Long Island Coastal Homes

Planning a vacation with the whole family means you have one primary consideration: keeping the kids happy. If planning a beach vacation, it seems you already have taken care of that main consideration, but not completely. You want to be sure you choose a kid-friendly beach that will also keep the adults happy.

Dr. Beach, otherwise known as scientist Dr. Stephen Leatherman, chooses the top beaches each year, always with an eye toward the kids as well. All of the following selections are made with the family in mind. These were Dr. Beach’s selections for 2006.

1. Fleming Beach, Maui. This beach, of which part is the Ritz Carlton beach, is a popular destination for families. Here, you can surf, swim and picnic. Since the kids are with you, you’ll appreciate that there are restrooms, showers and picnic facilities. If you’re visiting in the winter, stay out of the water, as the surf is dangerously high then. Families also like the location – it’s on the west side of Maui and is backed by a forest of trees which provide abundant shade.

2. Caladesi Island State Park, Florida. This beach makes a wonderful complement to a Florida vacation with kids. Head to Florida’s west coast (this beach is near the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area) and visit this park, which offers a marina, picnic pavilions, shelling and fishing, as well as nature studies. There are also three miles of nature trail here. The beach is a family favorite due to the myriad of activities that complement your visit, as well as the beautiful sand beaches perfect for sandcastle making.

3. Ocracoke Island, North Carolina. Located on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, Ocracoke Island is a popular destination for families. There’s something here for everyone: the kids enjoy watching the “banker ponies”, the wild ponies that live there, and parents enjoy the quaint shops, historic lighthouse, and darling homes. The village of Ocracoke is on the National Register of Historic Places. There’s a free ferry service from Hatteras Island to Ocracoke Island. It’s a 40-minute ferry ride that can end up taking a lot longer in the summertime, as the wait for the ferry can be a long one.

4. Cooper’s Beach, Southampton, New York. Southampton was the first settlement in New York State, in 1640, and this beach is the main beach in the Southampton area. Of course, Southampton is known as the playground of the rich during the summer months, so be sure to prepare yourself for that if you’re not normally part of that moneyed crowd. But don’t let that scare you off – the beach is also a favorite playground of kids everywhere. You should carry some cash: non-residents pay $25 for weekday parking and $30 for weekend.

5. Hanalei Bay, Kauai, Hawaii. This beach, located on the north coast of Hawaii, is a quiet oasis of fun beach activities. There are many vacation home rentals in the area, so you can head from your condo or house rental right to this beautiful beach. Kids love it because the white sand beaches are prime for sand play, there are restrooms, picnic facilities and a lifeguard on duty. Kids can play in the water most times of the year and surfing and boogie boarding are also popular here.

Gil Hawkins
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/top-5-family-fun-beaches-95622.html

Bali is possibly one of the most enchanting island on earth. One of more than 13.000 islands in Indonesia, and Bali is revered as one of the world’s most popular and interesting tourist destination.

Some quick facts: Bali covers an area of 5620 km2, about 140 km from West to East and 80 km from the South to North. The South part consists of lime stone with beautiful soft white sand along the beach, while the East, West and North are mostly volcanic layers with black soft sand beach.

Bali has a tropical climate with the average temperature of about 30 degrees C (80 degrees F) all year. It has only 2 seasons, dry season started from April to October and wet season from October to April. It is always nice and cool in the hillside while though hot around the coastal area but there are still nice breeze all the time. The dry season is always sunny with great view of sunset and sunrise, while the wet season is not too wet because there is still much sun to enjoy during the day time.

Here are eleven things one must see if you are in Bali. 

1. Barong Dance – This is approx. 1 hour long religious dance representing the eternal fight between the good – Barong and the evil symbolized by a horrible looking witch called Rangda. The costumes and set are elaborate and nice. The trick is to get there early, so that you get front seats and be close enough to see the facial expressions of the dancers 
2. Celuk (Gold & silver smith), Mas (wood carving) and Stone carving villages – You would drive past these 3 villages and see the array of shops selling the gold, wood and stone. As you get into Celuk, all the gold and silver smith shops flank the roads, you can also drop by their factory to take a look at the production process. The same goes for the wood carving and stone carving 
3. Mount Batur (Kintamani) – This is the second largest active volcano in Bali. It is 1,717 meters from sea level, and bears the remains of the black lava from it’s eruption in 1917 and 1927. There is a nice scenic crater lake there. You can do buffet lunch at one of the restaurant and admire the breath-taking view as you eat. The buffet lunch cost about S$10 and has reasonable spread 
4. Trita Empul  – Tirta Empul means ” bubbling water ” and is a holy water temple built in 960 AD. The temple is beautiful temple and has holy water fountains for different purposes of purification and blessing. There were people in the fountains doing their purification when I was there. Further inside the temple area, you can see the source of the water – a spring where water is bubbling up through the black sand. A total make of nature. Legend has it that one of the gods shot an arrow from heaven to look for water, and the spot where the water is bubbling up now is the exact spot where the arrow hit 
5. Goa Gajah – Means “elephant cave”. Found in 11th century, this cave was dug in the peaceful riverside valley in a hard sand stone. Entering the inside T-Shape cave, there are some niches used by Buddhist Monks for meditation. Among the many historical remains found around this cave is the holy Ganesh Statue (a human body with elephant head) which is believed as the God of Purification and Evil Controller. The cave can be quite claustrophobic for some people but is well worth a quick look inside 
6. Sebatu Holy Spring Temple  - Is named ” Gunung Kawi ” in Balinese. It is a very beautiful village temple located in a peaceful valley with its holy spring. Somewhat similar to Trita Empul, there are large fountains outside the temple area, where villagers use to take a bath. However, my driver told me that this place is not as ‘holy’ as Trita Empul 
7. Taman Ayun – Is the largest Royal Family Temple Complex built in 1934 in the village of Mengwi, Badung Regency. The area of this temple is surrounded by moat with some water lilies and lotuses. The place is still used during prayer sessions and important ceremonial events 
8. Tanah Lot – One of the most famed temple in Bali. Tanah Lot means ” the land of ocean” is a fascinating Hindu Temple built on a piece of cliff in Indian Ocean shore. This temple is dedicated to the God of Ocean “Baruna” built by a high Hindu Priest name Dang Hyang Dwijendra in the 16th century. During high tide, the cliff is surrounded by water and the temple looks like it is floating. In the bottom part of the cliff there is a fresh water holy spring while on the beach cave there are some holy snakes that guard the temple. In the South and North part of the temple is absolutely beautiful view and best for watching sunset 
9. Uluwatu Temple – Also built by the same Hindu Priest who built Tanah Lot, Uluwatu temple is also another magnificent temple built perched on a cliff. The whole temple stretches across a large area and it is flanked by the fabulous India Ocean. Here, you also see large numbers of monkeys, mostly mischievous ones, who snatches food from visitors 
10. Lake Beratan & Pura Ulun Danu – Beratan is a name of the Lake and Village. There is a spectacular floating temple called “Ulun Danu Temple” and is an absolutely interesting sight. The weather at the lake is cool, which is a nice break from the mostly hot sun during my trip. There were people who hired a traditional paddle boat or speed boat to go around the lake, although my driver said there really is nothing much to see around the lake 
11. Jatiluweh – A place where you see lots of terraced rice paddy fields. The sights are breathtaking as you see the green terrace, meandering around you. This place is supposed to one of the few in the world that has such nice terraced paddies. Those terraces are probably cut decades ago, and now resulting in the fascinating view today

Shu Wei Wong
http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/eleven-places-you-must-see-in-bali-485915.html

Folly Beach is an island wonder that is tucked between the boundless opportunities of the Atlantic Ocean and the spectacular beauty of historic Charleston, South Carolina. In a place where southern hospitality harkens back to a simpler, less stressful, time, you can leave all of your worries on the mainland and become one the laid-back locals in a Folly Beach vacation home rental.

While most people know Folly Beach as the closest sandy wonder to Charleston, and the perfect place for a day trip, this six mile long barrier island is an entertaining and inviting vacation destination in itself. With extensive ocean frontage and soft sandy beaches, it is the perfect place to throw down a towel and experience adventures beyond compare. Swimming, sunning, jet skiing, parasailing, and kayaking are always on the menu, while fishing from the Folly Beach Edwin S. Taylor Fishing Pier is a local favorite for not only the big catches but also the stunning views of the “Edge of America.”

If the beaches aren’t enough to draw you in, or you think that Folly Beach is still only good for a day of excitement, then consider the scenic beauty and utter relaxation that await when you venture away from the everyday. The little pleasures in life, such as strolling the sand at sunset and watching the dolphins frolic in the waves, take center stage and the lack of tourist attractions becomes a gift since you can then focus on the great outdoors. When you spend your time appreciating your surroundings, rather than scurrying from one activity to another, only then can you truly enjoy your time away from home.

Although some people can spend their entire vacation at the beach, most of us need that little something extra to keep our attention and complement our other activities. Charleston may not seem like anything little when you read about its many historical wonders, and it certainly isn’t, but it is the perfect side note for an all-around amazing trip. By combining the beachfront adventures of Folly Beach with the striking houses, museums, and plantations of Charleston, you can get everything you always wanted out of a coastal South Carolina getaway in addition to a little more relaxation than you imagined.

With Folly Beach and Charleston so close together and each offering different forms of beauty, you may not think that it makes a big difference where you make your home base. However, Folly Beach is the logical choice for anyone who wants to escape from the crowds that flock to Charleston, which is considered one of the top places to visit in America, and surround themselves with a serene beach setting. In a Folly Beach vacation rental, stunning ocean views, gentle breezes, and endless waterfront entertainment are at your fingertips and all of the comforts of home only serve to make your stay that just more convenient.

Folly Beach vacation rentals are also the perfect option for soaking in the southern charms of this quaint island. As you become acquainted with the slower pace of life, you can take advantage of all the little things your home away from home has to offer in the way of relaxation. The private patio and rocking chairs are perfect for ending the day on a high note, while the sights and sounds of the dolphins, pelicans, and ocean are an arousing alarm clock and invigorating way to begin your morning. Meals on the screened in patio and evenings around the cozy kitchen are just the beginning of fulfilling family getaway where you always feel right at home.

Picturesque, entertaining, and always an adventure, Folly Beach is more than just a place to swim in the ocean and enjoy the delights of Charleston; it is a distinct and charming city where beautiful scenery comes to life and waterfront excursions always seem just a little more perfect along its lovely shoreline. Whether you need to getaway from it all on an island paradise or you simply want something slightly off the beaten path, Folly Beach and its many vacation home rentals invite you to experience a one-of-a-kind retreat that is sure to have you coming back for years to come.

Jen W.
http://www.articlesbase.com/vacation-rentals-articles/folly-beach-vacation-rentals-114264.html

If your looking for a city with a fun laid back atmosphere and plenty of sunshine then it’s hard to go past Brisbane. Brisbane is the state capital for Queensland and is located roughly half way along the East coast of Australia. It enjoys a sub-tropical climate so it’s fairly warm all year round without quite the same extremes of the tropical north. Brisbane has really moved on in the past few years to add more in the way of great shopping, nightlife and places to eat. The city with a population of nearly two million is alos a good base to explore nearby coastal areas such as the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast.

Getting there: From within Australia you can easily reach Brisbane by air or road. Brisbane airport is well served by all the major domestic airlines such as Qantas, Virgin Blue and Jetstar. It’s about a ninety minute flight from Sydney to Brisbane and around two hours from Melbourne. Travelling by road is possible by car or coach but it’s at least ten hours driving so it’s a good idea to split the trip up if you can. A couple of great places to stay on that strecth of coast include Coffs Harbour and Byron Bay. If you’re coming to Brisbane from overseas then the airport is well served with direct flights from Asia and connections from other parts of the world such as Europe and the US. Airlines that fly into Brisbane include Singapore airlines, Emirates, Qantas and Cathay Pacific. Once you land you can either get the Air train into the city or catch a taxi which will take around 20-25 minutes to get into the city.

Getting Around: Once your in Brisbane then it’s easy to get around the central areas by foot or public transport. The public transport is operated under the name of TransLink and allows the use of a single ticket for bus, rail and ferry. Make sure you explore the river using the fast and smooth City Cat catamaran ferries. If your Brisbane accommodation is located in the city centre or inner city areas such as South bank or Fortitude Valley then you should be able to get round the city centre areas on foot. The CBD area of the city is fairly compact. However, if you need to get further away from the centre then Brisbane sprawls out a long way and you may find car rental a good option. There are many Brisbane car rental companies to choose from including all the big names and a number of local low cost operators. A word of warning. If you choose a low cost car rental firm then read the small print in detail. A couple of the firms charge admin and other fees in the event you cause damage to the car and hide this in reams of small print on the contract.

What to do: Brisbane has plenty to do but here are a few suggestions to get you started. * Explore the river via the Citycat ferries. Stand on the front or rear outside sections to get the best views of the multi-million dollar riverfront homes and apartments along the river. Places to stop include New Farm Park where you can enjoy the large park, go for a game of ‘bare foot bowls’ at the local club or visit the famous farmers markets (2nd & 4th Saturdays each month). Towards the end of the trip down river hop off at the Bretts Wharf stop and take the ten minute riverside walk to Portside Wharf the new cruise ship terminal which also has some excellent riverside restaurants and a Dendy cinema. * Visit Southbank Parklands on the other side of the river to the city. Stretching along the river for over a kilometre this area is home to great cafes and restaurants, Streets beach which is an artificial beach and lagoon which is free all year round and is home to the cultural heart of Brisbane with the performing arts centre, galleries and museums. * Visit the eat street areas of the inner city suburbs of West End, Paddington and Oxford Street in Bulimba. * Shop on the Queen Street Mall in the CBD which features a great range of stores including department stores Myer and David Jones. * Play a game of bare foot bowls at Merthyr Bowls Club on Oxlade Drive in New Farm. Access is easy via the Citycat ferry using the New Farm Parklands stop. * Head east to Moreton Bay and take a ferry over to North Stradbroke Island, one of the largest sand islands in the world and home to some great beaches. * Use Brisbane as a base for nearby destinations such as the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast and Australia Zoo which is one hour north of Brisbane by road.

Where to stay: There is a wide range of Brisbane accommodation on offer. The good news is that much of the Brisbane accommodation on offer is of a very good standard and good value.

At the top end of the price scale you have the usual big chain hotels such as the Sofitel, Hilton and Marriot. These have the advantages of good location and facilities though value for money is sometimes not as good as the alternatives.

Using self contained accommodation is an excellent option for Brisbane accommodation and the city offers a good number of quality apartments for holiday rentals. There are a good number of serviced apartments available in the city centre and nearby areas such as South bank parklands. If your a family and might need more than one hotel room then serviced apartments with 2 or 3 bedrooms tend to offer excellent value. The apartments offer bedrooms, separate living areas with a full kitchen. As well as getting much more space than a hotel room you can also save money by cooking some of your meals in the kitchen rather than having to east every meal out.

When to go: Almost any time of the year is good for a visit to Brisbane as it has a warm sub-tropical climate and over three hundred days of sunshine per year. If you are used to colder climates then you may find the summer months of December to February a little hot. The temperatures during these months often range between 28c and 34c as well as being humid. These summer months are also the wettest. You don’t tend to get many dull and dreary days with rain though. Typically they come in the form of thunderstorms that build up during the day and are short but sharp!

The time of year I enjoy the month are Spring and Autumn as it’s still nice and warm but with less of the humidity and storms that come with summer. Winter in Brisbane is not exactly cold either. Winter is the driest time in Brisbane so expect a good number of sunny days. In the winter then it does get cooler at night with temperatures often hitting single digits but the average maximum temperature in the day is still in the low twenties.

Brisbane is increaslingly a popular destination for Australian and international travellers so make sure you make it part of your trip.

Rich Greenwood
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/brisbane-guide-688538.html

The one hundred and thirty seven islands, islets and shoals that make up the Hawaiian Island chain sit at the northern tip of the Polynesian Triangle, an expanse of ocean roughly the size of Europe and North America combined. As one of the most geographically isolated, continuously populated spots on Earth, Hawaii is a land of many contrasts.

Hawaii, the largest of the Hawaiian Islands, is nicknamed The Big Island because it is twice the combined size of the other islands.

Big Island has an area of more than four thousand square miles with nearly three hundred miles of coastline, ninety three miles long by seventy six miles wide. Big Island is located in Polynesia near the centre of the Pacific Ocean just below the Tropic of Cancer one of the most remote spots on Earth.

The population had a resident population of 162,971 in 2004. It is the second most populous island in the State. Approximately 1.5 million visitors visited in 2005.

The first visitors to the Islands of Hawaii came not knowing what to expect or even that the Islands existed. It is generally believed Hawaiis first permanent inhabitants sailed in voyaging canoes from the southern hemisphere islands of the Marquesas, between 300 and 800 A.D. Later waves of settlers arrived by the 12th century, this time from Tahiti.

All Hawaiian Islands have a dry side and a wet side. The windward east side of each island attracts more annual rainfall. The leeward west side is always the drier area of the island.

The Big Island has a wide variety of plant, marine and animal life. Many species are rare and endangered including the giant Pacific Green Sea Turtle, the Nene Goose and the Humpback Whale. Vegetation zones include coastal, dry land forest, mixed open forest, rain forest and alpine.

The economy was healthy in 2006. Key indicators are positive for continuing growth in the second half of this decade. However, Hawaiis cost of living is among the highest in the nation and its 2004 per capita personal income below average. In fact, sources indicate a cost of living ranging from 30 percent above the national average to over 60 percent depending upon family size and circumstances.

Big Island was formed by five volcanoes. Two are still active Mauna Loa and Kilauea, the worlds most continuously active volcano. At 13,796 feet and 13,677 feet respectively, Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa are the highest mountains in the Pacific.

Douglas Scott
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/largest-of-the-hawaiian-islands-139835.html

If you’re looking for an adventure that is physically active yet relaxing, mentally stimulating and spiritually uplifting, diving amid the wonders of a coral reef may be the ultimate answer. But where should you go, especially if you have a taste for something and somewhere a bit out of the way?

Here are four corners of paradise for the discerning reef diver, which are teeming with wondrous wildlife but not yet with truckloads of tourists.

ERITREA

Eritrea has perfect coral reefs untouched by humans and teeming with aquatic life in all the colours of the rainbow. At the bottom of the sea you’ll find sunken wrecks, ships, tanks, rocket launchers and even a complete dry dock. In the Dahlak coral reefs you can find 250 species of fish, as well as sharks, dolphins, barracuda, tuna, caranx – narrow-bodied fish with widely forked tails – and dugong, the near extinct sea cow. Dugong are large enough not to have many predators; on the other hand, they have a long life span and are slow breeders, which make them vulnerable to threats. See them while you can. You need a visa to visit Eritrea. There are good hotels to stay in but sleeping on the beach is free and fun.

BELIZE

The Barrier Reef off Ambergris Caye (island) lies about a kilometre off the windward side of the island. At about 300 km, it is the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere and the second longest in the world, after the Great Barrier Reef off Queensland.

Inside the reef the water is shallow and blue-tinged; outside the reef, the water is deep and seen from the air looks a dark royal blue. Near Ambergris Caye the reef almost touches land and here it is a magnificent, almost so!id wall of coral formations, broken only by narrow channels called “quebradas”. The coral is astonishing in its endless variety of shapes and colours: rainbow-tinged tropical fish, delicate sea fans, sponges and gorgeous coral gardens.

Beyond the reef, the seabed drops sharply in a series of layers to enormous depths, where gamefish such as mackerel, tuna, sailfish and marlin.

To the east of the Barrier Reef there are three separate atoll reefs, which run northeast-southwest and are separated by deep marine trenches. Just to the north, in Mexican waters, is a fourth atoll reef, Banco Chinchorro, where there are abundant wrecks to explore. UK-based operator AwimAway.com (020 7430 1766, www.awimaway.com) an adventure specialist undertakes some interesting tours to the region.

SOUTH AFRICA

Tropical sunshine and the warm Aughlas current have allowed the formation of a unique coral reef at Sodwana, about 400 km north of Durban near the Mozambique border. The reef is home to over 1200 species of reef fish and also hosts visits from mantas, whale sharks, Zambezi sharks, humpback whales and dolphins.

Sodwana Bay – the name means “little one on its own” in Zulu – is one of the most popular of the dive sites, being easily accessible by road from Durban and enjoying temperatures averaging a pleasant 24°–28°C. There are many shallow coastal pools suitable for snorkelling, with interesting reef formations and fish life. Check out with www.awimaway.com for your customised tour to the region.

AUSTRALIA

Yes, of course there’s the Great Barrier Reef, but for something a bit different, think about Ningaloo Reef, which is off the town of Exmouth, pretty much as far west as you can go in Australia (flights from Perth daily).

Ningaloo Reef is a fringing, rather than a barrier reef, because it is quite close to the shore and only shallow water separates land and reef. This intricate reef system stretches over 260 km and, at some points, is only metres from the beach. It is home to myriad marine animals, including the largest fish in the world, the rare whale shark, some specimens of which grow to 18 metres in length. Whale shark visit the Ningaloo Reef between March and June looking for plankton to eat. Humpback whales, manta rays and green, loggerhead and hawksbill turtles can also be seen in their season.

The little damselfish, which hide in the coral, the colourful and conspicuous wrasses, the exquisitely patterned and graceful butterflyfish and the similarly gorgeous angelfish, abundant cardinalfish and parrotfish all contribute to making this an environment of rare splendour, impressive as a diving destination all year round.

Harish Kohli
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-tips-articles/diving-paradises-on-four-continents-115121.html

Vacations are primarily made for the recreational purposes. Many people who are quite pre occupied with their jobs and other day to day activities plan their long awaited vacations since they want to relax and spend some time away from their daily troubles and worries. If you are one of those who want to escape daily pressures, then you ought to book a trip to Dubai – specifically – The Jumeirah Beach.

The Jumeirah Beach of Dubai is undeniably one of the most popular tourist attractions in the emirate. Year by year, thousands and thousands of tourists and locals pay a visit to this magnificent area. Most of them are the Western expatriates who work in the regions of the United Arab Emirates. As a result, it has been recognized as one of the top traveler hubs in the whole of the Middle East. Aside from the fact that travelers frequent the place, the local people also pay a visit to the area quite often.

The Jumeirah Beach is also considered as a residential area. These days, the beach is home to many low rise private houses as well as luxurious town homes that compete aggressively when it comes to their architectural styles.

Technically, the Jumeirah Beach of Dubai is an artificial beach. However, despite the fact that it is not one of the many natural wonders located in the Jumeirah strip, it continues to be one of the most awe-inspiring sites in the area. It is situated along the long stretch of the Arabian Sea in the town of Bur Dubai. It is strategically located as a prime residential cite as it is only 15 kilometers away from the Dubai City Center. While it is highly noted as one of the most attractive beaches in the Middle East these days, it was more popular as a fishing site in its early days. During its early beginnings, the place was inhabited by native fishermen.

Dubai’s Jumeirah Beach is regarded as magnificent primarily because of the pristine waters that perfectly neglects the dryness of the country’s deserts. Definitely, a trip to this place will be a truly rewarding experience as every step on the sand and every blow of the cool breeze will definitely refresh your senses and rejuvenate your mind and body. The Jumeirah Beach hosts a large number of hotels, resorts, spas, beach hotels and private bungalows that are more than willing to cater to all of your needs and desires.

Undeniably, the rapidly rising tourism industry of Dubai has brought about the creation of a variety of delights for the avid traveler. Among the most renowned hotels and resorts in the area are the Jumeirah International, the Madinet, and the Wadi. Aside from the amazing park resorts in the area, one should also try to visit the third biggest man made island in the world – The Palm Island. Palm Island is situated somewhere near the coast of Jumeirah Beach. If you belong to the fairer sex, you will be delighted to have an added reason to stay in the place as the in-house Jumeirah Beach Park has marked some special days for women.

Steve Kevin
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/a-man-made-delight-the-jumeirah-beach-685156.html

Ken Daniel, of Security Advisors Worldwide, or SAW, a renewable energy security advisory company contracted by Jetstream Wind, Inc. recently returned from the island of Haiti.    

I understand that you and Security Advisors Worldwide had a very successful trip to Haiti.  There doesn’t seem to be a great deal of media coming from this nation as to the daily lives of Haitians, the environmental issues they face, or the energy issues they’re looking at.

So that we can have a better picture, can you begin by talking about what it’s like for average citizens in Haiti on any given day?

Mr. Ken Daniel: 

On an average morning in Haiti, people there don’t wake up to the possibility of electricity like we do here. They pretty much use coal to warm themselves in the morning. There also aren’t the refrigeration capabilities like here in the states, so they walk to the market everyday to get whatever food they can prepare and eat that given day.

As far as the issue of water goes, in the capitol of Port-au-Prince there was some running water, and I would see people on the exteriors of buildings filling up their water containers. But out in the rural areas, it’s more difficult and being pumped out of wells.

Along the roadways are fifty-five gallon plastic drums filled with water. Haitian citizens basically walk some distances to these to get their daily water since there aren’t many vehicles owned by private citizens.

There’s obviously not a large availability of electricity in Haiti, which seems odd in this day and age. Where does this issue stem from?

Ken: 

There’s a hydro-plant that rests in-between Port-au-Prince and Hesh. It was actually built by Americans in the early part of the last century and has been around for a very long time. Put simply, it’s just old and doesn’t kick out enough power.

All of the power lines that we take for granted here in the US, actually have cobwebs growing on them in Haiti. And then, with the bad weather, hurricanes and such, there were numerous poles leaning at 45 degree angles with wires coming out of them.

The only real power was in the capitol of Port-au-Prince and it goes off regularly. Mostly though, what I saw were people with candles and bags of coal to cook their food. Really, unless you are a person with a little bit of money and can afford to be affluent, you can’t rely on the comfort of being able to depend on electricity.

With the hurricane situation, the lack of food and good shelter, renewable energy quite possibly could be the key to bringing in some the needed electricity to help with the situation.

This would be the first renewable energy technology being developed on an island, which is monumental. Would it be more difficult creating wind, solar, or hydrogen power on an island in the middle of the ocean as opposed to it being developed on a mainland?

Ken: 

In this particular place, almost everything that is needed can literally be brought to the land. With hydrogen technology for example, an area of land is cleared where it won’t require much manipulation as this technology is easily able to be placed. An added benefit to that is there won’t be any deforestation.

With solar technology, another small piece of land within a vast spread of land is cleared and the technology placed upon it. Lines won’t have to be ran over long expanses of land for fuels, diesel, or natural gas. There won’t ever be an oil spill or pipes in the ground that corrode.

So it doesn’t seem to be too difficult. Exporting equipment out of the United States and importing to an island would be the main issue to be dealt with. Jetstream Wind would have to look at building an airstrip so that they can cargo fly equipment in. Most building materials would have to be imported from the U.S., which is 300 miles off the coast of Miami, and would either come in by cargo plane or shipped in by sea.

It would be a benefit to take the time and see if there was anything available on the island that can readily be used, salvaged and recycled.

The terrain in Haiti (being an island) is more than acceptable. There are mountains, which means the wind is constantly blowing across them. There’s plenty of sunshine shining on the hills that are vast, rounded and able to be navigated. Even the new hydrogen technology can easily be implemented there.

If Haiti were to bring renewable energy in, it could be put anywhere. It wouldn’t have to be placed in a major metropolitan area, and the power from the renewable energy plant(s) could run to the pre-existing grid. The hope would be, however that Haiti itself would help to re-build the infrastructure so that all of this power could get to the homes, schools, hospitals, businesses and other places where electricity is vitally needed.

The truth is that they would have to wait far longer to get any other type of an energy program in, such as coal for example. There are also some pretty severe issues with deforestation happening at present, and so I would think that renewable energy is really the only way to go for Haiti right now.

Looking at the environmental impact of renewable energy on Haiti, would you say that there would be any, at all, created from this technology?

Ken: 

As compared to a coal-fired plant here in the United States, no, other than having to clear small pieces of land to put things on.

There are many countries that simply have to have energy right now, and this is by far the cleanest way to get it. Nuclear is not the answer. It leaves a long-standing residue as a result of that power. Natural gas and coal also lead to numerous environmental concerns.

The fact is that we can’t rely on oil for our needs any longer and I don’t want to see any more damaging changes in the land. This won’t. And the residue from this technology won’t be a bigger burden for the Earth. What’s cleaner than water?

But it really doesn’t matter what country it’s in as far as getting the renewables to work for people. It’s the technology that Jetstream Wind has that hits the central point of this whole thing. In other words, if the technology can get there and the transmission lines can get ran, then this can work almost anywhere.

Working through the issues of basic infrastructure, transmission, politics, and environment, a company like Jetstream Wind is the right answer for those people.

Did the Haitian government welcome you and the possibility of a Jetstream Wind collaboration?

Ken: 

Yes. I was treated very well. I was able to meet with the US Ambassador to Haiti, the advisor to the President of Haiti, several Prime Ministers, and the necessary others that would become involved should we all come together and build a renewable plant there.

Other than simple barriers with the French-Creole language, it was a very successful meeting and everyone was excited. It went from one meeting to five or six, with them wanting me to speak with as many leaders as possible in my short time there.

This is a major project of which Jetstream Wind would probably want to share some sort of responsibility. How deeply would the country of Haiti be involved and responsible in re-powering their nation?

Ken: 

The United States created a bailout for the auto industry. The country of Haiti will possibly need to create a financial bailout for their energy problem. They’re probably going to have to put some money into the system to start readying themselves for this type of project.

Having the years of experience in large military operations, I’ve learned to back-plan for anything. In other words, I can see the end result, but before I can get there I have to first go all the way back to where it begins. It begins by asking questions…a lot of them.

In order for renewable energy to be a reality in Haiti, the Haitian government has to ask themselves some questions so that Jetstream Wind and Security Advisors Worldwide can do our jobs.

How will they find the necessary people needed for this large of a project? How will they train these people? Where are the people located and where is the transportation going to come from to move these people? How will they communicate?

There is a lot of work to be done from taking out old transmission lines and putting in new ones, to breaking ground on the energy plant itself. Power poles will be placed on every block. New construction companies will be built, taking into account everything that goes with that including the huge amount of labor needed.

We can also take into account the education necessary to work with a project of this type, creating a national boost in knowledge. Anything from taking down a power line to managing a company with the large workforce will have to be covered.

It’s not only about the end result of the plant supplying renewable energy to the people. It also includes the entire scope of the process beginning with Haiti’s choice and ability to prepare for it.

In seeing the potential, meeting the representatives, and observing the culture, what is the one thing that you come back with?

Ken: 

I come back with the insight that the country of Haiti is only a two and half hour flight from Miami. It’s not so far away that we can’t touch it with our assistance.

Little kids are walking distances, carrying the water they needed for the day. You have to remember we as a human race have also been to the moon. We’re building a space station. How is it possible that an island, so close to the United States is in the situation it is?

This has the capacity of creating and developing a whole new job infrastructure and economy. It is a prime example of renewable energy quickly effecting the situation for the better.

The capability is there to get it done. The land is there, the people are motivated, and the technology is ready to go. With the help of the Haitians in getting the infrastructure ready, a whole new way of life can arise from this for the people of Haiti, and also the same possibility for other people and nations all over the world.

What strikes me the most from our conversation about renewable energy is its ability to cross borders, boundaries, cultures, political policies, and even world religions without leaving heavy footprints of various unwanted agendas.  

Thank you once again, Ken, for sharing this information showing how people and technology can come together to create a clean, economically stable world for our future and our children’s futures. 

Click here if you would like more information about Security Advisors Worldwide (SAW).

Ornesha  De Paoli

Green Ascension ~ Evolving People on an Evolving Planet

Ornesha De Paoli
http://www.articlesbase.com/news-and-society-articles/can-renewable-energy-power-islands-like-haiti-705671.html

Folly Beach, South Carolina is a picturesque small beach town that is fondly known as “The Edge of America”. Folly Beach is a barrier island that is 6 miles long, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the Folly River. Folly Beach is conveniently located just 8 miles from great restaurants and awesome sightseeing in beautiful, historic downtown Charleston.

Many individuals looking for a beach community home choose Folly Beach real estate because they enjoy the laid back, slow paced lifestyle Folly embraces. Signs on Folly Beach streets implore drivers to “Slow Down! Relax! It’s Folly Beach!”. For those prospective home buyers with a bit of Bohemian in them, Folly Beach is a quintessential beach town.

You won’t find shopping malls and big-box stores on Folly Beach. What you will find are interesting and unique shops, great places to sample the delicious Lowcounrty cuisine, a remarkable fishing pier and the opportunity to observe pelicans fishing and dolphins playing. Folly Beach is also an excellent location for surfers. It is considered one of the finest shorelines for surfing on the East Coast. The Washout on Folly hosts competitive surfing events every year.

Folly Beach real estate offers buyers a very diverse selection of properties to fit all tastes. Looking for an oceanfront villa? There are magnificent homes for sale on Folly where the beach and ocean is your backyard. Enjoy water, but don’t care to live on the ocean? Folly Beach has many homes on the Folly River and marsh lands. Several of these properties also feature boat docks for convenient fishing and recreation. Prefer the amenities of condo living instead? Folly Beach has outstanding condominium developments; many right on the ocean.

Living on Folly Beach provides residents with the opportunity to view not only gorgeous East Coast sunrises, but also amazing and colorful sunsets. Another great attraction of Folly Beach is that it offers fun things to do for all age groups. Adults and teens have plenty of options; sailing, boating, parasailing, shopping, lounging on the deck of a restaurant enjoying Lowcountry specialties, enjoying the spectacular views from the Edwin S. Taylor fishing pier, or simply lying on the beach, soaking up the sun. For kids, Folly Beach presents wonderful opportunities for surfing, fishing, water-skiing, biking, wildlife watching and a popular 600 acre county park.

Buyers looking to purchase Folly Beach real estate are attracted by the year-round mild climate, vibrant local economy, low crime rate, choice of quality schools, reliable local government and eclectic residents. Many homes on Folly are surrounded by towering oak trees and beautiful palmetto palm trees, making Folly Beach a favored destination for home buyers seeking great views and good value.

Chuck Jaymes
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/have-you-discovered-folly-beach-real-estate-112312.html

Each summer on Corfu it’s possible to see the ‘King’ perform all his (and your) old favourites one more time. From “Heartbreak Hotel” to “Suspicious Minds”, from “Blue Suede Shoes” to “I Can’t Help Falling in Love”, my good friend Oresti Kovi, Corfu’s Elvis impersonator extraordinaire, dressed to the tens and sporting a pompadour hair style and mutton-chop sideburns, croons the legendary tunes five nights a week with style and penache in packed bars and nightclubs.

Over the past couple of years, Oresti’s Elvis act has become quite an event, and if imitation is the highest form of flattery, then Oresti is flattered by a number of those imitating the imitator: Elvis acts have popped up all over Corfu during the past couple of summers, though it is Oresti’s lively performance that seems to fill the bars and clubs night after night. When one talks about Elvis here on Corfu, we all know who they’re talking about: Oresti Kovi.

Even though this faux Elvis enjoys more than a little recognition these days, it has not always been so for him. Born and raised in Albania, Oresti Kovi came to Corfu fifteen years ago. The means by which he arrived were not only unconventional, but quite extraordinary.

One night, along with four friends, he set out to swim across the straight that separates Corfu from the Albanian mainland. From Kassiopi, one can easily see Oresti’s hometown of Seranda, and on a clear day, one can even see many details, such as individual buildings, the newly constructed landing strip, or a church spire. Indeed, the distance across the straight does not appear to be long, and in fact it is only about four miles from shore to shore. As the five young, fit men in their early twenties entered the water that night, they must have thought the swim would be an easy one, and that they would soon be celebrating their arrival on Corfu. Sadly, only two of the five survived the waters that night.

Fifteen years ago, the advantages of living in Greece, as opposed to living in Albania, were more than obvious, not only to Oresti, but to many Albanians who left their homes and came to live in Greece, particularly here on Corfu. These days it is estimated that there are no fewer than five thousand native Albanians living on the island, and that figure may indeed be too low. Living here on Corfu, one is certain to make the acquaintance of any number of Albanian ex-pats. I myself know many. And while it certainly was true fifteen years ago that the disparity in quality of life on these two not-so-distant shores was, shall we say, world’s apart, my friend Oresti tells me that today he’s not so sure anymore that Greece offers the promise and economic advantage that he was once willing to risk his life to sample.

Oresti’s history on Corfu has been both a varied and colourful one. During his first years spent on Corfu, he worked during the tourist season as a waiter. He never earned much money waiting tables, and when winter came, he searched out odd jobs to survive. Such a scenario is the rule rather than the exception for many if not most Albanian immigrants to Corfu. My friend Cosmos, for example, (also Albanian and a longtime resident of Corfu), is part of a troupe of Greek dancers that performs aboard cruise ships all during the summer season, but during winter this very talented, and very spirited, young man survives by picking up painting jobs when he can. On any day in San Rocco Square in Corfu Town, one can see scores of young Albanian men gathered there to sell their labour to anyone willing to give them a day’s work, and the rate at which they are paid is nothing less than pathetic. Though their presence is tolerated here on Corfu, these young men are reduced to a class only slightly better than slaves, usually doing the hard physical labour that their Greek hosts and employers would rather not do themselves, or pay the going rate to a Greek workman. Besides being condemned to live as economic outcasts, Albanian immigrants on Corfu all too often suffer prejudicial stereotyping, if not outright verbal abuse. To say the least, life is not everything these immigrants had hoped it might be; on the contrary, many have grown bitter, or returned to their native country, humble though it may still be.

The winter that I first met Oresti Kovi, he had not yet begun doing his Elvis act. In truth, that winter we were both broke as a joke, and he and his girlfriend Teresa would come round to our apartment to visit Kelly and me. We shared simple meals as we schemed about how to survive until spring. It was during those visits that I learned about Oresti’s deep and reverent devotion to Elvis Presley. On weekends, Oresti always sang karaoke at the Navigator’s bar, but only Elvis’s songs. During that same winter, Teresa sewed Oresti’s first Elvis costume–by hand! For our part, Kelly and I helped him, via the Internet, to acquire suitable boots for his costume from a company in Texas. The boots, I remember, arrived just before his inaugural performance that spring.

Several summers have come and gone now, and Oresti has become well established as Corfu’s premier Elvis imitator. He performs at least five nights a week all during summer at several resorts across the island. Seldom is there an empty seat for his performance, and often the street outside the venue where he is playing is crowded with those waiting for a seat inside. Money is also not such a big problem for Oresti these days, as his service is in great demand during the summer tourist season. I try to catch his act at least a couple of times during summer, not so much because I’ll see something I’ve not seen before, but to renew our friendship–one that was forged during tougher times for us both. I not only respect Oresti’s courage and his creativity, I admire his stamina, his courage, and most of all his sincerity. We have become good friends over the years, and I deplore the way many Corfiots treat the Albanians who’ve come here seeking a better future for themselves and their families. Frankly, there is no excuse for it.

Unlike in years passed, Oresti does not stay on Corfu during winter, he returns to Seranda, where his mother still lives. Seldom do I have the opportunity to spend evenings with him scheming or simply sharing dinner, but all in all, his absence is for the best, I suppose. Oresti has invited me to visit him at his home in Seranda. I’ve never been to Albania, but I would like to visit some time. Perhaps I’ll have the opportunity before long. For now, though, we catch up by phone about once each month. When we do meet up again, whether next spring or sooner, I know that our friendship will be instantly renewed, as it was one forged in hardship, and in hope. We share the knowledge that we are both immigrants here, a fact that we never forget, and even as we thank the Corfiots for having us, we deplore the manner in which they treat the Albanians, many of whom have Greek ancestry.

Next time you’re on Corfu, make it a point to see Oresti’s Elvis act. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed, because anyone who reveres the ‘King’ as Oresti does, and renders the songs with respect and humility and sincerity, as he certainly does, will certainly win his way into your heart, as he has mine.

Viva Las Vegas, Oresti! And long live the King!

David A. Ross
http://www.articlesbase.com/art-and-entertainment-articles/ladies-and-gentlemen-elvis-has-entered-the-building-746993.html