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| One Month in South America Jan 10th 2012, 15:17 A common question I was asked as a travel agent was what to see and do in South America with limited time. More and more Aussies are heading over to Latin America thanks to cheaper flights and the promise of a great and different experience. But what can you actually see and experience in a month? Is it worthwhile? Many people are hitting South America as part of their Uni break over Christmas, or you might just be finally using up some well deserved annual leave. For those just starting to plan your trip you will probably be keen to see the major attractions like the Inca trail in Peru, the Galapagos islands in Ecuador, Rio or Buenos Ares, the Amazon and more. So where to start? The first thing to keep in mind is the size of the place and the often difficult and unreliable local transport (made harder to negotiate with the language barrier). While seeing heaps of places in a short time in Europe is easy, Brazil on its own is bigger than Australia. Getting around can be a hassle to say the least, but not impossible for a short trip. While difficult to generalize there are basically two popular routes/regions of the continent that are fairly easily trodden in a short space of time. Both so called ‘Gringo trails’ can be fairly easily traversed on your own or with an organized tour. A month in South America might look like this: Route 1 * Fly from Australia, via a short stop in New Zealand to Santiago Chile. If arriving in Santiago Qantas or Lan Chile will have the better flights/connections. For any travel around peak times like Christmas you have to book at least 6-8 months in advance to avoid paying close to $3000 return (you can snag tickets swell under $2000inc tax if you book early or go out of peak season). * From Chile you can get a connection on the same day to Quito, Ecuador. After a few days seeing the sights around Quito you can hop a short flight to the Galapagos Islands for a cruise around the Islands. * Back to Quito take a flight to Lima. Spend a day or two, then a short one hour (and scenic flight) through the Andes to Cusco, the jump off point for the hike to the Inca trail (try to avoid the 24 hour bus ride from Lima – Cuzco, its a terrible ride). Keep in mind permits for the Inca trail have to be booked through a tour group (in Australia or direct in South America) at least 6 months in advance to be assured a spot on the trail. Also remember that acclimatising to the altitude in Cuzco can take a few days and is recommended before any serious hiking. So no rush! * After seeing the ruins around Cusco many people will head to Iquitos in the Peruvian Amazon (another short flight). From there you can trek into the jungle from an ‘eco’ lodge. * Back to Cuzco from the jungle and then into Bolivia to see the capital La Paz, and the Salar De Uni Salt flats. * All of this is a fair bit of travel and the month will almost be done. Trying to tack Brazil and Argentina into the same trip is probably a bit much, and better done separately if you only have a few weeks. Almost this exact route can be done through any major tour group in Australia (and will typically be one or two tours tacked together, lasting a month or so in total). It’s easy enough to book or travel on your own, just be aware that permits for the Inca trail and the Galapagos need to be arranged well in advance. Route 2 * Start with a flight into Buenos Ares, Argentina. Aerolineas Argentina have the best connections if you plan to start here (and a horrendous reputation with flyers). Lan Chile will also get you here, check for specials. * Taking your time in Argentina is easy, the transport is pretty good and there’s plenty to see and do. A language course maybe? Dancing lessons, a football game, and the best steak houses in the world, the list goes on. * From Beunos Ares it’s easy to get to Brazil. The bus route, which takes in the famous Foz de Igazu waterfalls, is probably the best serviced on the continent. Overnight buses with isle service and fold down seats are available, and make the trip easy (of course you can fly, but internal flights can be super expensive). * From the water falls you can then make your way up to Rio via some time in Sao Paulo. Any time in Brazil is a good time, though if you want to head over for carnival keep in mind prices for flights, transport and accommodation skyrocket. A trip in February needs to be well planned. * Another festival you can check out in Brazil is Boi Bumba, held in the jungle its every bit as full on as Rio’s carnival. * So for a typical uni break that might end up in Rio for carnival think about booking your tickets in March the previous year if you can (this could mean thousands of dollars saved). If it’s your first time away doing a tour on the first route might be more comfortable option, while the second route is by far the easier choice when it comes to ease of travel (straight forward enough for everybody). The flight over and back to South America is a killer, so rushing around from day one might make the whole trip an exercise in exhaustion rather than the experience you were after. It’s easier to stick to a few attractions/areas and take your time. Choosing one of these two routes might be the go rather than hitting every country mentioned in a few weeks. From personal experience after 6 months in South America Peru and Bolivia were highlights on the sightseeing front, while for pure fun Brazil is the place to be. Safe travels! | |
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| Simplicity Strive Reviews | | |
| Dell Inspiron 15RN i15RN-7059DBK 15.6-Inch Laptop (Black) Jan 10th 2012, 14:42 
- Intel Core i3-2330M Processor (Dual-Core, 2.2GHz, 3MB Cache)
- 4GB RAM, DDR3, 1333MHz, 1 DIMM (Max Memory – 2 DIMM, up to 8GB)
- 500GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive; 8X CD/DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive) Tray-Load
- 15.6″ High Definition (720p) WLED Display with TrueLife; Integrated Intel HD Graphics 3000
- Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
Introducing the new Inspiron 15R laptop. With a 15.6-inch display, 2nd Gen Intel Core processors and optional switchable lid designs, you get the look you want and the performance you need Wrapped in curvy edges and smooth lines, the Dell Inspiron i15RN (model i15RN-7059DBK) seamlessly travels by your side without getting in your way. It features a 15.6-inch high-definition display and it weighs less than 6 pounds. The full-size, ergonomically designed keyboard gives your fingers plenty of space List Price: $ 599.99 Price: | |
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| WorkieStuff Travel Guides | | |
| Fun Vacation Ideas – 6 Cool Tunnels to Check Out When Planning a Road Trip Jan 10th 2012, 15:14 Whether you are thinking about just a weekend getaway or a 2-week marathon vacation or road trip, there are many fun vacation ideas if you do a little research. I really love tunnels and thinking about all the work and engineering that goes into them, some are truly amazing. I just find them very interesting in general, and I’ve put together a few ideas of where you can see some pretty cool tunnels if you happen to be traveling nearby. 1. The Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel in Virginia is 3-1/2 miles long and is the crossing for Interstate 64. It is an engineering milestone as it was actually the first underwater tunnel connected to man-made islands. I used to travel this tunnel with my parents when I was a small child. It was kind of scary to think of being surrounded by water like that. 2. The Eisenhower Memorial Tunnel is west of Denver, Colorado, on Interstate 70. It is the highest vehicular tunnel in the world at 11,013 feet at the East Portal and 11,158 feet at the West Portal. 3. The Green River Tunnel in Wyoming is not an extremely long tunnel but wow, it is an amazing sight comparing the size of the road to the sheer huge size of the mountain it goes through. The road just looks insignificant in comparison. 4. The Chesapeake Bay-Bridge Tunnel in Virginia was selected as one of the seven engineering wonders of the modern world soon after its opening. Total length including approach roads is 23 miles. 5. At the Zion National Park in Utah you can find the Zion-Mt. Carmel tunnel which is at the east entrance to the park. As the road tunnels through the sheer stone and rock of the canyon wall, you can get a glimpse of the breathtaking views through windows carved into the mountainside. Amazing tunnel. 6. Wawona Tunnel in Yosemite National Park. At the end you emerge to see the Yosemite Valley, a view that is truly stunning. | |
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| Transcend 8 GB Class SDHC 10 Flash Memory Card TS8GSDHC10E Jan 10th 2012, 14:57 
- Compatible with all SDHC-labeled host devices (not compatible with standard SD)
- RoHS compliant
- Easy to use, plug-and-play operation
- Fully compatible with SD 3.0 Standards
As high-tech gadgets become increasingly advanced with ever-improving video and audio quality, we find ourselves needing extra speed and memory capacity to store our high-resolution digital masterpieces. List Price: $ 9.99 Price: | |
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| nessundormas Orthodontics | | |
| The Importance of Dental Marketing Helpers in Orthodontics Jan 10th 2012, 14:56 The popularity of dental helpers within the field of orthodontics is increasing day by day. As more and more people, including adults and children are seeking professional dental health care, the demand for orthodontists is on a rise. Also, new technologies are being introduced for various dental procedures. The duties of a dental marketing assistant usually include sterilizing the equipment and helping hygienists as well as dentists. During different dental treatments, they are usually required to be there and to hand the required tools to the working staff. Sometimes, they also help during lab work. Most of the time, dental marketing assistants have to do work inside the mouth of the patient. They often have to replace rubber bands, fix the wires and tighten loose brackets. Working on the spot is an aspect of the work that most dentist assistants enjoy. The normal duration of using braces is two years or more. Dentist Marketing assistants enjoy watching the patient improve gradually. Doing practical work in the orthodontic field is not usually taught in dental assistant courses. Most of the time, these courses provide the students only with a basic understanding of dental health care. It is very much the norm for a dental marketing assistant to get the actual training on the workplace. Usually, they learn by watching someone perform a procedure first, and then performing the same procedure themselves on the patient. This method does not go well with some assistants as they are not used to doing the work themselves. For others, it is a great idea and they embark on the work with enthusiasm. Most orthodontic clinics have developed a new system for performing dental procedures efficiently. Different dental marketing assistants are assigned various parts of a dental procedure. All patients suffering from the same ailment are assigned the same consultation time. Initially, when they arrive, the orthodontist reviews their development and documents it in the form of a chart or graph in a file. Dental marketing assistants come and study these files. Some of them take X-Rays; others tighten wires and replace rubber bands. Some others change brackets and remove excess cement deposited on teeth. Some dental marketing assistants are responsible for preparing the molds for retainers and removing the patient’s braces. When the dental assistants have performed the required procedure, they again visit the orthodontist. He/she rates the work done by the dentist, remarks on the improvement and schedules the next appointment. In this way, a large number of patients can be treated efficiently and quickly. The array of dental marketing assistants doing various jobs can be compared to a colony of worker ants, all doing different things to do a main job. Using this system, a large number of patients can be treated daily. This results in a lowered cost of dental health care. Patients are seen by a large number of dental assistants. Most dental marketing assistants like the interaction with patients and the satisfaction they get from treating individuals who are suffering from various oral diseases. | |
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| Simplicity Strive Reviews | | |
| Pyle – Mini 2x75W Stereo Power Amplifier – PCA3 Jan 10th 2012, 15:50 
- 2x75W MAX Power
- BLUE LED output level display
- POWER ON/OFF switch and LED indicator
- MP3 Via 3.5mm To RCA Converter
- RCA jack input
The PCA3 mini stereo power amplifier from Pyle provides up to 75W of power on each channel at 4 Ohms. Connect your inputs using the RCA jacks, and output an amplified audio signal over standard speaker push jacks. It’s compatible with any audio or computer device–you can even hook up an iPod using a 3.5mm to RCA jack converter. A master volume control on the front lets you adjust the gain, and treble, bass, and volume controls on the front let you tweak your sound to exactly how you want it. List Price: $ 151.99 Price: | |
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| Simplicity Strive Reviews | | |
| HDE 7″ Tablet Stand with USB Keyboard – Black Faux Leather Carrying Case Reviews Jan 10th 2012, 17:39 
- Leather Carrying Case comes equipped with full working keyboard, a stylus, pockets to hold up to …
- Connects to your 7″ tablet via USB 2.0
- Durable leather construction with secure magnetic closure
- Real laptop style keys
- Product Dimensions: 9.0 x 5.75 x 1.0 inches. Recommended for use with 7″ tablet dimensions up…
This black leather case with laptop-style keyboard is the perfect accessory for 7″ tablets. This protective cover is multi-functional and lets you type just as you would with your laptop/netbook. This case is equipped with a full working keyboard, a stylus, pockets to hold up to 2 styluses, USB cable, and an extendable stand. Just plug the USB 2.0 cable, attached to the keyboard, right into your tablet and you’re all set! Product Dimensions: 9.0 x 5.75 x 1.0 inches. Recommended for use with List Price: $ 39.99 Price: | |
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| Samsung S23A300B 23-Inch Class LED Monitor – Black Reviews Jan 10th 2012, 18:13 
- Ultra-Slim Design
- Breakthrough Picture Quality with LED Technology
- Save up to 40% Energy
- Perfect from Every Angle with Samsung MagicAngle
- Fast Response Time
Samsung’s LED Backlighting technology found in the SA300 Series provides unmatched crystal-clear picture quality no matter which angle you look at it. Impressive energy efficient features like Eco Saving allow you to control how much energy the monitor consumes through an easy-to-use interface, and the benefits don’t stop there. The SA300 contains all of the key features that you would expect from a premium LED Monitor. Experience an ultra-slim profile, a clean, elegant design, and the unique Ma List Price: $ 229.99 Price: More LED Monitor Products | |
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| Top Ten Majestic Places to Visit in Asia Jan 10th 2012, 17:46 Asia is probably one of the most enigmatic continents in the world. Not only is it rich in very diverse cultures, but it is also rich in history. You will never run out of wonderful places to visit in this wonderful and mysterious continent. 1.) Indonessia’s Breathtaking Bali Bali is one of the very beautiful places to go to once you are in Indonesia. Do not miss out on Batubulan Village, famous for sculptures made out of fine stone. Get to enjoy Bali’s culture like the Barong Dance and enjoy the beautiful crafts of its goldsmiths and silversmiths. 2.) Exotic India If India is in your Asia tour itinerary, then you will never regret it if you went on one of those boat rides in the Ganges River. Get to see, too, the devout citizens of India while they pray and bathe on the sacred waters of the Ghats. If you want to see their temples, then the Khajuraho Temples is for you, an architectural wonder 3.) The Wonderful Side of Pakistan Pakistan, although an intimidating country, has a lot of sceneries that tourists will love. Get to see a majestic view of the Himalayan Mountains and the Monkial Ranges. If you want to know more about Pakistan’s culture and people, then the Swat Museum is a must place for you to visit. 4.) Buddhas of Bangkok There are a lot of statues of Buddha that you can see in Bangkok, and one of the temples tourist flock to is the Reclining Buddha Temple. You must also visit the Erawan Shrine as well as the Snake Farm of Bangkok that is located near the shrine. For a more modern tour, visit the Safari World and Bangkok’s Pattaya and Coral Island. 5.) What Vietnam has to Offer Vietnam is now one of the favorite destinations of tourists. Tourists love exploring the city on their own and tasting the different food Vietnam has to offer. There are also cruises that a tourist can enjoy like the cruises along the Mekong River, and they also get to visit the smaller islands to taste the wonderful fruits Vietnam has. 6.) Unforgettable Katmandu Another unique place to visit is the Katmandu where you will get to know more about its culture and people by strolling in the Katmandu Durbar Square. Do not forget to visit, too, the Buddhanikantha Temple, another one of its famous tourist destinations. You can also go to Pashupatinath Temple. 7.) Big China You cannot tour all of China in a week, but here are some of the top places to visit in China. The Yangtze River Cruise is one of the favorites of not only the tourists but the local citizens as well, and in this tour, one gets to have a closer communion with nature. The other places that you must not forget visiting is the Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City as well as the Temple of Heaven. 8.) Delightful Turkey Turkey is one country you should not fail to visit. There are a lot of museums you can visit like the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. You can also visit famous archeological sites like Pamukkale’s Hierapolis as well as famous mosques like the Blue Mosque. 9.) Enjoying Japan Get to experience both old and new Japan in your Asian tour. Visit the wonderful and exciting City of Tokyo, a big contrast to Japan’s mountain villages where the old culture is still palpable. Also, get to know more about its people and culture by visiting the temples, shrines and palaces of Japan. 10.) Modern Singapore Singapore is one of the world’s business regions. Also, this is famous for being one of the major shopping centers in Asia and is rightfully called Shopper’s Paradise. Its stores’ competitive prices as well as air-conditioned malls are one of the favorite places tourists go to. | |
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| Beachfront Vacation Rentals: An Investment You Will Generate Money From! Jan 10th 2012, 19:06 There are a lot of reasons why you should invest in beachfront vacation rentals. No matter where you are located, there will always be some travelers who will be interested in renting your property. As a result, you will be able to get a return of the money you invested in buying the property. More so if you have a beachfront home in top beach destinations such as Hawaii, Costa Rica, Boracay, and many more. The biggest reason why this new property you are interested in buying is considered as a g | |
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