to suit each and every one’s needs and demands. From corporate programs to government contractor programs, thrifty car rentals surely is their line of expertise.

Another good reason for choosing the Alamo car rental service as your thrifty car rental option, is their strict adherence to quality of service, they’ve really made a name fro themselves by making sure that their customers needs are always kept and they’ve made it a point to keep their good customer feedback by assuring their customers (as well as those who are just browsing) that they provide quality, yet thrifty car rentals.

Thrifty car rentals should never really be a hassle to your traveling needs (or demands), it is pretty easy to land on a huge list of companies that are able to provide quality yet thrifty car rentals. Just be sure to keep a keen eye on the companies that you are choosing from, unfortunately, is spite of a lot of thrifty car rentals who really do try to make an honest living by providing good, quality service to its customers, some sleazy thrifty car rentals still circulate in the market. Be sure to be cautious still when choosing, some may offer really low rates but their cars may be not of real good quality, simply put, the reason why they’re offering thrifty car rentals may be because of their defective cars.

Look out for “signs” when you’re choosing. Ask around, from your family, friends, colleagues and especially your travel agent in which of these thrifty car rentals would they actually recommend. Weigh out your options based on your needs, wants and most importantly, you budget. Of course, having a limited budget shouldn’t really just force you to end up settling with just any thrifty car rental service, shelling out a little more may not really hurt you. In the end, when it comes to looking for thrifty car rentals, it really is more of the quality of service that they provide which should matter to you.

Sealand Travel offers an array of options and price quotes from a variety of travel suppliers, giving you the upper hand when making your final travel decisions. We can help to make your travel dollars go farther because we have access to finding all sorts of deals ranging from flights to hotels to dinner recommendations.

Sealand Travel is an expert in helping travelers get where they need to go and create possibilities most people never would have dreamed were possible. Avoid the headaches and let Sealand Travel do all the time consuming work of planning a complex itinerary.

Theatre and Performing Arts in New York City

April 25, 2009

New York’s Broadway is famous for its many shows, especially musicals. You might want to visit TKTS online, which offers tickets for shows the same night at discounted prices, usually 50% off or visit BroadwayBox.com, a community site posting all recent Broadway discounts. TKTS has two offices, one at Times Square with lines often hours long, and a much faster one (sometimes minutes) at South Street Seaport (Corner of John St, just south of Brooklyn Bridge). Note that only cash is accepted at South Street. Show up at opening time for best selection. Tickets to most Broadway shows are also available from the Broadway Concierge and Ticket Center, inside the Times Square Visitor Center. They offer restaurant and hotel recommendations, parking help, and other services in addition to ticket sales, available in several languages.

New York boasts an enormous amount and variety of theatrical performances. These shows usually fall into one of three categories: Broadway, Off-Broadway, or Off-Off-Broadway.Broadway refers to the shows near Times Square that usually play to theaters of 500 seats or more. These include the major musicals and big-name dramatic works, and are the most popular with visitors. Tickets for Broadway shows can run to $100 a seat, though discounters like TKTS (above) make cheaper seats available. Off-Broadway indicates performances that are smaller, not located in or near Times Square, and usually of a certain intellectual seriousness. Tickets to Off-Broadway shows tend to range from $25-50. Off-Off-Broadway refers to those shows that play to very small audiences (less than 100 seats) with actors working without equity. These can be dirt cheap and often very good, but some may be sufficiently avant-garde as to turn off conservative playgoers. Off-Off-Broadway Theaters worth checking out are Rising Sun Performance Company, Endtimes Productions, and The People’s Improv Theater.

For current and upcoming Broadway and Off-Broadway info and listings, visit Playbill.com. This site also has lots of articles on what’s going on in the NY commercial theatre scene. Broadway.com and Newyorkcitytheatre.com also has plenty of info, as well as some videos and photos. Theatermania has many discounts to the bigger shows, and also provides listings for the Off-Off scene. If visiting in the summer, brave the huge lines and attempt to get tickets to the Public Theater’s  annual “Shakespeare in the Park,” which often features big-time stars of stage and screen. Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline, Natalie Portman, and Liev Schrieber are just a few of the actors to have appeared here in recent years. Oh, and it’s free. Just get to one of the box offices ridiculously early, especially the one at the Park.

It’s possible to purchase tickets to The Tony Awards, Broadway’s biggest award ceremony and the culmination of the theatrical season in the city. These aren’t cheap, but if you’re into the theatre scene and know something about the various performers being honored, it can be an exciting night. In any case, the performances are always fun, and you can catch moments that aren’t in the broadcast. Always the first or second Sunday night in June, visit The Tony Awards website for the most current details.

New York has a wide variety of musical and dance companies, including several that are among the world’s most renowned. There are also numerous small companies putting on more idiosyncratic shows every night of the week. The following are just a few of New York’s most high-profile music and dance options.

• Brooklyn Academy of Music(BAM), 30 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn. Home to the impressive Brooklyn Philharmonic, BAM is one of the best places in the country to attend cutting-edge new musical and dance performances. The Next Wave Festival every autumn is a much-anticipated event of the New York performance scene.

• Carnegie Hall, 881 Seventh Avenue. The premier venue for classical music in the United States, Carnegie Hall is famous around the world for its dazzling performances. Playing at Carnegie Hall is, for many classical musicians, the epitome of success. Carnegie Hall houses three different auditoriums, with the Isaac Stern auditorium being the largest venue.

• Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, at Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center, 155 West 65th Street (at Broadway). The Chamber Music Society is the most prestigious chamber music ensemble in the United States, playing in the acoustically impeccable Alice Tully Hall.

• Metropolitan Opera at Metropolitan Opera House in Lincoln Center, 155 West 65th Street (at Broadway). The Met (as it is known) is one of the greatest opera companies in the world. The company performs six days a week (Monday-Saturday) during the season (September-April), and always lands the greatest singers from around the globe. Expect to pay a small fortune for the most expensive seats, but upper-tier seats can cost as little as $25.

• New York City Opera at New York State Theater in Lincoln Center, 155 West 65th Street (at Broadway). (Closed for renovations until Fall 2009.) The slightly more accessible and energetic younger sister of the Met, the NYCO is a world-class company that puts on a dynamic range of performances. Plus, tickets can go for as little as $16.

• New York City Ballet at New York State Theater in Lincoln Center, 155 West 65th Street (at Broadway). Founded by George Balanchine, the New York City Ballet is among the world’s best dance companies. Their performances of the The Nutcracker, during the holiday season, are enormously popular.

• New York Philharmonic at Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center, 155 West 65th Street (at Broadway). One of the premier orchestras in the United States, playing a wide variety of concerts (more than 100) every year to sold-out crowds, the Philharmonic is well-known for its standard-setting performances of the classical canon. The season runs from September to June, and in the summer they play free concerts in parks around the city.

• Radio City Music Hall, 1260 Avenue of the Americas, (212) 632-3975, [110]. See the Rockettes, another show or just tour the famous Art Deco masterpiece.

It is our goal to provide hardworking vacationers with the ability to enjoy their vacations at a discounted price that makes vacationing affordable for everyone. We make it possible for vacationers to save time, energy and effort along with their money using Sealand Travel Club.

Vacation Clubs are the new innovation in the travel industry, and Sealand Travel Club is at the top of their field. Whether you need an incentive to start vacationing or you are an avid vacationer already, Sealand Travel Club can accommodate you in many ways and save you money. Whether you like to drive and camp or fly first class, cruise the world or just tour the good old USA, Sealand Travel Club provides its members with the most convenient options at the very best price.

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