Categories
Favorite Get aways

I love you Paris

Been to Paris, France and was amazed by it. One of the known attractions is the Eiffel tower, you cannot be wrong in spending a day there. I loved every moment of my stay in Paris and the day I spend on the Eiffel tower. It is an amazing structure and it always awe’s you to see this amazing structure and to know that it was built in a time when we had none of the modern cranes that we see today. The video below is just a glimpse of my visit to this beautiful place.

Categories
Homestay

Homestay

Homestay is gaining prevalance in the south Indian state of Kerala, this evergreen state is can be compared to the carribean of the east, the beaches are lined with coconut palms and the main land consists of a number of rice plantations, rubber plantations, spices, lakes, hillstations and of course plane lands. This is an amazing place to be, if one has to get a sense of the wonderful fauna and flora and enjoy the tropics and its exotic cousine it is a good idea to find a homestay, where a family will take care of your needs in terms of food, accomodation and immideate transportation. Some of these homestays are reasonably priced and you may want to contact them for their rates, like in any business make sure you are dealing with genuine homestays. Call them directly if the websites provide a contact phone number. The price of these homesatys depends on the customers, it would be quite helpful if you know some one who have used these accomodations. I had a friend who called to talk to one of these homestays and could actually get a decent rate for two weeks stay. Some of these home stays do not include food, but however they provide fully furnished apartments with kitchen and utensils, such accomodations are mostly in the cities where there are a number of new highrise buildings. You could be your own chef here. Post a comment if you would like some one to talk on your behalf, this is just a courtsey offer for other travellers.

Some useful websites

As in any matter in life make sure you research properly before making your final decisions, make informed choices. Try to read between the lines on these websites and ask relevant question before you sign up. The sites suggested are in no way connected to this website.

Categories
Local transport

Bixi Bikes

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Bixi – Torontos public bike system
If you want to see the city on the bike this is an excellent means of transport. The bikes are available 24 hours a day, Rent it only for the period you need; drop it off at the nearest location no worries. If you are planning to travel by VIA rail, they give discounts to bixi riders. Rain or shine or snow bikes are available for all the seasons. Mind you these bikes are only available for the cities.
Other cities that offer bixi bikes are Montreal, Ottawa and London in Ontario.

This is one of the most economical modes of urban transport. A one year membership is only 95C$’s.

What to do and how to get your bike – The following information is obtained from the bixi website

  • Go to the pay station, choose the icon representing a bike, then read and accept the Terms and Conditions.
  • Pay by inserting your credit card (Visa, MasterCard or AMEX). A $250 deposit is placed on your credit card for 10 days. Your credit card serves to identify you as a user; a maximum of two (2) 24 or 72-hour accesses per credit card is permitted at one time.
  • Print or view your unlocking code on the screen. It is valid for 5 minutes. If you take longer than this period of time, repeat the process
  • Enter your unlocking code on the keypad of the bike dock of your choice.
  • When you see the green light turn on*, pull the handlebars firmly toward you to release the bike.
  • Your 30 included minutes start now!
  • Return the bike to any BIXI station. Push the front wheel firmly into any empty bike dock.
  • Make sure the green light turns on* after having locked in the bike. You must wait 2 minutes before taking out another bike.
  • To obtain a new unlocking code during the 24 or 72-hour period, start over again by inserting your credit card again: the system will recognize it and no additional fees will be charged to your card if you make trips under 30 minutes.

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Some links to reviews

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Categories
Favorite Get aways

Getaways

South India, Kerala or Gods own country.
There are amazing beaches and some exciting traditional and historic sites to view. Here is coir making a dying small scale industry.

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