Archive for December, 2009

How Do You Get a Giraffe into a Canoe?

A free website can help holiday travellers answer their most pressing questions.

suitcasesLitchfield, CT “How big is a canoe? Can I fit it in my hand luggage?”

Not a strange question to Luke Dudley, founder of LuggageLimits.com. In fact, there isn’t a luggage-related query that Dudley hasn’t heard or is hard-pressed to answer. However, travellers don’t need the Connecticut Algebra teacher close by when booking a flight, as the revolutionary free travel tool he designed provides answers to virtually any luggage question.

There are few things in life that are free and rarely does a tool so useful come without charge or a hidden catch, but that’s exactly what ‘Luggage Limits’ provides; a no cost travel implement that is breaking the mould for those weary of being a target for every increase from swelling fuel prices to hidden taxes.

Dudley, a seasoned globe trotter who relocated from leafy suburbs of England to Connecticut’s northwest corner with many stops along the way, recalls some of the luggage horrors he had.

“The changing scenery was beautiful and I loved waking up in a new country but the luggage was a different story,” he said. “When you relocate as much as I have, you soon look at your possessions in a new light, and I can’t remember how many times I’ve had to leave a bike or bulky items at the airport for kind friends to collect and forward to me.”

However, it was the students’ luggage at the boarding school where he teaches that highlighted a gap in the industry. The kids regularly needed to fly with sports or music equipment or just had lots of heavy bags and would often incur a fortune in baggage charges and the stress of last minute unpacking at the flight counter. He knew there was a better way.

This summer, the travel world watched with interest as he brought a truly innovative concept to reality. ‘Luggage Limits’ has made a fast track into the major players of travel with acknowledgments from Lonely Planet (the World’s largest travel guide book publisher) and it’s easy to see why. With no membership required, no fees and no hidden catch, ‘Luggage Limits’ offers essential travel information at your fingertips without having to wade through pages and pages of airline regulations.

‘Luggage Limits’ recently reached the milestone of featuring baggage information for 100 Airlines and is proving to be as essential to travellers as their toothbrush. With hundreds of web visitors each day, it is clear more and more people recognize that the start of every journey should begin with a trip to LuggageLimits.com.

Yet, the site is constantly evolving.

“As visitors to the site can attest, it continually adds information and includes more and more airlines,” said Dudley. “With the goal of having luggage details for every airline, it’s rapidly becoming a ‘one stop shop’ for all flight luggage information.”

So, do you know how to get a giraffe into a canoe? There is a website that knows.

Know your limits!


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Where is Ipiales?

Las Lajas Cathedral

Las Lajas Cathedral

Colombia probably has more inspiring highlights than Ipiales but this town found close to the border with Ecuador certainly has a prize not to be missed if arriving from Ecuador.

The magnificent, neo-gothic cathedral of Santuario de Las Lajas is located 7km from the town centre and was built early to mid last century. It was built in a deep river gorge and incorporates a bridge spanning the river, making it quite a spectacular travel destination.

Each year Las Lajas attracts pilgrims from all over Colombia and from abroad. Thanksgiving plaques and mementos are left along the pathway to the fairy-tale like cathedral.

Colombia – A Country Guide

Map

TravelTipsPlus Google Map of Ipiales

One Great Reason to Visit Ipiales

One great reason to visit this travel destination is to see the Las Lajas Cathedral that has been built over a bridge spanning a steep, river ravine.

Las Lajas Cathedral, Ipiales, Colombia

Las Lajas / Ipiales, Colombia from Jnp on Vimeo.

For More Information

  • Wikipedia
  • You Might Also Enjoy The Following Travel Destinations

  • Los Llanos, Venezuela
  • Lake Titicaca, Bolivia
  • Machu Picchu, Peru
  • Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
  • Tikal, Guatemala
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    Where is Great Barrier Island?

    Medlands Beach

    Medlands Beach

    Great Barrier Island is located 90 km from Auckland on the east coast of New Zealand. Angela Pearse spent a weekend on the island courtesy of Tourism Auckland and Sealink ferries.

    Visiting Great Barrier Island is like winding back the hands of time. The 800 or so islanders generate their electricity by wind, solar, battery or diesel power. There is no main water supply or street lighting. Mail is infrequent and supplies of fresh food such as bread and grocery items are shipped over on the ferry.

    But it is this back-to-basics lifestyle and untouched natural landscape which makes Great Barrier Island such a special travel destination. On our trip we met some locals who are passionate about “The Barrier”.

    In Port Fitzroy on the west side of the island, Sven Stellin extracts manuka and kanuka oil and makes products, such as mosquito spray, balms, soaps and essential oils. He gives visitors a first-hand look into the process of extraction and a chance to buy Barrier Gold products.

    Also at Port Fitzroy is Glenfern Sanctuary run by Tony Bouzaid. Glenfern is a 150 acre reserve where endangered species such as the rare black petrel, brown teal duck and North Island Robins can live safely from predators. Tony’s guided walk takes you through the sanctuary, which has elevated boardwalks through native forest and a suspension bridge into a 600 year old kauri tree. A ride in Tony’s Unimog, a 4WD all terrain army vehicle, is included in the walk.

    Solar Panel House

    Solar Panel House




    Whether fishing, diving, kayaking, bush walking or general sight-seeing is the interest of the day, contact Steve Billingham of the Barrier Tour Company for an ‘Ultimate Tour’ of the island. Steve is renowned for his extensive local knowledge and humorous stories. He also runs Crazyhorse Trike Tours. A trike is a custom built motorbike that can seat two passengers side-by-side at the rear of the driver. Riders get a ‘wind in the face’ experience and commune with nature on an exhilaratingly intimate level.



    Great Barrier Island accommodation and camping grounds

    The largest settlement in Great Barrier Island is at Tryphena Harbour in the south west of the island where the ferry docks. It has a good selection of accommodation including:

  • Sunset Waterfront Lodge
  • Shoal Bay Lodge
  • Tipi & Bob’s Waterfront Lodge
  • There are eight camping grounds on Great Barrier Island, with some situated a short distance from pristine white sand beaches. Medlands Beach and neighbouring Okupu Bay on the east coast are particularly beautiful and it is not uncommon to see dolphins there in the warmer months.

    Brown Teal Ducks CrossingOther top notch accommodations include Mt Saint Paul Lodge at Medlands Beach and Great Barrier Lodge at Whangaparapara Harbour on the west, which has self-contained cottages and backpacker cabins.

    Currach Irish Pub, Mt Saint Paul Lodge and Great Barrier Lodge

  • For eating out there’s the Currach Irish Pub at Tryphena, a relaxed bar with live music and delicious speciality seafood dishes.
  • Or 20 minutes from Tryphena by car, Mt Saint Paul Lodge. A colonial style manor house set back from at Medlands Beach which offers fine seafood dining and stunning deck views. Hosts Trish and Ivan McMannaway are warm and welcoming.
  • Or try Great Barrier Lodge Restaurant and Bar at Whangaparapara Harbour, a perfect place to unwind after a day of tramping, kayaking, fishing or diving.
  • Sealink ferries and Fly My Sky

    You can reach ‘The Barrier’, as it is affectionately known, by a relaxing four and half hour Sealink ferry ride (with onboard café + two movie theatres) or a 35 minute chartered Fly My Sky flight from Auckland Domestic Airport.

    New Zealand (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

    Map

    TravelTipsPlus Google Map of Great Barrier Island

    One Great Reason to Visit Great Barrier Island

    One great reason to visit this travel destination is for the more than 100 kms of walking tracks. One of the most popular is Kaitoke Hot Springs. Reached by a gentle meandering bush walk, Kaitoke Hot Springs has a series of natural pools for bathing and is the perfect place to relax and unwind after a hard day of sight-seeing on the island.

    Great Barrier Island

    Great Barrier Island from Dave Woodard on Vimeo.

    For More Information

  • Wikipedia
  • Great Barrier Island Tourism
  • Great Barrier Island Tourism Directory
  • You Might Also Enjoy The Following Travel Destinations

  • Canterbury, New Zealand
  • Queenstown, New Zealand
  • Kaikoura, New Zealand
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