Before you fly, you want to make sure that you check inside the
airplane and outside on the ground for “FOD.”

What is FOD? It is Foreign Object Debris. It is anything that
does not belong where it is. For instance, sticks or rocks on
the ramp around the airplane are considered FOD. Pens or papers
in the floor of the airplane also are considered FOD. Again,
anything that is out of place is foreign object debris.

Why is this a problem? Debris on the ground around the airplane
could get sucked into the propellar and damage the airplane. Or,
as you taxi, the debris might not hit your airplane, but it
might blow back and hit other airplanes or people.

Another problem with FOD inside the airplane is that it might
get in the way of something you need to operate. You don’t want
loose papers or objects in the airplane that could distract you
from your primary duty of flying.

Once, a pilot had to make an emergency landing because he lost
some control of the airplane. He landed safely, but found out
that a pen that he had left in the floor of his airplane months
previously had gotten jammed into some of the control cables. It
was a little thing that could have been a lot worse. And it
could have been easily avoided.

One way to avoid FOD inside the airplane is to make sure that
you are taking away from the airplane everything that you
brought to the flight. This will help to ensure that nothing is
accidentally in the airplane without you knowing about it.

This is just one of many things you can do each and every time
you fly. Also, having good flying habits are great for safety as
well as professionalism.

Just remember to check before you takeoff, and be safe when you
learn to fly!

Having the right camping gear on any
camping trip makes all the difference when it comes to staying
comfortable and enjoying yourself.

Probably the most important camping gear to have
on any camping trip is the camping tent. It provides you with
shelter from the elements… wind, rain, snow, cold and heat.

Camping tents come in many sizes, weights and levels of
durability. As with all camping gear, it is
necessary to determine what function your camping tent will
serve. If you are planning a backpacking - camping trip,
especially for any length of time or distance, you are going to
want a camping tent, as well as all your camping gear to be
lightweight, compact, durable and waterproof.

However, if you are taking the family on a weekend camping
outing to a state or national park, you probably can treat
yourself to the luxury of having a larger, bulkier, canvas-type
camping tent. Of course, being waterproof here too is also
recommended.

When shopping for camping gear,
especially your camping tent, take the time to research the
different brands and guarantees available, and get
recommendations from referrals and reviews.

Making your camping trip an enjoyable one, always begins with
having the right camping gear. And,
having the right camping gear starts
with having the right camping tent.

This article deals with the most common use of the word hammock. A hammock is a sling for sleeping or resting in. Particularly in the southern US, a hammock can also mean a piece of thickly wooded land, usually covered with bushes and vines.
The hammock is a device used to sleep or rest in and consists of cloth or a network of twine or thin rope which is stretched between two firm points to create the perfect hammock.

The Garden Hammock was developed in South America or the Caribbean. Hammocks are standard items in almost all yards and homes in the Yucatan. Hammocks were said to have arrived in Yucatan from the Caribbean less than two centuries before the Spanish Conquest. Hammocks are made of various materials. The quality depends greatly on the thread and the number of threads used to create them. Hammocks are made in villages surrounding the capital city Merida and are sold throughout the world as well as locally. Hammocks hold such a strong place in the hearts of the Yucatecans, that even the most humble of homes have hammock hooks in the walls. Mayan hammocks are made on a loom and are hand woven by men, women and children.

Currently, there are a wide variety of hammocks available. There are hammocks that are designed specifically for backpacking and include mosquito netting along with pockets for nighttime storage. There are hammocks made out of thin and lightweight material which makes them ideal for taking on trips such as camping. Other hammocks include self-standing metal or wood structures that support the hammock. Although many people today purchase their hammock pre-made, it is also possible to make your own specialty hammock.

Hammocks have also traditionally been used by sailors on ships and by astronauts in space. During the Apollo program, the Lunar Module was equipped with hammocks for the commander and pilot to sleep between moonwalks. Hammocks are also handy on a ship. Since a hammock moves in concert with the motion of the ship, the sleeper is not at a risk of being thrown onto the floor. Some people worry that it is easy to fall out of a hammock during sleep, but this is rarely true. The sides of a traditional hammock wraps around the sleeper like a cocoon which makes a fall from the hammock virtually impossible.

Neisha Bjorklund is a web master for www.luxuryhammocks.com. Take a look at our luxury line of hammocks, hammock chairs, and hammock swings. Drift away in peace while relaxing in your very own hammock.

It’s not uncommon to find reasons why people don’t want to go whitewater rafting.
Rollercoaster’s keep you safe, skydiving has a parachute and bungee jumping has
well, a bungee. But rafting? Rafting only has a life jacket that keeps you afloat but
not necessarily out of the water. That said hesitant people tend to look at the same
problems of rafting and talk themselves out of a trip when statistically you’re safer
going down the river than driving there.

They don’t strap you into the boat so you can fall out.

As much as it pains me that I can’t actually strap some of my guests down to the
boat the reality is that you are actually safer to be mobile. If the boat was to flip in
the middle of a rapid and you are held underwater the life vest most likely wouldn’t
work properly possibly forcing you to drown. Since a majority of entry level rivers
are pool drop systems—which means a rapid then a calm pool—if you do fall out
most likely all that’s going to happen is you will be flushed downstream where you
can then be picked up.

Uncle Larry almost drowned last year, he was under water for a long time

Uncle Larry may have thought he almost drowned but be skeptical when hearing
about the horror stories of past trips. As a guide for four years I’ve seen only two
individuals come close to drowning out of thousands that go each year. Ten
seconds under water can seem like an eternity, but in reality it is just enough time
to take a lick of an ice cream cone and remark how amazing it tastes.

It’s expensive

It’s hard to combat that one, but when you think about getting a hotel room,
alcohol, dinners and theme park passes the cost is a bit more justified. Many times
outfitters will have half-day trips for beginners while weeklong expeditions are also
offered for the more ambitious. Don’t spend the big bucks until you know rafting is
something you like to do. Rivers are everywhere and they aren’t drying up that
quickly either—minus discussing this topic with a hippie—so take your time and fall
in love with the water. Soon the money will be worth it because you will enjoy
taking the time to raft and experiencing remote canyons only visible by the water.

They make you paddle . . . . a lot

Well dugh! Ok not really, but yes rafting is a team sport. Most of the time if you
are in what is called a paddle boat—each guest has a paddle—then it’s going to be
up to you to get the boat through the rapids. The guides may seem like bad asses
but in reality if you don’t make the move they most likely won’t be able to
compensate. It’s one of the best parts of the trip because you actually did
something beyond strapping down a harness on a rollercoaster.

You could die

That’s a given. You can die doing just about anything but at least if you’re rafting
with a trained guide and a reputable company the odds are against meeting your
maker. Paddle hard, charge the rapids and have fun, it’s amazing how many times
the most hesitant person at the beginning of the day turns into the most
adventuress at the end of the run.

Most of all though take the time to go outside your comfort zone and push your
boundaries. Whitewater rafting takes a special type of individual but rule out a trip
just by a few unfinished questions. Most importantly call the outfitter with any
questions or concerns. Also feel free to talk to your guide in the morning before the
trip. Just remember though that they like to scare you a bit so don’t take everything
for face value.

Tim Shisler has been a river guide with Whitewater Excitement for the past four
seasons. He is currently working as a freelance outdoor adventure writer and
photographer. For more information on rafting several of California’s premier rivers
including the American River and Merced River go to http://www.whitewaterexcitement.com.

Sep. 27th 2005: MicroWorld Technologies, Inc., developer of
Information Technology, Content Security and Communications
Software announced the release of its eScan range of Anti-Virus
& Content Security software products in Italian & German
language.

Until now eScan was available for download in English & Spanish
languages. With MicroWorld increasing market share in the
European markets and to cater to the need of their products in
localized languages, MicroWorld has felt it necessary to have an
Italian & German versions for their existing range of software.
The release of eScan in Italian & German language has been
highly appreciated by its partners & resellers in Europe.

The following eScan range of products are available for download
in Italian & German language; eScan Virus Control Edition, eScan
Professional Edition, eScan Internet Security Suite, eScan
Corporate Edition, eScan Corporate for MailScan, eScan
Anti-Virus Edition, eScan Corporate for Citrix, and eScan
Enterprise for Microsoft SBS.

MicroWorld products are reliable and time tested and have been
awarded some of the most prestigious awards and certificates in
the internet security industry like VB 100%, Checkmark, People’s
Choice Security Award, Advanced CheckVir, 5 cows by TUCOWS, Best
Content Security and Antivirus Software -by VAR magazine to
mention a few.

About MicroWorld Technologies Inc.

MicroWorld (http://www.mwti.net) is the publisher of world’s
first real time antivirus and content security software eScan
and MailScan, for desktops, file servers, citrix servers, proxy
servers and Mail Servers. Working on revolutionary MicroWorld
Winsock Layer(MWL) technology, MicroWorld’s time tested and
reliable products have seen bestowed with certificates and
awards by some of the most prestigious testing bodies like Virus
Bulletin, Checkmark, TUCOWS, and Advanced CheckVir, Red Hat
Ready, Novell Ready etc.

MicroWorld is headquatered in Michigan with offices in Germany
and India and large number of partners worldwide.

For additional information please visit http://www.mwti.net or
write to sales@mwti.net

No one can truly say they know London well. To know London completely is impossible. London changes faster than pigeons descending into the fountains of Trafalgar Square. Home to inhabitants for over 2,000 years now London has grown from the protective circle of the Tower to a sprawling metropolis, the ideal platform for constant illustrious activity.

Always where there is history there are tales to tell. Tourists are naturally drawn to the regular tourist attractions, yet it is the true travellers that seek deeper to find the gems of a 2,000 year-old town. It only takes a very small amount of investigating to find something more rewarding, more interesting, more inspiring in London, than the London Dungeons (although it must be said – is a damn good laugh if you can bear the hour long queues!).

For instance, not even a minute’s walk from the London Dungeons is the Hay’s Galleria. This gem is for some totally bizarre reason hidden from all guidebooks and tourist information – no doubt to preserve its lack of thousands of tourists making it a less exclusive haven. Please go there! It’s a beautiful indoor/outdoor menagerie of a few select shops, with a vast concourse of cafes, market stalls, bands, presentations, and of course, it overlooks a beautiful part of the Thames.

Turn right from Hays Galleria and you find yourself in a Thames-side walkway next to the newest buildings in town. The architecture is phenomenal, and these lord-mayor buildings are still so new that you can imagine that the cellophane has just freshly been peeled off all the windows. You are welcome to enter the Lord Mayor’s building (it’s the one shaped like a golf ball), go to the top and marvel at the mind-boggling roundness of it all – plus of course see the spectacular views of the HMS Belfast, Tower Bridge & the Tower of London. Continue strolling directly into the I-Witness open-air gallery, before maybe snacking on a hot-dog in the mini-fairground.

Walk past the green that previously hosted many Hollywood film premieres in giant marquees, the David Blaine in-a-box episode, plus many other varied events, and you are literally underneath Tower Bridge, keep walking and you are now in Shad Thames, a true delight of traffic-free, cobbled streets full of people, giving you a precise feeling of how the London streets felt hundreds of years ago. It is as if these streets have been restored from long ago, thus delivering to the traveller a wonderfully rich blend of old and new in the same vicinity. Circle around Shad Thames, past the ever-changing Design-Museum, and find yourself in Butlers Wharf, a charming quay-side collection of bars & restaurants all overlooking the Thames opposite the equally picturesque St Katherine’s Dock. Trust me when I tell you that Butlers Wharf is the ultimate in romantic settings.

Hays Galleria to Butlers Wharf is one walk of quite possibly hundreds to choose from, in fact – that’s a whole day right there! There are equal delights even if you turned left out of Hay’s Galleria instead, especially the Clink Street Prison Museum, Vinopolis (Wine Museum), Borough Market, Southwark Cathedral, I could go on….

Great streets, great walks, great museums (forget the big-ones – go to the Children’s museum in Bethnal Green for a real treat). It is frustrating to think that the bulk of visitors to London wind up staying in some of the least interesting areas. Paddington & Bayswater are both great areas, being so close to Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens (now home to the finally-completed Princess Diana shrine). Kensington & Earls Court have their highlights too, but there is more to London than the tried and tested tourist routes.

I recently stayed in a five star hotel in the middle of the city on the weekend for less than one hundred pounds a night, and was amazed at exactly how completely empty the city of London was. I was in heaven! There I was in the middle of one of the oldest cities around, and I had it all to myself! City hotels are notorious for being completely empty on weekends, hence the great rates. I am sure tourists pay over the hundred pounds per night threshold to stay in ‘trendy’ Kensington etal, when they could easily stay next to Tower Bridge, St Paul’s, Millennium Bridge etc, for much less.

Needless to say that the City of London (the financial centre) is absolutely coloured with history, everywhere you go there are buildings proclaiming their 16^th century origins, and they are in abundance.

I was recently taken to what is supposedly one of the oldest London pubs in existence. Again, this pub is not only hidden from the guidebooks and the common information sources, it is also hidden from the public! I had to be taken there, as I would never have been able to find it unless accompanied. This pub is hidden from the world. It is sandwiched between two narrow streets and therefore completely obscured from any main thoroughfare. It has its own courtyard and as you stand supping a pint outside, it is as if you are in Victorian London.  Look down the misty streets and it is easy to conjure up an old bobby on the beat blowing his whistle, or Jack the Ripper lurking in the shadows. Oh - and there’s a 150 year old tree growing through the building, to add to the oddity of the pub.

Hampstead is another great area waiting to be discovered. Covered in green spaces, Hampstead (North London) is perfect for the idyllic setting combined with the close proximity to the big-smoke. Steeped in its own folklore, Hampstead was home to Dick Turpin (apparently he was born at the Spaniard’s Inn – hugely popular and famous pub on the Heath) of which his ghost still roams Kenwood house, and the surrounding woodlands. The high streets of Hampstead, Belsize Park, and the immaculately kept Primrose Hill are possibly the last untouched-by-commercialism streets in London (no Starbucks here!). If you want breath-taking views of the city, historical sites detailing the ‘first entry point into London’, combined with al-fresco dining, and an altogether more relaxed atmosphere, Hampstead is the place, and less than 15 minutes on the tube to the city centre! Now do you see why it seems frustrating that tourists stay in less desirable areas when they could stay in an altogether more inspiring location, just as close to all the major attractions?

Of course, Hampstead is one of London’s many beauty spots, yet the city is not all about beauty. As with any home to approximately 10 million people, varied activity is rife. London events cannot help but affect all, every Londoner has an opinion on the congestion zone, on the ill-fated Millennium Dome, on Tony Blair, in fact on any topic you care to mention. Start a conversation with any London black-cab driver – typically famous for their outspoken views, and you will find yourself immediately thrown into the debate of the day.

So, when visiting London do not even attempt to see it all – you cannot.

In a city where already this year a Roman road has been uncovered a mile below ground level dating back to 1 AD, and where Paddington workers uncovered Brunel’s first iron-bridge – one they didn’t know existed - London is forever creating wonders on a regular basis.

enq@VisitHotels.com

www.VisitHotels.com

MD of Hotel booking agency VisitHotels.com Previously in the travel industry for many years (Sales Manager of London hotels, and before that sailor of the seas on many an international cruise). Love to write, love to travel, love to exchange travelling experiences.

Backpacking is a great way to escape the rat race and be one with nature. Alas, your backpacking experiences can fade with time. The best way to prevent this is to keep a backpacking journal for your adventures.

Backpacking Journals

Take a minute to give some consideration to your most recent backpacking experience. What sticks out in your mind? Now think about the first time you ever went backpacking. Undoubtedly, you remember few things about the geography, people you went with, particular backpacking routes and spectacular views. The experiences you’ve forgotten are lost to time. If you had kept a backpacking journal, this won’t be the case.

There are famous instances of people keeping journals throughout time. Of course, Anne Frank’s Diary is the best example. In her diary, Anne kept a running commentary of the two years her family spent hiding from the Nazis. While your backpacking experiences better be more lighthearted, keeping a journal will let you remember them as the years pass.

A good backpacking journal combines a number of characteristics. First, it should be compact so you don’t have to take up unnecessary space for other things. Second, it should have a case to protect it from rain, spills and so on. Third, the journal should contain blank areas to write your notes. Fourth, the journal should contain cue spaces to remind you to keep notes on specific things. Cues should include:

1. Who you went backpacking with,

2. Where you backpacked and if you enjoyed it,

3. Who you met and contact information for them,

4. The geographic and weather conditions,

5. Routes you tried and how far you made it, and

6. Any unique things that occurred while backpacking.

At the end of the trip, you should be able to get the following from your journal:

1. Contact information for other backpackers and people you met,

2. Enough detail to provide you or a friend with a guide if you backpack the location a second time.

3. Memories to reflect upon years later, and

4. Something to pass on to your friends, children and grandchildren.

To get the most out of your backpacking journal, you should write in it during backpacking breaks or immediately after. Every trip is special, even if you just go out for a weekend.

Backpacking is a great way to commune with nature. Make sure to preserve the experience.

Rick Chapo is with NomadJournals.com - makers of diary and writing journals for backpacking. Visit NomadJournalTrips.com to read more articles about backpacking and the great outdoors.

The Daintree Rainforest in the far north of Queensland in Australia is a premier tour destination for anyone seeking the unspoilt natural splendour of a vast, ancient forest basking in a beautiful tropical climate.

The striking landscape of the Daintree region is rich and diverse, and includes spectacular scenery, mountain ranges, fast flowing streams and waterfalls, deep gorges and dense rainforest. The Daintree’s outstanding coastal scenery includes an unusual combination of tropical rainforest, white sandy beaches and offshore reefs. The Daintree is the largest tropical rainforest in Australia, and covers an area of approximately 1,200 square kilometres in North Queensland. It stretches from the Daintree River north to Cooktown and west to the Great Dividing Range, and is one of the most complex tropical rainforest ecosystems on earth. Its structural complexity and the diversity of its flora is unrivalled on the Australian continent.

The Daintree’s vegetation is among the most diverse in Australia. 13 different types of rainforest have been identified, from the tall forests of the coastal plains with massive curling liana growth and exotic buttress roots, through to the middle altitude forests with characteristic small-leafed species, and the montane forests with areas of heath-like vegetation that crown the mountain tops. The mangrove forests which line the mouth of the Daintree’s creeks and rivers have the highest species diversity for this habitat type in Australia. The wet tropical rainforests of North-East Queensland contain the richest variety of fauna found in Australia. While representing only 0.1% of the Australia landmass, the region is home to 65% of Australia’s bat and butterfly species, 30% of the frog, marsupial and reptile species, and 20% of the bird species.

Australia was much warmer and wetter many millions of years ago, and rainforests thrived as far inland as Ayers Rock. As the continent became more arid, these rainforests were gradually replaced by dry woodlands, grasslands and deserts in many parts of the continent. In the Daintree region, however, the climate and topography remained ideal for rainforests and so the area became a last refuge for Australia’s original rainforests. Within this refuge many species continued to survive without the need to adapt to new conditions. The descendants of these species still survive today in the Daintree and retain many of their ancestors’ original characteristics, some dating back more than 100 million years.

One species, commonly known as the Idiot Fruit (Idiospermum australiense), is among the rarest and most primitive flowering plants on earth. Discovered in 1970, it was possibly Australia’s most significant botanical find as it clearly demonstrated how ancient the Daintree Rainforests actually are. Of a total of 19 primitive flowering plant families remaining on the planet, 12 are found in the Daintree region, representing the highest concentration of such plants worldwide. These ancient plants could provides answers to questions about the origins of flowering plants in general.

The Daintree Forest area is undoubtedly of enormous intrinsic value and it is therefore important that visitors cooperate in its preservation. The disturbance of plant and animal life should be kept to a minimum. Avoid short cuts through the forest as the resulting trails can cause erosion and die-back. Use elevated boardwalks where ever provided. Of course, don’t pick flowers, take cuttings or collect rainforest seeds … please leave these magical forests just as you found them. Don’t forget the golden rule: Leave nothing but footsteps, take nothing but photographs!

Anyone travelling in north-eastern Australia to destinations such as Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef should definitely consider a visit to the magnificent Daintree Rainforest. Few forests on earth share the climate, diversity, beauty, ancient heritage and sheer size of the Daintree. A must for adventure and eco tourists!

Miguel Scaccialupo writes regularly on Australian tour topics such as Great Barrier Reef Tours and Daintree Tours.

If you’re tired of hiking the same trail or picnicking at the same park, then Geocaching may be exactly what you’re looking for. Geocaching, pronounced gee-o-cashing, is the high tech version of a treasure hunt. Armed with nothing but a handheld GPS unit and a thirst for excitement, you’re off for new adventures and the likelihood of finding a hidden cache.

Here’s how it works. Geocachers seek out hidden treasures utilizing GPS coordinates posted on the Internet by those hiding the cache. So to geocache, you’ll need a handheld GPS receiver. GPS, which stands for Global Positioning System, is the only system today able to show you your exact position on the Earth anytime, in any weather, anywhere. GPS satellites, 24 in all, orbit at over 11,000 miles above the Earth. The satellites transmit signals that can be detected by anyone with a GPS receiver. Using the receiver, you can determine your location with great precision. But just as important, you’ll be able to locate other things too, such as a geocache. There are a variety of GPS receiver models to choose from starting at about $100.

Once you’ve got a GPS unit, you’ll need to know where the caches are hidden (hint: they’re everywhere). When a cache is hidden, the cache’s coordinates are submitted to a website for all to see (www.geocaching.com). Enter the coordinates into your GPS and you’re ready to go. Did I mention there are more than 100,000 caches in over 200 countries?

Sounds easy, doesn’t it? Armed with a GPS and the coordinates, how tough can it be? In an urban area, easy access is typically available in the way of roads and trails. But what about on a mountain? What if there aren’t roads nearby? It’s entirely possible to be a few hundred feet from something and not be able to reach it (across a river or two hundred feet below the cliff you’re on are good examples). After you try to find a few caches, you’ll understand a number of the nuances of actually finding the cache. That’s the fun part. Once you find the cache, there are a couple of simple rules. Sign the logbook and if you take something from the cache, be sure to leave something.

But what about placing a cache? That’s fun too. Just be sure to follow the rules as outlined at www.geocaching.com. Once you’re a seasoned geocacher, you’ll try your hand at travel bugs, geo-teaming and benchmark hunting.

If you have only a couple hours to search for a cache, try to find one that is close by. If you have a couple days, take a family trip and make an overnight adventure out of it. Using your GPS along with your sense of adventure, you are bound to spend more time out of doors with people you enjoy. What could be better?

Use this information and you’ll Get It Right The First Time. Get Outdoors!

Chuck Fitzgerald, The Outdoor Guy, is the owner of Arizona based BackCountry Toys, an online outdoor gear store. To get maximum enjoyment out of your Outdoor Life, visit www.BackCountryToys.com where you’ll find great gear and the Fact & Tips e-newsletter, “FreshAir.” (800) 316-9055.

Seek.UK launches a Finance forum!

London (Seek UK) January 16, 2006 - Seek, one of UK’s leading
financial directories has launched its Finance forum
http://forum.seek.uk.com

The Seek finance forum is a platform that gives netizens an
opportunity to exchange ideas, thoughts and opinions on various
matters related to finance. Whether you have a particular belief
about a certain financial issue or have had a personal
experience that you would like to share with others, then Seek
Finance forum is the right place to visit.

This forum not only gives you a medium to give voice to your
opinions but also gives you an opportunity to Seek expert advice
from financial advisers. You can post your queries on the forum
for which you will receive expert answers from the forum’s
moderators.

So, if you have any doubts related to any monetary subject be it
Credit Cards, Loans, Mortgages, Investments, Pensions, Taxes or
any other Finance related matters, then you can voice it on the
Seek forum.

Besides all this, the Seek forum features a number of Articles
and Press Releases with the intention of keeping you updated
with the latest developments in the finance world.

What’s more, the Seek finance Forum also provides you with a
list of major financial companies that deal with a myriad of
financial services.

The Seek forum is completely free of charge. You don’t have to
pay a single penny and you can get heard throughout the net zone.

For additional information on the news that is the subject of
this release (or for a sample, copy or demo), contact Webmaster
or visit http://www.seek.uk.com/articles.html You can also place
in your feedbacks related to the above topic on the web address
given above.

About Seek.UK.com UK Finance directory seek.uk helps you to find
wide range of finance services including secured unsecured
loans, mortgages, re-mortgages, insurance, credit cards, life &
pension, investments, finance advice and business services in UK.

Contact:

Webmaster, SEEK UK 0808-160-2576 http://forum.seek.uk.com