Things to do in Sydney in December 2012

Kids Holiday Activities

http://www.sydneyolympicpark.com.au/whats_on/kids_in_the_park

Random Xmas Market

When:Between Monday 17 December and Monday 24 December from 11.00 to 19.00;

Cost:Free

Running every day from 17th – 24th of December

Where:He Made She Made, 70 Oxford Street Darlinghurst 2010

An eclectic mix of art and design, stallholders include The Fortynine Studio, Marcue, QWUX & The Rah Collective, Dear Pluto, Agogwe + Otso, Square Peg Studios, Peek Art & Co plus daily decoration workshops from Kit Palaskas and her Craft Bike.
For more information go to:http://hemadeshemade.com/

The Rocks Village Bizarre

Between Friday 02 November and Sunday 23 December from 18.30 to 22.00

6.30pm – 10pm; Every Friday; 2 Nov – 21 Dec

Where:The Rocks , cnr George & Argyle Streets The Rocks 2000

Cost:Free

Draw back the velvet curtain and enter The Rocks Village Bizarre for a Friday night adventure into the weirdly wonderful. Meet peculiar performers, burlesque beauties and a cornucopia of curious characters. Experience a fun, quirky, spontaneous night out as The Rocks’ intimate laneways come alive.

Spin some celluloid at the pedal-powered cinema, get down at the silent disco and strut along to a secret hotel room for a peekaboo, car crash, rock star afterparty piece of theatre. Plus, hone your hula hoop skills, hear the hilariously twisted tale of convict butcher George Cribb and head to The Hidden Feast for a decadent yet surreal 10-minute dinner with a yarn-spinning celebrity artist!

For more details visit: Website:http://www.therocks.com/villagebizarre

-->

Clickbank Products

Whats on in Sydney - 9 Dec 2012

National Geographic Live! Mattias Klum: The Last Wild Places

Sunday 9 December 2012

Take an awe-inspiring journey around the world, featuring unique perspectives on some of Earth's natural wonders-including India's Asiatic lions, African wildlife, Iceland's glaciers, the rainforests of Southeast Asia and the Galápagos Islands. 

Your guide? One of the most important natural history photographers of our time. Through Klum's camera lens, you'll get an up-to-date report on the state of our planet. And, you'll marvel at the beauty of the natural world captured in striking new photographs and high-definition video from his most recent expeditions to the world's last wild places. 

Enjoy his trademark humour, passion and optimism, as Klum reaches out to audiences on an emotional level, combining astute observations with concrete solutions for sustainability. Perfect for explorers of any age, National Geographic Live is an unmissable celebration of the natural world in all its enchanting glory.

For more information: www.sydneyoperahouse.com/whatson/mattias_klum.aspx

  -->

Clickbank Products

How to get around the world free (or dirt cheap)

If you’re low on cash or afraid of flying, there is an an excellent article from Totaltravel, with suggestions on getting creative to fulfill those holiday dreams! 




Some of the suggestions include:

Taking a motorcycle

Deliver someone’s car

Work on a yacht

Make friends along the way

Drive a rental car

Read the full Article here.

I love the Chinese proverb, "Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still."

Have a great Day.

-->

Clickbank Products

Tips for a financially healthy holiday season

As we prepare for the festive season, we expect these
celebrations to be a time of happiness and joy. But these
celebrations can be financially stressful.

 Now is the time to plan with these 7 suggestions


Plan ahead - make a list of everyone you intend to buy a
present for and write the amount you intend to spend on
them. Think of alternate less expensive gifting options.

Don’t stop paying your regular bills - Although it is
tempting to do this so that you have extra money for the
festive season - it will only make it harder in January to get
on track. Keep up with regular bills and set a budget that you
can afford.

Beware of interest free deals - these are only good if you
can pay off the entire amount before the end of the interest
free period. Make sure you do the sums yourself and pay
more than the minimum required otherwise you could be
paying a high interest charge.

Shop with a purpose - Take your gift giving list when you
shop. Avoid spending more than you need to or can afford.
Think about groceries in November - there are lots of things
you can purchase ahead of the big day to make it easier. Start
planning your festivities now and see what you can start to
purchase rather than leaving it till the end.

Be thoughtful - chances are you are not the only one
worrying about the costs to be incurred over the festive
season. Your family and friends might be feeling the same.
Consider discussing with your loved ones about how to make
the holiday less expensive and yet an enjoyable time for
everyone (ie: Kris Kringle/pooling money for food/presents
only for kids).

Reuse gift wrapping – Retain any ribbon and gift bags that
you may have received and use them next year... great for
saving the environment too.

Black Friday & Cyber Monday Specials! Send Smiles and get FREE SHIPPING on Flowers & Gifts at 1800flowers.com! Use Code: SHIPFREE2012 at checkout

 (Valid 11/23/2012 12:00am EST - 11/26/2012 11:59pm EST)

"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou

Fwd: Experience Amazing UK And Europe Tours - Don't Miss This

Here's a great site to check out  

and some great deals  :-)

	Experience the Back-Roads touring difference on unique small group tours of the UK and Europe.
	With more than 25 years experience Back-Roads Touring has always offered a unique style of guided holiday. By limiting group sizes to a maximum of just 18 passengers our aim has always been to offer a more friendly, relaxed and flexible holiday experience. The company's purpose built mini-coaches can take you to places in the UK and Europe that larger coach tours are simply unable to reach. This means you can leave the typical tourist trails behind and visit intimate places like the cobbled town centre of historic European villages, or the narrow country lanes in the English Cotswolds.
	Back-Roads Touring is one company that still believes that the journey is as important as the destination and with our inspiring range of over 30 tour itineraries you can look forward to a unique, genuine and unforgettable experience wherever you choose to travel.
	Book today by calling 1300 100 410 or see your travel agent.
	7 Days/6 Nights from $2350* 14 Days/13 Nights from $4950* This tour has it all, history and architecture to breath-taking scenery and fine food. Drive through Dartmoor National Park and see wild ponies, visit Doc Martin's Port Isaac, enjoy lunch at Rick Stein's 'The Seafood Restaurant', explore Britain's maritime past in Falmouth and visit the stunning gardens of Trebah. Highlights: Dartmoor National Park, Port Isaac, Rick Stein's Seafood Restaurant, The Gardens of Trebah, Private garden tour of Tregothnan Estate and St Michael's Mount. This tour has been crafted as an intimate, indulgent introduction to one of the world's most popular peninsulas. We include all the major, must-see attractions but take you to hidden gems in classic Back-Roads fashion. Uncover the elegance of Italian culture, cuisine and history. Highlights: Private tours in Rome, Florence and Venice, explore remote Tuscan villages, ferry ride on Lake Como, visit the Cinque Terre and the swiss lakeside town of Lugano
	EARLYBIRD SAVINGS SAVE 5% per person on the rates below when you book and pay before 15th December 2012!
	HEART OF ENGLAND 5 Days/4 Nights from $1670* HIGHLIGHTS OF BRITAIN 9 Days/8 Nights from $2725* IRELAND THE EMERALD ISLE 12 Days/11 Nights from $3695* THE WONDERS OF WALES 7 Days/6 Nights from $2350* A SCOTTISH JOURNEY 7Days/6 Nights from $2485* LA BELLE FRANCE 9Days/8 Nights from $2895* PROVENCE & THE FRENCH RIVIERA 11 Days/10 Nights from $3720* TUSCAN TREATS AND THE CINQUE TERRE 9 Days/8 Nights from $2730* CROATIA AND THE DALMATIAN COAST 7 Days/6 Nights from $2695* SPANISH INSPIRATION 10Days/9 Nights from $3650* ANZACS ON THE WESTERN FRONT 4 Days/3 Nights from $1240*

-->

Clickbank Products --

"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou

Life is an Adventure'
Life is an Adventure on IBS

Mungo National Park

Looking across the baked, crusty earth that gives way to lumpish formations sculpted by wind and water and further on hill-sized dunes of pure white sand. The sun beats down from a sky so blue and so wide the occasional bird of prey scanning below for lunch stands out like a beacon.

The landscape is other-worldly, almost what you'd expect the rover Curiosity currently charting the surface of Mars to see.

This is Outback Australia, no doubt about it, but the interesting thing is that Mungo National Park in south-western New South Wales is one of the more accessible parts of the Outback to major population centres, and certainly one of the more fascinating.

Being just over 100km from Mildura in north-western Victoria and about 1000km due west of Sydney, Mungo is far easier to get to by car than (say) Ayers Rock or Coober Pedy yet arguably gives sightseers just as much bang for their visual buck.

Anyone thinking of visiting would do well to take the extra time and explore the area. A loop of a few hundred kilometres takes you to Broken Hill with its beautiful old buildings, art galleries and restaurants, then on to Menindie and its vast lakes, and Mildura with its burgeoning foodie scene.

The World Heritage listed National Park is based around Lake Mungo, the lake has not seen water in 18,000 years. Instead, its 200 square kilometers is a flat expanse of salt bush stretching from horizon to horizon. The tallest things out there are the small groups of emus plucking red berries from the blue bush.

 

But don't think for a moment that Mungo is a barren, empty wilderness. The major draw-card is on the eastern side of the lake where over millennium prevailing westerly winds have built up a 30km crescent-shaped arc of clay and sand called a lunette that has in turn been eroded into fantastic buttresses and gullies, colored white, red and yellow depending on the age of the sediment.

The area is known as the Great Walls of China and as well as being a spectacular place to explore and photograph, it is also of great cultural significance.

This was once the shore of the lake, a place where the local Aboriginal people fished, hunted, camped, cooked and dream of the land's beginnings. It is the place where the skeletal remains of Australia's oldest human inhabitant have been found, appropriately named Mungo Man, who was buried around 42,000 years ago. For modern day explorers the clues still remain of these early inhabitants.

Strong winds the previous week had shifted sand to reveal a pair of small white objects poking out of the hard-packed surface. They were the teeth of an extinct (in this region) hairy-nosed wombat, the little brother of much larger fauna such as the rhinoceros-sized Zygomaturus that lived in the area up until 45,000 years ago and was possibly hunted to extinction.

You can learn all about the history, geology and ecology of Mungo at the excellent visitor's centre built next to the shearing shed and homestead of what, up until the 1970s, was a sheep station.

There's also a self-guided drive around the park of about 70km that introduces a diverse variety of landscapes including the vast expanses of ancient lake bed (home to kangaroos, emus and echidnas), rolling sand dunes and the bird-filled stands of mallee woodland. At every turn, visitors are encouraged to park their car and walk through the various habitats - except for the Great Walls of China with its delicate, easily eroded surface which requires a guided walk to ensure its preservation.

It takes a good couple of days to properly explore the Park and accommodation is available at the comfortable and spacious Mungo Lodge, the more basic Shearers' Quarters near the old homestead, or various camping grounds inside and outside the Park.

The Park is closed at times due to poor weather or extreme fire danger. For up to date reports, always check with the park office on 03 5021 8900.
Access to the park costs $7 per car per day. Well worth a Visit..

 

-->

Clickbank Products

Dangers and safety - Water Skiing

Though swimming is not strictly a necessity to learn or start water skiing, it is always advisable to have learned the art of staying afloat on the water. One can always wear lifejackets to stay afloat in case of losing balance.

However, there are other dangers also. Skiing on shark-infested waters is always dangerous. When the activity is performed in rivers and lakes, the danger or attack from marine creatures is limited. But the same is not the case when skiing on the seas.

This peril was caught on camera in one of the Jaws series. The movie has kept a generation of people away from waters, and quite possibly from the sport of water skiing. 

Another danger is hidden or submerged rocks. These could ambush skiers and throw them of balance. However, this danger is minimal as most skiing is done over waters that has been tested and is familiar for the skiers. But when skiing over waters that is not familiar to the skier, or is not chartered, then the danger from rocks is real.

The skier always faces the danger of losing balance and crashing in the water. This could affect even experienced skiers. While skiing at high speeds, the skier could lose balance and fall. The impact of the human body on water while at high speeds can be  fatal for the skier.



The best way to avoid such problems is to ski with experts or in groups, so that there are other people to come to your rescue when something untoward happens. It is imperative that skiers always take safety measures before embarking on the activity.

Clickbank Products

Water Skiing Safety and Inspiration

Water skiing has its flip side too. It is definitely not for the weak-hearted. If you cannot stomach water and getting wet, well stay away from even watching a skiing show on the TV. Also, those with spectacles have major trouble skiing.

Wearing contact lenses would mean the risk of losing them. Whereas, wearing spectacles means water droplets on the glasses and hazy vision. Drowning is another real problem facing water skiers.

The disabled people too can enjoy the joys of water skiing. Of course, the rules for participation of the disabled are mentioned and understood. This is a sport where the competition is primarily between you and yourself. To compete with oneself as anyone would vouch is the toughest thing to do.


Water skiing, though a high-adrenaline activity, it complements health too. It regulates metabolism and improves immunity. Well, that's true for almost all sports.

Every sports activity requisites different sets of skills to cope with the drills and water skiing is no exception. Certainly, balance plays a vital role in this activity. Balance stems from determined concentration and unwavering focus. And of course, concentration is achieved only when your heart is in it. First, have the passion for the sport and then it is only natural that the other traits would follow. After all, the mind is where the heart is!

You can mold water skiing the way you want it. The rules of the engagement are for fun and safety.

No one stops another from trying to innovate. Once you take to the sport, always remember that an individual found it and promoted it. You could be the special one who could make it better or even more spectacular.

Try out your permutation and combinations on the flowing and still waters and see what you can do.


Clickbank Products

"International Talk Like a Pirate Day"

September 19 be "International Talk Like a Pirate Day" AARRGG

A little video to help you on your way matey.

[All Hope Abandon, Ye Who Enter Here To This Pirate Cove For More Treasure]

Upcoming Events in Sydney - September

Whats On!

Kids in the Park – School Holiday Program

Where: Sydney Olympic Park
For all the details, click here

ART AND ABOUT SYDNEY 2012 – IN COLOUR

When: 21 September – 21 October
Location: Various Sydney locations

The theme for Art & About Sydney 2012 is “In Colour”, which looks at how we process colour and how it affects and inspires us, both as individuals and as a city.
We encourage people to join in the colour and fun from 21 September to 21 October when our streets come alive with works from international and Australian artists, curators, major cultural institutions and the people of Sydney.
See the website for full program details artandabout.com.au

WILLIAM STREET LANEWAY FESTIVAL

When: 29 September
Location: William Street, Paddington

The William Street Laneway Festival is a true Sydney first. With no car access for the day, retailers and the community have the opportunity to reclaim this unique shopping precinct! William Street transforms into a canvas for a festival encompassing fashion, music, food and community. The public will have access to installations and one day only offers from the unique and eclectic stores that make up this Paddington gem.
For more details click here

-->
Clickbank Products

Water Ski Tricks and treats

Attached to a board and being pulled at high speed by a boat along water body might not be too appealing to many, but those who swear by the fun that water skiing brings on are many.

The added attraction is the possibility of being able to perform various 

tricks and stunts while being pulled by a boat.

The speed of the boat ensures that the skier is afloat while at the same time gives the person the ability to jump, stand on one leg, or do other such things. A popular trick is using the hands to stand on the water.

A skier uses his legs to hook onto the rope that is attached to the boat. Using palms, he stands upside-down and allows himself to be dragged. There are several other forms of tricks, the most common one being standing on one leg.

This is what most first-timers would try to do as soon as they think they have got a hang of the activity. Often, it ends up in humorous situations.

Jumping over a ramp is also an eminently enjoyable trick. A skier is pulled onto a ramp that is kept at an angle to the water body. The ramp, facing the sky, gives the skier the elevation required to be suspended in the air for a few seconds.

Before splashing down, the skier can do some stunts like somersault or twists and often draw huge response from an audience. Show skiing is another captivating and delightful activity.

 

Water Ski Equipment

Four basic types of water skis are available on the market:

* Combination: The most common types of water skis sold today are combination skis. The skis have a wider tip, so they're the best style to learn on and are preferred by beginners and advance skiers alike.

* Slalom skis: Used by skiers who prefer to use just one ski. By skiing on one ski, the athlete is able to make sharp turns and reach faster speeds.  Recreational slalom skis have a wider tail and a flatter bottom to make it easier to get up and ride straight, while advanced skis have a more tapered tail with beveled edges and a tunnel bottom. These are more difficult to ski on, but will take the skier on a much faster ride.

* Trick skis: Extreme athletes use trick skis to pull off the most outrageous stunts. Trick skis are for spinning, jumping and busting extreme moves in (or over) the water. These are shorter and wider than other style of water skis, and require much more skill. There are no fins on the bottoms of trick skis, so it's easier to slide and turn, but harder to make controlled moves while water skiing.

* Jump skis look like old-fashioned skis, but are made from a hi-tech composite material to make them stronger. As the name suggests, jump skis are used for jumping off of ramps.

The other essential piece of water skiing equipment is a rope. This is what connects you to the boat. Make sure that you have a proper rope with an appropriate handle. Water ski ropes have a flexible elastic quality, so they're able to change speeds and move with the skier. In normal conditions, polypropylene ropes will stretch two to three percent of their standard length of seventy inches.

The comfort of the rope handle is very important, and every water skier has his or her personal preference. Recreational water ski handles usually have a plastic or rubber grip. The plastic molded handles are strong and durable, and will float when dropped in the water. High-performance handles are generally comprised of an aluminum bar covered with a comfortable rubber grip. The construction is lighter, but more comfortable and durable than a molded plastic handle. Higher performance handles are hollow, so they sink when dropped in the water.

It's suggested that you wear goggles while water skiing, especially if you need to wear your eyeglasses. Protective goggles will stop water and debris going into your eyes, and will prevent your glasses from flying off and sinking if you fall into the water.

Water skiing is great exercise and a super fun way to enjoy a sunny day with friends. Strap on a lifejacket, grab some skis and make the most of your day on the water.

Clickbank Products

Water Skiing Lessons

The basics of water skiing seem simple to the inexperienced skier:  hang on to the rope, and let the boat do the work as you enjoy a cool glide over the water.  There is a little bit more to it than that, but beginners can easily become experienced skiers by taking some water skiing lessons.

Many people learn to water ski on family holidays.  Of course it's fun to learn with friends, but you may not always receive the best level of instruction.  You can find professional instructors who are committed to making your first water skiing experience a fun and memorable one.  Check local lakeside resorts or coastal towns to see if water skiing lessons are available in your area.

The best way to learn water skiing basics is to start on land.  This can seem strange, but it's the ideal place for you to become comfortable with techniques, body position fundamentals and the safety precautions that are necessary in water skiing.  Once you and your instructor are confident in your understanding of water skiing basics on land, you can then move into the water.  

Some water skiing lessons will involve a device called a static boom that's attached to the side of the boat. This offers stability for you, and allows your instructor to keep a close eye on your technique. 

This Video shows use of the Boom

First-time water skiing experiences are most special for younger skiers.  If their first experience is a bad one, they'll probably never want to try it again.  Children need to learn from a facility that emphasizes safety and understands the special needs of children, and provides instruction in a nurturing environment.  Children's water skiing lessons often involve a second instructor who will ski alongside the student to provide guidance, support and additional safety precaution.  

Facilities that teach beginners how to water ski tend to have the highest quality of equipment, and generally provide proper gear designed to help the student to enjoy a safe and fun ride.  Safety should always come first, so follow your instructions carefully.

If someone you know will be giving you water skiing lessons, remember to start out on a small, private body of water.  Be sure that you are skiing clear of any other boats or people.  You need to start off without any distractions.

Water skiing lessons are essential for any beginner, whether a young child or a nervous (or know-it-all) adult.  

Don't be too proud to accept water skiing lessons from a professional.  

Their professional advice will make your first water skiing experience 

a fun and memorable one.

Clickbank Products

Waterski Primer

Water skiing is great fun and a good exercise. It was long back in the year 1928 when an eighteen year old boy named Ralph Samuelson invented water skiing. Ralph Samuelson of Minnesota projected the thought that if you could ski on snow, then you can also ski on water. As for appropriate water skiing apparatus, for his first skis Ralph attempted barrel staves, then snow skis, and lastly Ralph shaped the first devoted water skis from lumber. Ralph made his bindings from leather strips and used a long window sash as a ski rope.

Watch an expert water skier get up on water skis, give hand signals, and travel over wakes in this instructional water skiing video for beginning water skiers.

Water skiing is really a great fun - at times it seems just like you are flying and it is really a soothing experience. As you slither across the water at top speed, cool water splatters over and around you. It is an amusing and thrilling sport that people of all ages can take part in. All you need to be good at water skiing is a little practice and whole lot of confidence in your self. Oh, and a boat.

There are number of water skis that are available in the market. You will need to seek advice regarding the appropriate choice for you. The most common water ski used is the combination water ski. This has a wider tip, and are the best products available for beginners as well as experts. Another ski available for water skiing is the trick skis. The skiers who want to go for busting, spinning and jumping during water skiing use these skis. These skis are shorter and wider than other types of water skis, and need much more expertise. There are no fins on the base of trick skis, so it is easier to glide and revolve, but more difficult to make controlled moves while water skiing.

Another option available for those going for water skiing is the slalom skis. People who want to make sharp turns and want to reach a great speed while water skiing use these skis. Slalom skis have a wider end and a flatter base - this makes it easier to get up and ride straight, while superior skis have a more tapered tail with beveled edges and a channel bottom. These are more difficult to ski on, but will take the skier faster. You can also go for jump skis that are basically designed for those who plan to take lot of jumps while they water ski.

One must take special care of the rope that one uses during water skiing. Water skiing ropes should be flexible elastic so that the water skier is able to change speeds easily. One should use a plastic molded handle to hold the rope. It is always advisable to wear goggles while water skiing. Protective goggles will stop water and rubbish from going into your eyes, and will stop your glasses (if you wear one) from flying off and sinking if you fall into the water.

Clickbank Products

Water Skiing - Origins

Water skiing is an extremely popular sport and recreation activity. It involves attaching a board to the feet and being pulled along the water's surface by a boat.

The skier, as the person performing the activity is known, holds onto the end of a rope, which is fastened to the boat. As the boat pulls the skier, he or she, then in water with a board attached to the feet, tries to stand on the water's surface.

Expert skiers are also known to ski barefoot. The most difficult part of water skiing is probably trying to find and maintain the balance on the water. Many people have been hurt while trying to learn the nuances of the activity.

Nevertheless, it continues to be an extremely popular form of activity in most beaches, rivers and lakes, especially those promoting themselves as tourism hotspots.

Water Skiing is known to have originated in Wisconsin, USA. Ralph Samuelson, who is considered to be the pioneer of water skiing, was the person who had tried several tricks and came out with variations to the ordinary method of just being pulled along the water.

A wannabe skier should practice on land before taking to the water. The person can try to maintain balance by standing on the toes. The first requirement is of course the presence of a water body and a boat.

It is advisable to start skiing with two skies, instead of one. This exciting sport can be a dangerous one too; therefore, necessary caution is advised before you take the plunge, literally!

Clickbank Products

South Australia holidays

South Australia. A destination with depth of character. Venture further than the famed South Australian cellar doors of the Barossa and Clare Valley and you'll soon discover a diverse and inspiring holiday destination. Experience Adelaide, with its many parks, dazzling ocean sunsets and laid-back atmosphere. Take a tram ride to the picturesque beach side precinct of Glenelg or hire a car and explore the famous Murray River and stunning seafood of the Eyre Peninsula. South Australia is also home to one of Australia's most pristine wildernesses, Kangaroo Island, just a short scheduled flight from Adelaide. Be spoilt for choice for your next holiday and explore South Australia. Adelaide holidays from $ 374 pp * Return airfares 3 nights accommodation Barossa holidays from $ 433 pp * Return airfares to Adelaide 2 nights accommodation Kangaroo Island holidays from $ 664 pp * Return airfares to Adelaide and Kangaroo Island Return transfers 2 nights accommodation Breakfast daily Click here to book or call 13 15 16.

"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou

Life is an Adventure'

Life is an Adventure on IBS