Making the Most of It

South Africa continues to enjoy the tremendous goodwill of holidaymakers worldwide. While travel to most long haul destinations declined last year, this country experienced an enviable 6.5% growth, according to the World Tourism Organisation. The growth was jump started by the transformation heralded by the demise of apartheid and onset of democratic rule in 1994. Apartheid polices of racial discrimination protected by law greatly offended enlightened opinion in many parts of the world. And the enemies of these policies launched a very effective campaign against visiting South Africa. So it came to be that South Africa, a truly superior destination by any standards, remained hidden to many until the dark cloud of apartheid blew over.

The wildlife safari is a key item on the South Africa tourist menu. Those who chose to see Africa’s wildlife here will not be disappointed. The game viewing experience is excellent at the top rated Kruger National Park and at other well-regarded game parks in the country. Wildlife is protected in over 300 public and private game and nature reserves. SANParks (South African National Parks) manages 20 national parks spread throughout the country.

Kruger is the place to see big game particularly the “big five” of buffalo, elephant, lion, leopard and rhinoceros. Most of the other parks have specialised in conserving particular species or are identified with specific animals. The Greater Addo National Park, for example, is the only place you find elephants in the Cape region. Some of the parks along the 3000 km coastline host whales and dolphins.

South Africa’s wildlife conservation policies are advanced and highly successful. An initiative targeting wildlife sanctuaries cutting across international boundaries hopes to replicate this success elsewhere. This is in recognition of the fact that wildlife is no respecter of territorial lines covenanted between men. Transfrontier conservation areas have been identified in six regions along the boundaries with Lesotho, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana and Mozambique.

In South Africa, the best places to see wildlife is at private game reserves and national parks. Private game reserves are not as expansive as the publicly owned national parks. Their key selling point is the superior accommodation and ranger escorted personalized tours. The national parks on the other hand are popular with self-drive tourists. They offer accommodation in a limited number of enclosed rest-camps, in thatched rondavels, bungalows and chalets. Tour companies also offer packages, including transport and guide in the national parks. See our South Africa Tours page to view info and book one of our package safari offers.

South Africa is home to numerous species of land animals, including the celebrated “big five” - rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard and elephant. Most members of the big five league are undoubtedly charismatic. But this is not the reason they are so named - otherwise I would petition that the buffalo be ejected. The reason is that these are the animals the early safari hunters found most challenging. The idea of viewing game without killing had not gained widespread acceptance then. The arrogant practice of killing animals as a sport is very unpopular today with those who value the right to life and dignity of animals as full members of our planet.

In addition to the disagreeable aesthetics, hunting brings about a bad relationship between man and the animals. I will illustrate this with an incident narrated to me by a guide on a recent visit to a country (not South Africa) that allows hunting. The guide recalled an occasion when he was taken by surprise to see an elephant charging at his vehicle. This was contrary to his experience with elephants in that region. This unusual behaviour arose because hunters had wounded the elephant. The elephant hereafter dealt with vehicles and humans as enemies. It is regrettable that South Africa’s otherwise stellar conservation policies, allow the practice of hunting in certain areas.

Game viewing is usually done from the comfort of a vehicle but walking, horseback, camel and canoeing safaris are increasingly becoming popular. If you wish to view game in any of these modes, it is required that you be accompanied by an armed ranger. Full blood adventure types think that watching game aboard a vehicle is for wimps. Walking safaris are designed for such hardy souls. And it is the reason that the thoughtful folks at SANParks maintain a network of wilderness trails in the parks. The typical walking safari will have a maximum of eight persons with ages ranging from 12 to 60 years and last for 2 nights and 3 days. Participants must obviously be physically fit.

Without doubt, the best place to see wildlife, especially the “big five” is Kruger National Park. This is the flagship of South Africa’s national parks. The Kruger was created in 1898 and owes its existence to the vision of Paul Kruger at one time president of the Transvaal Republic that later became part of the Union of South Africa. He was ahead of his time in recognizing the need to create a sanctuary to preserve and protect wildlife. Even at that time it was clear that the hunter with his rifle would soon annihilate all the animals.

Kruger offers a diversity of animals unrivalled anywhere else in South Africa. In addition to the big five, some of the interesting game you find here include - hippo, jackal, giraffe, zebra, buffalo, warthog, numerous antelope species, cheetah, wild dog and spotted hyena. The park is home to more than 140 mammal and 500 bird species. Kruger spreads over nearly 20, 000 sq km of unspoilt scrubland punctuated by acacia and mopane trees. The botanic biodiversity is vast and over 336 tree species are found here.

Accommodation within Kruger is provided at self-catering rest camps that offer good but basic lodging. There are also some smaller bush lodges and bushveld camps offering more luxurious stay. Accommodation ranges from rondavel huts and safari tents to family bungalows and cottages and luxury guesthouses. In addition, there are caravan and tent camping sites at some of the rest camps. Most of the camps are supplied with electric power and telephone. Other facilities include shops, kitchen facilities, restaurants and petrol stations.

Kruger has 3,000 kilometers of a well-maintained road network and is ideal for those seeking a self-drive experience. The park is relatively inexpensive and easily accessible. It is therefore hugely popular and draws over 600,000 visitors annually. It in particular gets very crowded over the school holidays in July and December. Since there are a maximum number of vehicles allowed into the park daily, you are well advised to make advance arrangements if you plan to visit then. Game viewing is good year round, but the best time will be from April to September when the bush is sparse.

Kruger is located 330 km to the northeast of Johannesburg. If you have no stomach for a long drive, take one of the daily flights from Johannesburg to Phalaborwa Airport, Hoedspruit Airport or Kruger/Mpumalanga International Airport. If you wish to rent a car at either Durban or Johannesburg, visit our South Africa Car Rental page for your reservation. Towards the western and southern sides of Kruger National Park, there are a number of highly rated private game reserves. This includes Sabi Sand, Mala Mala, Londolozi and Timbavati game reserves. Here you will find some of the finest game lodges in Africa.

The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is another unique game sanctuary. This huge park is a combination of the two parks -the former Gemsbok National Park in Botswana and Kalahari Gemsbok National Park in South Africa. Covering over 36,000 sq km, it is one of the biggest wildlife conservation areas anywhere in the world. The landscape is marked by red sand dunes and sparse thornbush vegetation. The environment of this park provides outstanding opportunities for unforgettable wildlife photos.

This park is host to the famous black-maned Kalahari lions. You will also see gemsbok, springbok, eland, blue wildebeest, cheetahs, wild dogs, jackals, bat-eared foxes and leopards. Birding is also excellent and of 297 species recorded, 96 are resident. The Kgalagadi is not for the fainthearted -it is far from anywhere and getting there is a slog. It is located 904 km to the west of Johannesburg. All accommodation in the park is managed by SANParks. You will get the best experience if you visit between June and July when the weather is coolest.

On safari, remember to carry a pair of binoculars to help you spot animals. Also carry a camera and other equipment as a means of recording your safari. It is the only way to shut up those who doubt the story of your encounter with the African wildlife. Carry along a decent pair sunglasses to shield you from glare, especially if you travel to the semi desert Kgalagadi. Dressing well means cool clothing (such as light cottons and linen) for summer and warm for winter.

Andrew Muigai is editor of AfricaPoint Insider online newsletter. It is part of Africapoint.com - the Africa travel website that has helped thousands of travelers discover Africa. You can view more info on South Africa Safaris at the website. www.africapoint.com/tours1/southatour.htm

If you would like to know about a “secret” way of buying any business at a
significantly lower price than you normally would, then this article will show you
how.

There are only two things you really need to understand if you want to buy a
business.

1.) The first is a profit and loss statement.

2.) And the second is a balance sheet.

Neither of them is rocket science and you can learn both of them quickly and
cheaply, even free, online or from taking a short class somewhere.

Today, I want to talk about the balance sheet.

A balance sheet is basically a document that tells us in business what the assets are,
what the liabilities are, what the net worth is (or how much does the owner own),
which is basically the net book value.

What you really find is this is how you figure out mathematically it’s assets, which is
the little things you can clutch - the cash, the equipment, etc.

We then subtract the thing called liabilities — what you owe on these items or what
you owe on the business. And then you end up with a thing we call the net worth, or
how much the owner has in this business as basically a book value.

Now, here’s the “sexy” thing about the whole balance sheet thing:

When you decide to buy the business you are looking at, the balance sheet is your
secret negotiating tool.

Here’s why:

I use the information in the balance sheet after we’ve arrived at a price, let’s say
$5,000,000 as an example, to then go back to the seller and review the business
with them asset by asset.

And if the assets on the balance sheet don’t make too much sense, or we don’t
believe we want to buy them, we negotiate with the seller to have the seller subtract
those from the price and have the seller keep those assets.

That way, we end up lowering the amount of money we have to pay for the
company.

Do you see why I say this simple balance sheet is so vital to understand?

When buying a business, it is sometimes the dry and “boring” stuff that gives you
the most leverage and power in making the deal.

I met a lady who said she received a notice in the mail from a company offering plaques of various animals. She knew her daughter would love them as a gift and ordered them. This lady said, “I don’t know how they got my name but I sure am pleased to have found out about those beautiful plaques, my daughter just loves them.”

THAT is direct mail advertising at work.

If you have a product or service that needs exposure you can mail 1,000 or more sales messages at reduced postage rates. That’s a savings of at least 14 cents on lettersize and 51 cents on oversize for each piece by using Canada Post’s Addressed Admail postal option. Postage could be even lower but that depends on your list.

Mailing in quantities of 1,000 or more can present you with challenges you never thought about. That is why Sasha Peters has written a simple, easy to use guide book that explains all the intricacies of using addressed admail. Your list, the various postal options and how to work with a mailing service all work together to make your mailings go smoothly.

The thing you have to keep in mind is that before this book there was no one source for learning all you need to know. You basically had to learn through trial and expensive error.

Sasha has been in the mailing business for 16 years and discovered that businesses need something to guide them through the processes. With technology and mechanization advancements, there is an even greater need to understand how it all flows. Mailing costs can increase from $25 to $80 a thousand all because the envelope has a flap in the wrong position.

One company’s mailing costs were decreased quite substantially. They mailed 20,000 newsletters bi-monthly. By alerting them to a postal option they weren’t aware of, they saved $2,500 in envelopes and $1,200 in mail processing fees for each mailing, a $22,200 annual savings!

Whether beginner or advanced direct mail user, getting the whole picture ensures your mail a) gets delivered, and b) goes out at the lowest postage rate.

This report was written by Sasha Peters who has 16 years experience in the direct mail industry. She is the author of Smooth MAILING, a comprehensive guidebook for using Addressed Admail in Canada. Visit www.bulkmailcanada.com for more bulk mail information and free tips on how to mail in large volume.

Tel: 604-729-1300
Email: info@bulkmailcanada.com

The Florida Registered Paralegal Program has begun. Already, 300 people have shown interest for the Registered Paralegal Program and more are anticipated to download it from the Florida Bar’s website.

A $150 application fee is applicable. Successful applicants will receive welcome packets and certificates by mail in about two weeks. It is imperative that the welcome packets are read thoroughly, as they will explain the disciplinary system, the Code of Ethics and Responsibility and in greater detail, the two-tier system that has been built for paralegals.

Paralegals with education, training or work experience and who, under the supervision of lawyers, perform delegated, substantive work for which the lawyers are responsible encompass the first tier.

Paralegals who belong to tier two have to fulfill work experience requirements and education or possess a certificate from the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) or the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA).

However, in the first three years of the program, paralegals that do not meet the education or certification requirements but demonstrate sufficient experience will be eligible to become Florida Registered Paralegals under a grandfathering provision.

The web site for the Florida Bar lists the recipients of this description.

So that one can continue to carry the title as a Florida Registered Paralegal, completion of 30 hours of continuing education courses will be necessary. This is to be finished during a three-year time and five credits are to be in professionalism or ethics courses.

Currently, Florida Registered Paralegals, as well as Registered Paralegals in the other 49 states, are to be monitored by an attorney. The attorney is responsible for the paralegal.

There are many studies that have shown that seems to be logical reason behind male hair loss. Often it has been stated that this type of male pattern balding is genetically passed on. Male pattern ALOPECIA is often characterized by a receding hairline and or hair loss on the top of the head. Variables like poor diet, stress, health concerns can all contribute to male hair loss. Hair is replaced at different rates and thus it is why some consumers will be able to do take some hair loss prevention. Male pattern baldness affects many of us especially after the age of fifty.

Baldness is a term designed to that is the most common type of hair loss caused by hormones, which affect the front and central region of the scalp. Often is it resembles lacking hair where it should be growing. Going bald is a fact for many humans on this planet. Hair loss usually starts in the temple areas and or in the crown spots. Initial thinning of hair starts and progresses over a number of years. Most men are genetically predisposed to male pattern baldness. It is the effect of hormones on the hair follicle that produces male pattern baldness. Testosterone, a hormone that is present in high levels in males after puberty, is converted to (DHT) by an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. DHT has an adverse affect on the hair follicles. Acting on a hormone receptor on the hair follicle it slows down hair production and produces weak, shorter hair, sometimes it stops hair growth from the follicle completely. This process gradually depletes your stock of hair and is normal hair loss.

There are many things you can do in order to help with hair loss. One is to learn more on why you could be losing your hair. Reading literature is a good start. Understanding hair loss can be a traumatic experience. Also you can learn more about the types of diets, routines and options that you have to improve your existing scalp.

Alan Zunec is a successful publisher on the topic of Male hair loss where you can learn more about baldness.

The troubles of physically going to a betting room can be sufficient reason to forget about it altogether. You are not required to leave your home to have a bash at online casino games because you’ll do everything from your domestic environment if you own a PC and broadband internet access. On the other hand, I’d recommend you go on reading for there’s quite a lot of rules that you need to get informed about regarding online casino games, the more so if you are a beginner regarding this subject.

Learn everything there is to know about internet online casino bonus here.

The top priority that a smooth web high roller positively must pursue is an online casino games web site of the kind that can guarantee the best winning odds. See to it the online casino games web site is connected to a reputable certified public accountants firm to examine their specific online wagers payout percentage routinely. You should always be sure to ensure that the online roulette web site is actually licensed, e.g. by checking up on the govt. authorization as proffered on the casino site’s About page. If you can’t detect any govt. authorization on a targeted online roulette web site, do not attempt to risk a game there.

Yet another tip is obviously to try your hand at first with negligible amounts rather than dole out great amounts of money instantly. Check out the operability of this specific online roulette operator prior to running some grave risk– the more so money loss… Finally, do mind this particular information regarding online texas holdem. It can only be to bear in mind always that gambling in online casinos should always be about fun and pleasure and less about making money. Betting in an online casino is definitely no profession, but a diversion that is supposed to help you feel chipper and living sweet. So just having gone with these guidelines, you can go ahead surrender to the charms of online roulette!

What’s It All About?

There’s no point in diving into a load of detail without first understanding how all the pieces fit together to create your online business. If you are already familiar with the basic concepts, or making loads of online profits you may want to skip this article.

A good starting point is to explain what is meant by:

“Making Online Profit From Selling Info Products”

Examples of info products include digital products such as computer software, e-books, which may also contain audio or video material. If you are serious about making money online you will then need to create a mini web site with at least a sales and order page to sell your info products.

Finally, you need to get potential customers to visit your mini site by promoting it on the internet. Although this is a very simplistic description of what is involved, it will form the basis of building your fully functional business system, as you will find out as I add more details.

I can’t turn you into a successful internet marketer in a few short weeks. That’s totally unrealistic, nobody can! Success comes from persistence and hard work, so don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

By the time you have mastered the 8 simple yet amazingly powerful success steps I am about to reveal, you will have gained the skills necessary to perform the basic functions of internet marketing and create an online info products business. You will also have built a solid foundation from which you can continue to expand your internet skills and grow your online business.

The 8 Success Steps To Creating A Profitable Online Business:

#1 - Decide on Your Niche Market / Theme

#2 - Find Suitable Info Products To Sell

#3 - Register Your Sites Name

#4 - Select Your Hosting Service

#5 - Open Accounts With Payment Services

#6 - Design & Create A Mini-Sales Site

#7 - Upload Your Site & Info Products To Your Server

#8 - Promote Your Site To Potential Customers

It is important that you action each step before proceeding to the next one. Nobody can guarantee your success … it is your personal responsibility to take action and put all these things into practice. It’s not difficult to do, but you need to persist until you succeed. It’s not only what you know that counts, it’s what you DO that determines your success!

There are many sources of information and help available on the internet to help you achieve the success steps outlined above.

With today’s economy, and the layoffs occurring as a result of these economic conditions, more and more people are opting to start their own business. Due to the low start up costs, the prevalence of home-based businesses is on the rise, many of these started by husband and wife teams.

With the move from the corporate world to the home-based, couples are finding that a new set of problems are occurring. In the corporate arena, two major areas of importance are profits and communication with employees. This is done through evaluations, reviews, meetings, or a company newsletter outlining company policies and news. All administrators realize that a happy and informed employee is more efficient and productive; in effect, increasing their profits.

Research on martial separation and divorce indicates two of the main causes of separation and divorce are communication and money, very much like corporate concerns. In the past, spouses worked in their respective jobs, and came home to discuss what was going on in the work place. In effect, they were sounding boards for one another. With the move to the home front, especially with starting up businesses together, the sounding boards are gone.

In effect, placing couples in a start-up business can cause a myriad of problems, previously seen only in the corporate world, in addition to the normal stumbling blocks of starting up a business. Too many couples working together are not practicing good communication skills. Lack of communication, can cause one spouse to feel that he or she is carrying all the business and monetary responsibility.

Keep Your Marriage Solid

If you and your spouse have decided to run a business together, be sure to discuss and outline the following:

Delineate responsibility. Decide who is going to handle what business matters. In addition, be sure you both know how to accomplish these functions. Unfortunately, illness occurs - you need to be able to back up each other in all aspects of the business. For example, if one of you does all the bank statements, be sure your spouse understands how this is accomplished, so if necessary, they can also handle this responsibility. If you have a set procedure you follow and a way you want it done, make up an outline, so it is accomplished in the manner you want.

Marketing, return calls, daily correspondence, invoicing, weekly and/or monthly expenses, supplies, calendaring, appointments, deposits, bank statements, implementation of the business plan, attendance at meetings (e.g. Chamber mixers, National groups, User groups, etc.) all need to be taken care of. You will have to split these responsibilities between you. Again, be sure you know how each is implemented, so in an emergency, you can back each other up.

Delineate responsibilities according to likes and dislikes and who will do the best job. We all have our little niches, and if it is something we like and do well, we can accomplish it better and more efficiently. Once the responsibilities have been delineated, make up a schedule for each item you both need to deal with. Again, you must be able to act as each others back up.

Marketing is a major obstacle. Most individuals do not like to use cold calling as a medium to promote their business. Be sure both of you are involved. Do not let one person handle this. In addition, develop a marketing strategy. Will you market daily, weekly, monthly? What kind of marketing will you do-advertising, cold calls, direct mail, etc. Again, be sure you both are involved. This is important because money and marketing are tied together. The more you market, the more aware the marketplace will be of the services you offer. If only one individual is marketing and monies are fluctuating, there is more tension between the partners to make the business successful. No one individual should have to carry this on their shoulders, or perceive that they do. In addition, with both spouses marketing, one person cannot blame the other for the success or failure of the business.

The Most Important Tool

Remember, the most important tool you both have is communication. Don’t expect your spouse to read your mind. Keep the marriage and business separate. It’s difficult, especially if you are home-based, but it can be done. If you have a problem with the way your spouse is accomplishing a task in the business environment, discuss it immediately. Do not wait. Do not let this build into anger that is transferred to your personal relationship. Remember that keeping your business and personal relationships separate is very important to the survival of both your business and your marriage.

In Part II of this article we will discuss how to implement this strategy.

Copyright 2000, DeFiore Enterprises

Interested in having your own successful, home based creative real estate investing business? Chuck and Sue have been helping folks start successful home based businesses for over 19 years, and we can help you too! To see how, visit http://www.homebusinesssolutions.com for the latest FREE tips and tricks, educational products and coaching in creative real estate investing and home based businesses. No time to visit the site? Subscribe to our “how to” Home Business Solutions Digest, it’s like having your own personal coach: subscribeHBS@homebusinesssolutions.com

Dongs will probably be difficult to use into a partnership Some people will probably see the introduction of vibrators In a beautiful marriage scary & it will bring up questions such as “is there something wrong with me”? Nevertheless sex toys will probably be a fascinating and satisfying thing and sexual toys also help to build closeness between you & your wife. Make sure you try Anal Beads.

Figuring out which dildo to choose can be an adventure. A time where you and your girlfriend can sit down and communicate about what you together want out of the event & choose a sex play toy together that meets both of your needs. Do not go straight in for the large gigantic sexual aids, just start off easily.

Once you have chosen a vibe and have had the delight of unwrapping your new sexual aid you and your partner need to set the mood. Dimmed light and light music are the perfect platform to start off any sexual experience. Make the time wonderful, unplug the mobile phone, turn off the DVD player & focus fully on your lover. Lengthy sensual stimulation before bringing out the vibrating toy is a lovely idea. Sensual & loving touch heightens the sexual sensations & helps towards a relaxing and enjoyable session.

And please do not forget to orgasm, have tons of fun & enjoy it.

The topic of eastern influences on western interiors is a very broad subject. Many countries, such as China, Japan, Tibet, etc., have had an influence. Therefore, I have chosen to focus on one country for this article, Japan.

Characteristics of Japanese Interiors

1. COLOR:

Japanese interiors generally use neutral, natural colors, to provide a simple background. Interiors emphasize architecture, and as a result, provide a sense of geometric order. In addition, natural colors minimize a feeling of clutter, which is also essential to eastern design and its philosophy of simplicity. When a statement is made in a Japanese interior, it is usually through a single strong exclamation of color or a predominant texture.

Eastern art colors are pure. Unlike western art, which mixes color and refines sketches, eastern art is original. This means the initial color and/or brush stroke is the final result. Western art is often complex, whereas eastern art is simple, strong, and graphic.

Black is often considered a “non-color” in western society, yet, it is very important in eastern interiors. The use of black in oriental rooms lends definition and form. For example, black is a color in its own right, when used with white rice paper in a shoji screen.

2. TEXTURE & CONTRAST:

Some Japanese textures and materials that immediately come to mind are cedar, rice paper, maple, bamboo, stone, and woven wicker. One might also think of textured silk, tatami floor mats, and the elaborate needlework of kimonos and obi’s.

Japanese culture seeks to balance opposites in all aspects of life (yin and yang), and interiors are no exception. Interior finishes can be highly opposing and contrasting, and yet achieve balance. Examples are, highly polished floors with heavily textured mats, a lacquered box displayed on top of a rough wooden table, or white pebbles on a polished black granite ledge around a tub.

3. DISPLAY:

Western homes typically use an object on the perimeter as a focal point, such as a fireplace, a painting, or an elaborate window treatment. Eastern interiors, on the other hand, focus on a central object, such as a hearth (irori), a garden, an altar, or an elaborate still life composition.

Japanese homes also commonly have display alcoves, called tokonoma. Objects placed in these alcoves generate two types of feelings, either (1) a natural or organic feel, by displaying an odd number of objects together, or (2) an ordered and disciplined environment by using an even quantity. For example, three calligraphy brushes in a cup would be organic, and four pebbles on a dish would be disciplined.

Japanese displays are fluid. In other words, a Japanese alcove may display a scroll one-week, and a set of pots the next. Eastern cultures tend to store and rotate objects. (This is probably for two reasons; (1) limited space, and, (2) visual pollution, outside the home, as the population increases.) Japanese displays are a reflection of the season, celebration, or honored guest. This minimal approach focuses on the quality and craftsmanship.

Instead of rotating objects, westerners tend to “display it all.” (I guess its because they we’re afraid someone whose given us something may come over and we won’t have it out?) A westerner would also tend to add to a display to create a balance, whereas an easterner would create harmony by taking away. To easterners, less is more, order is harmony, and there is a place for everything and everything is in its place.

This concludes Part I. Part II of Eastern Influences on Western Interiors: Japanese Décor will focus on the Tea Ceremony, Furnishings, and Antiques or Reproductions.

About The Author

Catherine McGivern is a professional interior designer who hosts www.aboutdecorating.net. About Decorating is devoted to home decorating information and resources. And, to helping visitors find the best decorating products at economical prices. The site also features a free newsletter, and free 20MB community web sites.