Snowboarders take lessons in ecology

Hermon Snowboarders
Originally uploaded by jonathankess.

This is a great article on the Swiss helping out the environment with WWF. Backcountry skiing or snowboarding has a smaller impact on the environment than snowboarding in ski resorts.

Check out the full article at Swiss Info

Fasnacht Basel

Fasnacht 2002
Originally uploaded by veersoonformarmalade.

Fasnacht

Tis that time of the year for the best party around. If you have never seen Fasnacht or Carnival in Switzerland, it is a must see. I've had the pleasure of seeing it in many different cities. The funniest thing is that it you can party in one Fasnacht one week and then jet off to the next village for the next Carnival/Fasnacht.

Here's a short blurb about what happens in Basel - according to everyone, by far the best! I used to live in Basel so yes I've gotten to see this great spectacle.

Fasnacht is like one big family party for the whole of Basel, although guests are obviously more than welcome. It has to be said that our carnival, whose origins are deeply rooted in local tradition, does not give visitors much of an opportunity for active participation in the proceedings.

And there are bound to be many things you simply will not understand: our Basel dialect, the things we make fun of (usually local events and personalities), and our own special brand of humour with its strong irony. Even so, you are sure to be fascinated by the incredible party atmosphere, the vivid colours of the carnival costumes, the stirring tunes of the drummers and piccolo players, and the weird and wonderful «Guggen» music played by the brass bands.

Perhaps you will simply enjoy wandering around our city's lively streets, alleys, bars and restaurants, absorbing this unique mixture of celebration and melancholia, and the haunting enactment of mediaeval ritual: the dance of death (Totentanz) and the masquerade (Mummenschanz). The best way to enjoy things is simply to wander around the streets and go with the flow. And a final tip: don't take our humour too seriously...

5 Affordable World Travel Destinations

Who would have thought some of these popular travel destinations would also be affordable!
I decided to post an article as well...
http://ezinearticles.com/?Five-Affordable-World-Travel-Destinations&id=8657

Locations
That Offer More But Cost Less

So you want to travel the world but you have a tight
budget? Are you tired of reading
about everyone else�s exotic adventures and ready to have some of your own?
Have you always wanted to take an international vacation but thought you
couldn�t afford it? There are
numerous travel destinations across the world that are both exciting and
affordable. Five of them are
described here to give you ideas and get you started planning your own getaway.

There are two ways to approach affordable vacations to
distant destinations. Either you
will save money getting there or the savings will occur once you arrive at your
selected spot. If you want the trip
there to be affordable, many travel consolidators recommend choosing well-known
destinations that are served by numerous airlines and receive millions of
travelers each year. The
competition for customers usually drives costs down for everything from lodging
to tour packages. Airfares between
major hubs tend to be more affordable and there are often plenty of discounts
and last minute travel deals.

London

In Europe, London is a top pick for affordable vacation
destinations, for these exact reasons. Not
only do you have more flights to choose from, they are cheaper than if you flew
to a more remote location. On
average, staying in London may be a bit more expensive than other European
destinations, but the seemingly endless choices in hotels, restaurants,
transportation, tours, and other travel essentials gives travels opportunities
to mold their vacation to fit their budgets.
And you can use London as your home base to set out on day trips to other
more exotic locations or buy a Eurorail pass and see those more remote countries
without the expense of flying there.

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

This theory also works well for traveling in the Caribbean.
Belize is an appealing destination, with wonderful Caribbean beaches and
a lush tropic setting, but since it has only recently emerged as a popular
travel destination, it is more expensive than Cancun, Jamaica or other
well-traveled locations along the Mayan Riviera.
With fewer flights, getting there is more expensive, and there are few
moderate lodging options. Development
of larger luxury resorts have begun to boom, but the only real alternative for
those on a budget is staying in local facilities that may be hard to locate from
home and may be more rustic than most travelers are willing to try.

Although there are many options for affordable vacations in
the Caribbean, an excellent pick is Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
Accessible via flights to Cancun, which are often some of the cheapest in
the region, Playa is just a half hour away.
It is filled with a multitude of lodging choices, from expansive luxury
resorts on the ocean to quaint but clean hotels downtown.
From Playa, travelers can branch out and visit Tulum and other locations
on the Mayan Riviera or take the ferry across to the island of Cozumel where
snorkeling is prime and the attractions are many.

For Asian destinations, travelers often do better to focus
on saving money once they get to their destination. Depending on your country of origin, getting to just about
any spot in Asia is going to be a sizable chunk of your travel budget.
The difference will come from the cost of lodging, food, entertainment
and other travel expenditures once you arrive.
By choosing destinations where you get the most for your money, you can
save a great deal on your international vacation.
A drink or dinner in Tokyo will costs you many times more than what it
would in Saigon. The key here is to
go where you dollars buy you more and where the local cost of living is low.

Tioman Island

An affordable yet
exotic choice for Asia is Malaysia and specifically Tioman Island, knows as the mythical
'Bali Hai' from the film 'South Pacific.�
Tioman Island is located at the southern end of the east coast of
Malaysia on the South China Sea. It�s sandy beaches, bordered by lush jungles
and stunning mountains make it a relaxing yet intriguing destination, ideal for
sun lovers, snorkelers and divers. The
island also has many villages for exploring and shopping.
English is widely spoken and the
rates are amazingly affordable, with a two night lodging package for a suite at
a lovely oceanside resort averaging around 100 U.S. dollars. Typically visitors reach the island via the speed ferry from
the mainland. Although the trip can
take over two hours, it is enjoyable and provides opportunities for dolphin
watching along the way.

Buenos Aires

South American also
has many destinations that are affordable because of the savings once you
arrive. Locales like Rio
de Janeiro in Brazil, the areas top destination, are coming down in price but
are still more expensive than cities such as Buenos Aires in Argentina, where
the rates are lower and the U.S. dollar goes further.

A huge metropolis that is more
European than South American, the city has much to offer including cultural
events, thriving nightlife, shopping, local sports, and a host of tours and
excursions. La Boca, with its
street performers, shops, and unique architecture is a big tourist draw.
The large number of choices for lodging, restaurants, and activities
provides opportunities for budget travel and savings.
Airfare to the city is relatively reasonable for an international
destination, with discount fares from the U.S. averaging around $500 round trip. Buenos Aires might not be one of the most exotic or inspiring
destinations in South America, but it is a city that everyone should see at
least once, and with some of the most affordable rates and fares around, it
makes the list as a top South American destination.

Las
Vegas

The list would not be complete
without a North American destination, and the champ of all affordable locales is
Las Vegas. It too is a city that
should be seen at least once, and many world travelers return again and again
for the gaming, art, shows and people watching that just can�t be found
anywhere else. Close enough to
other top U.S. attractions like the Grand Canyon, Vegas provides other options
for those who have had their fill of casinos.

The city has long been known for its
cheap vacation packages with hotels and resorts that offer discount rates for
rooms, meals and entertainment in hopes of attracting people to their gaming
tables. Airfare rates into Vegas
are some of the most reasonable in the United States, no matter the origination
destination. And with more than
100,000 hotel rooms to choose from, there is sure to be a lodging choice that
fits your budget.

The world provides hundreds of affordable travel
destinations. With all the options
available, there is no excuse to put off that life-long desire to travel to
exotic places at the far ends of the earth.
Destinations can be researched on the Internet or your travel
consolidator can make recommendations and help with locating discount
flights and hotel deals that fit your budget. So
what are you waiting for? Get out
there and explore the world.

About
the Author

C.J. Gustafson is a freelance
writer and photographer who travels extensively for work and family
vacations. A cheapskate by nature and necessity, she is always on the
lookout for bargain travel deals and affordable vacation destinations.

Upper Hills of Montreux

DSCF0016
Originally uploaded by thnkfst.

Walking along one of the many little roads in the upper hills of Montreux, I came upon this lovely homestead.

While living in the Montreux Region, I used to take walks to seek out views of the city and Lac Leman. Following a map or the regional train can help you find your way in the region.

If you feel like using the city train, make sure you are on tracks 5 or higher. The first tracks 1,2,3 take you out of the city of Montreux. Take the stop off at Chernex or Chamby. From there, the walking is incredible on a nice sunny day. You might find a treasure or two like did right here.

Here's a bit of a walk that I remember. Starting from the Montreux Train Station. Follow from Avenue de Belmont to the stairs leading from Route des Collondalles to Chemin de la Caldrez to Route de l'Azillere (which should pass under the highway) and following near the Route de Chernex. Route des deux fontaines to Chemin de Blanc follow to smaller roads in this area. Chemin des Bignieres to Chemin de Sollard. This should not have many houses on it and should be very peaceful. The views of all of the Lake can also be seen here. Sit down on a few benches along the way and enjoy the views!

Route de Certaillion

Here's a mapped out version. At least you can get an idea of the walk.

1.	Head east on Place de la Paix toward Rue de l'Eglise Catholique		9 m
2.	Continue onto Rue de la Paix		0.1 km
3.	Slight left at Avenue des Alpes Go through 1 roundabout		0.6 km
4.	Turn right at Rue du Ctre		85 m
5.	Turn right to stay on Rue du Ctre		0.1 km
6.	Turn left at Avenue de Belmont		65 m
7.	Turn right at Sentier de Joliment		91 m
8.	Slight right at Rue de l'Ancien Stand		12 m
9.	Turn left at Route des Colondalles		0.2 km
10.	Turn right at Sentier des Vaux de Chernex		0.1 km
11.	Slight right at Chemin de Rossillon		11 m
12.	Turn left at Sentier des Vaux de Chernex		68 m
13.	Turn left at Chemin de la Caudraz		77 m

1.6 km – about 23 mins

Chemin de la Caudraz 1820 Montreux, Switzerland

14.	Head east on Chemin de la Caudraz toward Sentier des Vaux de Chernex		0.1 km
15.	Turn left at Sentier des Vaux de Chernex		0.2 km
16.	Turn left at Chemin sous Villaz		0.2 km
17.	Turn right at Rue des Deux Fontaines		32 m
18.	Turn left at Rue du Vieux Four		88 m
19.	Slight right at Chemin de Cauvent		82 m
20.	Continue onto Chemin de Chamby		0.5 km
21.	Turn right at Route de Chaulin		36 m

1.3 km – about 21 mins

Chamby Montreux, Switzerland

Montreux's Beauty

DSCF0117
Originally uploaded by thnkfst.

This was the view from my place I got to see every morning. Can't blame the Swiss for loving their country with a spectacular view like that!

Views from Chateau Chatelard which are near the part of Belmont Sur Montreux on the train route, will give you this same amazing view. It's a good 30 min walk from the train station.

Grindelwald Sledding

Pure Beauty - A sledge ride with a 15km stretch from the Faulhorn peak (2,681m) down to Grindelwald (1,050m) near Interlaken. They actually led parts of The Amazing Race here in Grindlewald. You can also see more about the city of Grindlewald.

Charles Gettin Hitched

Well the news is in...

Leading politicians and church figures in Scotland have congratulated Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles on news of their wedding plan. I'm not so sure if I ever thought they would get married but times tells this saga.
Read all about it here.


And some rather crazy stuff...

Who knew you would be stabbed shopping.

But one unlucky person at the grand opening of the new IKEA store in London had that misfortune just after midnight. Appparently some special deals on $65 sofas sprung of the stampede which led to this bad news...

Funny Commercials

Quite the funny commercial of the Superbowl

Godaddy.com


Dutch Copy Commercial
Ok - Since I don't have the capabilities yet of actually putting this on my blog, I figured I'd just link to it from somewhere else for now.

Damn funny!

copy commerical

Swiss Chocolate

There isn't a day that goes by that I can't stop thinking about Switzerland. It's hard to explain but it's just the place that I feel most at peace and in complete serenity.

Thinking about Switzerland makes me think about their great chocolate.

Although harder to come by, that dark chocolate is so good for your health too..

Swiss chocolate sales increased by more than nine per cent to SFr1.4 billion ($1.1 billion) in 2004.Link

Improving..

Well,

Today I stumpled upon a great concept from a blog I found. Why not try to improve something you really need to make an improvement at. I know the downfall or real reason why people don't try to start improving at something is exactly just because they are too shy or scared to start.

Let's take myself for example. I really want and need to improve on my French. Well it would help me with my travels for one thing and since I usually understand what people are saying, it would be much more pleasurable on my part to answer back in French instead of English.

Now the next step would be for me to say a few things in French, but the shyness factor is setting in right now. We will see what happens...

Maybe it will come in time.

That's not to say that I've got a few other things to improve at as well.

I can't wait until I am on a PC by the way so I can upload some beautiful pictures..

Patience...

Until next time..

What to say..

Well this is my first post.

I feel so funny doing this because I feel like I'm completely lost with something that I have been reading about for about 6 months now. AND...well I'm finally trying it..

Anyhow, I feel like a complete dumb ass because I'm using an editor and am so not used to that compared to plotting down a few html codes and popping out another page in my websites.

Well I did find out there are a heck of a lot of blogs out there on the Internet. Too many to list but so much to entertain oneself with. Maybe I'll try to post a few great ones here and there.

I also found out that I wanted to load up a few cool pics and well I will have to go back to the good old PC to do that sort of thing. It will have to wait till the weekend for now. I'm too attached to my MAC...

I just wanted to share with you a great new program that I found, but will have to figure out how to post it later on..

Archives

I'm attempting to move my archives, however the blogger script can't be used.

If you'd like to look at the archives, you just come to this page to see them all.

Starting with the first month I started this blog : February 2005, March 2005, April 2005, May 2005, June 2005, July 2005, August 2005, September 2005, October 2005, November 2005, December 2005

January 2006, February 2006, March 2006, April 2006, May 2006, June 2006, July 2006, August 2006, September 2006, October 2006, November 2006, December 2006

January 2007, February 2007, March 2007, April 2007, May 2007, June 2007, July 2007, August 2007, September 2007, October 2007, November 2007, December 2007,

January 2008, February 2008, March 2008, April 2008, May 2008, June 2008, July 2008, August 2008, September 2008, October 2008, November 2008, December 2008,

More to follow in time...

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