We all like to think of animals as our cute and cuddly counterparts here on Earth, however spare a thought for those rather unfortunate looking animals who have to go through life being described as weird or odd-looking. It is such a shame that we are so judgemental. I happen to find them rather endearing. After all, there is something to be said for championing the underdog! We always go for the under dog, or cat First up on my list of odd animals is the dumbo octopus. Their real ... read more

In this world of international travel, whether for business or for pleasure, you should always remain aware of the cultures around you. Part of being a good representative of your native home is respecting and appreciating that not all people think or feel the same as you do about things. Neither is right or wrong, it is simply a difference. This often comes into play when people travel to destinations whose cultures are dissimilar to their own. Attitudes and beliefs are expressed in words and behaviours. This is one area most savvy travellers are careful with and attempt to adjust ... read more

There are many suggestions offered by the family when conversations around the dinner table turn to holiday destinations. The kids will probably have some sort of entertainment-based suggestions, and the older set will probably want to go somewhere and sit around a lot! All these are fine ideas, and each has its merits. However, you may have something else in mind. The next time it becomes the topic of conversation, throw the idea of eco-tourism into the ring. The kids are likely to groan and the older family members will take on a tired look! However, armed with the following ... read more

WARNING: Before reading any further, please be aware that the links included in the remainder of this article lead to graphic images of extreme sunburn. Most countries are not known for their weather. As countries, they are mild. There are few extremes of heat or cold, consistent precipitation and, in the case of the British, there is a propensity for discussing minute fluctuations in wind chill as if they are indicative of a forthcoming apocalypse. Yet we yearn for the Californian effect, the effervescent sunshine that makes them so damn rich. Somewhere along the way, having a suntan has become confused ... read more

Look out of the window, go on, do it now. Is it raining? Is it sunny? Is it snowing?? It doesn't matter. It's July and you know what the means - it's BBQ time!!! Time to cook that meat...outside! The word barbecue usually conjures up thoughts of spareribs or baby back ribs coated with sweet, finger licking good barbecue sauce. Pork ribs or baby back, beef ribs but other meats we barbecue are sausages, chicken, turkey, veal and suckling pigs.  Among the foods some people barbecue are fish, deer chops, ... read more

Before you go any further, watch this advert. To quote Homer Simpson one further time, ‘It’s funny ‘cause it’s true.’ The summer holidays are, for kids, an extraordinary quest to knock down the doors of fundom. The six week hiatus from the routine of school life is incomparably magnified in their developing minds. For adults, who, let’s not forget, have been children, this perception of time has been lost in the mire of self-doubt, social whims and whiles and sexual hormones that dominate ... read more

A little tip: don’t be playing golf in the middle of July, on a weekend, between midday and 6pm, if there are dark clouds overhead. If you find yourself in that situation, don’t hide under the nearest tree. If it starts raining, throw your golf club as far away as possible and, while still standing, bend over and grab your ankles. Then wait until you can’t hear thunder anymore. Now that is something pretty cool coming from the sky... If, while ... read more

Cruise holidays enable holidaymakers to easily access a vast number of new and interesting places.  A holiday should be a break from every day life, a chance to relax and unwind and get away from all the stresses back home. A cruise is no ordinary holiday.  Many people have different ideas about what a holiday should involve – many want nothing more than soaking up the sun, but others would prefer more activities and action.  Choosing a cruise is a fantastic way of pleasing all members of the family – or alternatively a great way of whisking someone away for a ... read more

We plan our holidays and look forward to them throughout the course of the year.  Some of us may take multiple holidays while others will only take a holiday on special occasions.  The one thing that nobody looks forward to on his or her holiday is illness or injury. Unfortunately, many people each year will be unable to avoid injury during their holiday.  In the majority of cases the injury will be a complete accident; even someone exercising extreme caution would have been unable to prevent the injury from taking place.  Wise people prepare for the financial impact of such an ... read more

When many of us think of a jalapeno pepper, we immediately think about spicy foods.  The reality of the jalapeno pepper is that it really is not as spicy as many of us think it might be.  There are plenty of peppers grown all around the world that put the jalapeno pepper to shame in terms of their ‘hotness’. Why would you eat all these? Cause it's funny to watch! The spiciness of a pepper can actually be measured. There is a chemical compound found in peppers called capsaicin which ... read more