Thank you kindly in advance,

Ramona T., Wellington

Palawan, Philippines – Photo credit

How I envy international teachers! What a life – a new country and culture every few years if you have the wherewithal and ambition for it and, of course, the chance to indulge your wanderlust over the long school holidays.

The problem with your specific request is not one of scarcity, of course, but of abundance. From Taipei you can easily hop to the likes of Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines and find a bucolic one-two beach/hike punch. For the sake of brevity, however, I will enumerate several of the most notable, with key hotels to keep in mind.

Ko Phi Phi, Thailand

The Phi Phi archipelago in Krabi Province is home to some of the most beautiful island scenery in Southeast Asia, let alone Thailand. While common knowledge that the film The Beach was shot on Ko Phi Phi Leh, do not let the backpacker crowds dissuade you. A worthwhile departure from Phuket.

Where to stay: Zeavola Resort & Spa Phi Phi Island

Phi Phi Islands Guide

Ko Samui, Thailand

Meanwhile, on the other side of Thailand, Samui seduces weary travellers with a mix of pristine coast and dense, highland jungle.

Where to stay: Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui

Ko Samui Guide

Langkawi, Malaysia

The Andaman Sea Jewel of Kedah, Malaysia has a picturesque beach for every day of the week and, for rainforest canopy panoramas, the Langkawi Sky Bridge.

Where to stay: The Danna Langkawi Hotel

Langkawi City Guide

Palawan, Philippines

The Philippines spans 7,107 islands but, incredibly, only two natural UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Peerless Palawan is home to both: Tubbataha Reef and Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park.

Where to stay: El Rio Y Mar Resort Palawan

Palawan City Guide

Bohol, Philippines

Bohol is one of the most under-the-radar islands in the Philippines, despite the fact that Chocolate Hills Monument is a foremost national symbol (and on the UNESCO Tentative List) and that tiny, adjacent Panglao is on the verge of a Boracay-like facelift.

Where to stay: Eskaya Beach Resort & Spa Bohol

Bohol City Guide

The Malukus, Indonesia

For a tidy island cluster way, way off the mainstream antenna, you have to turn to Indonesia. With 13,466 islands, the archipelago nation makes the Philippines look small. Inevitably, a few remote diamonds in the rough escape the notice of developers. The Malukus (or Moluccas), the former Spice Islands of the country, may well be the last bastion of unspoilt paradise. Flit from volcanos to coral reefs from dawn to dusk.

Indonesia Hotels

Bali

Beach resort bliss and the rice paddy, arabica foothills of Ubud. I think Bali is up to snuff.

Where to stay: Ayana Resort & Spa Bali

Bali City Guide

Kenting, Taiwan

Why not stay in Taiwan and hit the beach in Kenting National Park? For a memorable hike, the rooftop of East Asia, Yushan, is just a few hours to the north.

Where to stay: Castillo De Amour Bed & Breakfast Kenting Fairy Tale Building

Kenting City Guide

Sarawak

Impossible to exclude Borneo from a list of hike and beach hot spots in Asia. The state of Sarawak, Malaysia is where to go. Crash in Kuching, the dynamic capital, and get languid on the coast. For incomparable primeval rainforest treks, Bako National Park is close by.

Where to stay: The Secret Sanctuary Boutique Cottage

Kuching City Guide

Phu Quoc, Vietnam

With Nha Trang overrun, the new beach star in Vietnam is the island of Phu Quoc, which – bonus! – is also mountainous and thickly forested.

Where to stay: Chen La Resort & Spa

Phu Quoc City Guide

As the pixels in camera phones become mega macho, digital cameras are getting ditched, only to gather dust. While Photography apps on iPhone have the bigger bite of the apple, Android apps are seriously getting injected with juice. Here’s the cool list to get you snap-appy!

Polarize
price: free
Available: iPhone

Many days have been passed with this fun, cute app. Polarize generates Polaroid-style photos which you can write on, tag and upload.
Pro: Develops quicker than snapping your fingers. Con: If only you could shake it!

Photoshop Express
price: free
Available: iPhone/Android

Adobe’s Photoshop Express allows you to use simple gestures to quickly edit and share your photos. Choose from a bunch of options such as adding a soft focus to your pic or adding a vibrant or rainbow effect. Jazz it up with a vignette border to give your piece of art an impressionistic feel. Grunge with rougher borders like Halftone or Film Emulsion.

Hipstamatic
price: $2.00
Available: iPhone

In case you miss those old school analogue point-and-shoot fantastic toys of plastic, Hipstamatic gives you the ability to take feel good pics which turns every dull snap into a quirky masterpiece. The standard pack features 3 lenses, films and flashes which you can upgrade with Hipstapaks for an extra 99cents each.

Instagram
price: free
Available: iPhone

With over 100,000 dowloads withing the first week of its release, Instragram has been a huge success. Instagram allows you apply filters to your pictures to transform the look and feel which you can then upload and share through Facebook, Twitter or Flickr as well as Instragram itself. Choose from 11 different styles, adding charm and funky old school love, upload and share. Did we mention it’s free?

PicPlz
price: free
Available: iPhone/Android

If you can’t get enough of these spy cameras like us, PicPlz is another free app which lets you style your snaps. Similar effects to Hipstamatic and Instragram, PicPlz filters include “Instant Film,” “Russian Toy Camera,”  and “the 70s.” What’s better about this app? PicPlz supports additional services Tumblr, Posterous and Foursquare and allows you to save to Dropbox. There’s also a handy dashboard to track clicks!

Retro Camera
price: free
Available: iPhone/Android

If you’re looking for an ancient plastic camera that’s free and alternative to Hipstamatic, try Retro Camera. Get your lomo fix with four different effects, add some film scratches and cross processing. Your new snap styler will get your mates drooling.

ClassicToy
price: free
Available: iPhone

ClassicToy has a larger viewfinder than apps previously mentioned, the film style appears on the side and can be swapped by flipping them up or down. Boasting 16 film styles and 4 funky lenses (our fave Double Eye), ClassicToy gives you control over interval times between shots in burst mode.

Tilt Shift Generator
price: free
Available: iPhone

Analogue…vintage… there’s just too many! Here’s an app that gives you a whole new perspective of the world. ..So different you’ll think you’re viewing a miniature city. That’s the point of this app, to trick your mind into viewing a photo as a toy scene by creating a bokeh effect with the lens blur filter. Alter the size of focus and rotate the orientation. Soon you’ll have a collection of minature worlds.

Diptic
price: $2.00
Available: iPhone

Once you’ve built up a healthy supply of pics, organise your art with Diptic. Combine multiple pics to create a collage, tell your story in pretty geometric arrangements. Simple and quick, save and upload to Flickr.

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Dallas Cowboys Stadium, host of Super Bowl XLV – Photo credit

How about some top-of-the-line commercials, for one? While the understandable focus for many (football fans mostly) will be the actual game at Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, for others, the big water cooler conversation the next day will not hinge on the defensive exploits of Troy Polamalu or Clay Matthews or the touchdown antics of Hines Ward or Greg Jennings but on the ads (and, undoubtedly, terrible halftime show). Super Bowl commercials are a massive business and now garner more than USD $2.6 million for a mere 30 seconds of television time. Such is the case when your audience is in the 90 million viewer range.

With that in mind, here is a list of our fave Super Bowl commercials of all time. While hotels in Dallas cater to football fans, corporate sponsors and NFL executives in town for the big game, the rest of us will secretly hope for ads as timeless as this top 10.

10. Snickers – “Betty White” (2010)

Mars, Inc. took full advantage of Betty White’s uncanny resurgence in popularity to make her the star of the most hilarious ad from the 2010 Super Bowl.

9. Budweiser – “Respect” (2002)

In the wake of 9/11, Budweiser took a wise and sober approach in 2002 and had the famous company Clydesdales “take a knee” in front of the Manhattan skyline. The commercial ran once.

8. Master Lock – “Shot Lock” (1974)

Master Lock’s “Shot Lock” commercial may be the most effective money spent in Super Bowl ad history. The company ran the ad year after year and stuck to the same “Tough Under Fire” theme in subsequent Super Bowl ads.

7. Diet Pepsi – “Just One Look” (1992)

1992-era Cindy Crawford in a tank top and jean shorts. Nice. But what made this famous Diet Pepsi ad so memorable was less the eye candy and more the sweet little boys who ogle the can of soda … and not the supermodel.

6. Reebok – “Terry Tate” (2003)

For sheer laugh-out-loud hilarity, few Super Bowl ads top Reebok’s “Terry Tate: Office Manager” campaign from 2003. The comedy shorts did little to increase Reebok’s brand recognition or market share, however.

5. Noxzema – “Joe Namath” (1973)

Celebrity and star athlete pitchmen dominate ads today but back in 1973, a simpler time, the tandem of New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath and pre-Charlie’s Angels Farrah Fawcett in a Noxzema commercial was a novelty.

4. Bud Bowl

The Bud Bowl ads – bottles of Budweiser versus bottles of Bud Light in a Super Bowl-like showdown for beer supremacy – ran from 1989 until 1997. A quintessential Super Bowl staple, the commercials often featured more competitive football action than the actual game itself.

3. Apple — “1984” (1984)

The “Best Director of a Super Bowl Ad” award has to go to Ridley Scott for his incomparable “1984″ masterpiece for Apple computers.

2. McDonald’s — “The Showdown” (1993)

Michael Jordan and Larry Bird in a spectacular game of “HORSE” for a McDonald’s Big Mac? A pure classic with subsequent riffs over the years. Bird’s “No rim” line in his conspicuous Indiana drawl is still awesome today.

1. Coke — “Mean Joe Greene” (1979)

What else? The sentimental jersey toss by Steelers Hall of Famer “Mean Joe” Greene to a star-struck young boy wins hands-down. “Hey, kid. Catch!” … the line still chokes us up. Who cares if the official debut of the ad did not coincide with the Super Bowl telecast?

Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park

Ed Galloway was one of Oklahoma’s most acclaimed folk artists, and his totem pole park is the oldest example of folk art in the entire state. Located in Rogers County, just 3.5 miles off Route 66, Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park is home to various colorful totems, including the world’s largest concrete totem pole, which rises from the back of a giant turtle. A monument to Native American culture, Ed Galloway’s Totem Pole Park is one of the most impressive roadside attractions in the U.S. and on the National Register of Historic Places.

Photo by kb35

Photo by kb35

Blue Whale of Catoosa

Once the main attraction of an old waterpark, the smiling Blue Whale of Catoosa is now one of the most recognizable roadside attractions in America. The story of the Blue Whale began in the early 1970s, when a young entrepreneur by the name of Hugh Davis decided to transform his private pond into a waterpark. He spent $2,000 on 126 sacks of cement to build the funny Blue Whale, and presented it as a gift to his wife Zelta on their wedding anniversary. The Blue Whale of Catoosa quickly became a hit attraction and even after the water park closed in the 1980s, it was kept alive by the local community.

Photo by gregwest98

Photo by tydence

Cadillac Ranch

What started out as the artistic dream of an eccentric Texas millionaire has become one of the most popular tourist attractions along Route 66. Cadillac Ranch is the brainchild of millionaire Stanley Marsh and Ant Farm, an art collective from San Francisco. Marsh asked the artists of Ant Farm to come up with a unique creation for his ranch, just outside Amarillo. Art installations don’t get much more unique than ten Cadillacs buried head-down in the ground. Completed in 1974, Cadillac Ranch soon became a favorite stop for Route 66 road-trippers, many of whom started autographing the cars. The tradition is still alive today, and according to Marsh, Cadillac Ranch looks better every year.

Photo by davidw

Photo by mtsrs

Elmer Long’s Bottle Tree Ranch

What does one do with a collection of hundreds of plain colorful glass bottles? Most of us would probably recycle them at some point, but Elmer Long came up with a much better idea – he decided to build a Bottle Tree Ranch, right on his property in Helendale (Oro Grande). Elmer inherited the glass bottles from his father, who collected them on his many trips through the desert, and managed to turn them into veritable works of art by attaching them to iron trees. The over 200 bottle trees have turned Elmer Long’s ranch into one of the most impressive-looking roadside attractions on Route 66.

Photo by tobin

Wigwam Village Motel #6

While they could easily find more modern and comfortable hotels in Flagstaff, Arizona, people still travel to the Wigwam Village Motel #6 in Holbrook for the chance to spend the night in a wigwam. If you think these wigwams look a lot like tipis, you’re absolutely right. The founder was fonder of wigwam as a name however. The Wigwam Village Motel #6 is one of seven such motels built by Chester E. Lewis, and is made up of 15 concrete and steel structures, each 21 feet wide and 28 feet high. Complete with a museum of Route 66 memorabilia, Indian artifacts and a petrified wood collection, the Wigwam Village Motel #6 is on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

Photo by jbcurio

Photo by pictures_by_shuli

Marketers love vintage ads, especially when it comes to tourism. The “I Love New York” campaign has recently undergone a fresh revival and the “One Love” Bob Marley ads for Jamaica still resonate as strong as ever. With that in mind, take a look at some vintage travel ads.

New York, 1984

New York, New York, it’s a Sheraton Town. Ad for the Sheraton Hotel in New York, comprised of five different establishments. The hotel still functions today and provides modern accomodation for tourists and business travelers alike.
Image by jbcurio

America, 1938

“See America” poster from the United States Travel Bureau. Picture belonging to the Work Projects Administration colection and is in the public domain.
Image by trailsanderrors

Puerto Rico, 1938

Puerto Rico, this exotic destination right between the two Americas. Poster depicts the harbor from the San Felipe del Morro castle in San Juan; it belongs to the Work Projects Administration colection and is in the public domain.
Image by trailsanderrors

New York, 1938

They like winter in New York State, the state that has everything. Poster advertising winter sports in upstate New York. From the NYC WPA collection.
Image by trailsanderrors

The Philippines, 1947

The Philippines are coming closer. Plan ahead for the Orient – the world’s supreme travel experience. An article from the The Atlantic about this archipelago of 7,083 islands
Image by jbcurio

Railway Poster, 1953 & Porthcawl 1960

British railway poster and advertisement for Porthcawl, a resort located on the southern coast of Wales. This well-known holiday destination among the British now has two Blue Flag beaches and loads of opportunities to practice surfing, fishing or scuba-diving.
Image by Annie Mole

Airlines of the United States, 1945

Better traveling… more travel! Air transportation in the United States has created thousands of new travelers – folks who have started moving about for the first time in their lives.
Image by x-ray delta one

Cleethorpes, 1955

British Railway Poster advertising one of their destinations – Cleethorpes, a small town on the Humber estuary with an impressive amusement park and its very own leisure center on the East Coast.
Image by Annie Mole

American Airlines, 1949

He commands you. Flagship and you. Confidence. Hand-drawn poster from American Airlines promoting their experience pilots and aiming at boosting the confidence of the American population in flying.
Image by x-ray delta one

Transcontinental, 1940

A New World in Travel. TWA would fly 376 miles (NY to Pittsburgh) in 2hrs23mins for only $21.
Image by x-ray delta one

Versatile Miami is also a perfect family holiday destination, with loads of kid-friendly attractions. So pack your bags, peruse stellar hotels in Miami and come to Florida for a holiday your kids will always remember.

Jungle Island

Combine a tropical landscape with a variety of animals from all over the world and you have Jungle Island. Franz Scherr, an Austrian immigrant with a passion for exotic birds, built this superb attraction in 1936. Jungle Island soon became a classic Miami attraction.

Jungle Island’s avian collection began with a few parrots but soon grew to include thousands of other animals, from pink flamingos to lemurs, Capuchin monkeys to penguins. Jungle Island even has a private beach where parents can relax and enjoy a cocktail while the kids discover the wonders of nature. The park’s flagship resident, Hercules the liger (a cross between a tiger and lion), is by far the most popular attraction.

Miami Children’s Museum

The Miami Children’s Museum is an interactive experience that the whole family can enjoy. Conveniently located between downtown Miami and Miami Beach, the Children’s Museum features various fun exhibits on a wide range of Florida-centric topics, from the Everglades to the Port of Miami, Cruise Ships to an Ocean Odyssey.

Permanent exhibits help visitors discover the natural and man-made wonders of Miami and the state of Florida and eclectic, temporary exhibits feature prominently on a regular basis. All in all, the Children’s Museum is definitely a must-see, memorable attraction.

Miami Science Museum and Planetarium

Established in 1949, the Science Museum and Planetarium was originally located in a house, on Biscayne Boulevard, but grew so rapidly that it had to change locations several times over a few years. Nowadays, it’s one of Miami’s most popular tourist destinations, featuring unique scientific exhibits, impressive laser shows and a one-of-a-kind planetarium.

From South Florida’s largest natural history collection, with over 60,000 artifacts and specimens, to a wildlife rehabilitation center, the Miami Science Museum and Planetarium truly has it all. Each fascinating show requires a separate ticket, but your kids will enjoy every minute spent here.

Seaquarium

With dolphins that “walk” on water, orcas that fly through the air, comical sea lions and a lot of other adorable creatures, Miami’s Seaquarium is a world-class marine life park. Near downtown Miami, the Seaquarium is the longest operating attraction of its kind in the United States.

The eight entertaining marine shows featured at the Seaquarium attract over 600,000 visitors a year, and are especially popular with kids. Lolita the orca is the star of the water park, but the athletic dolphins, sea lions and manatees get a lot of love too. If you’re looking for a fun family experience, the Seaquarium is it.

Zoo Miami

With over 2,000 animals and 1,300 plants, it’s almost impossible to see everything Zoo Miami has to offer. The 740-acre complex is located on the old Richmond Naval Air Station and is the oldest zoo in Florida. With a wide variety of animals from Asia, Africa and Australia, Zoo Miami repeatedly ranks as one of the ten best zoos in America.

The fact that Zoo Miami is completely cage free and animals dwell in outdoor environments that closely resemble their native habitats is a definite plus. With over 340 acres of animal exhibits to see, consider renting a four-seat bicycle to tour the entire facility.

Kahaluu Beach Park

Commonly known as Snorkel Beach, Kahaluu Beach Park is considered the most popular snorkeling destination on the Big Island, and one of the best in Hawaii. King Kamehameha, one of Hawaii’s kings of old, had his workers build a seawall to protect a small cove from the dangerous surf and riptides, so he and his family could enjoy the beauty of the ocean, in peace. That’s how Kahaluu Beach Park was created, and it remains a calm place, home to colorful corals, impressive rock formations and over 100 species of tropical fish.

Photo by butsky

The best snorkeling spot in Kahaluu Beach Park is in the southwest, near the lava rocks. That’s where the water is most shallow, and corals the most pristine. Most tourists won’t venture this far out, so it will most likely be just you, surrounded by colorful fish and adorable sea turtles.

Anini Beach Park

Calm waters and a rich underwater life make Anini the best snorkeling spot on Kauai. This peaceful stretch of beach is protected by the largest coral reef in Hawaii, so instead of foamy waves breaking up on the sand, you can expect a lake like atmosphere. The protective reef creates a beautiful blue lagoon, unsuited for surfing or bodyboarding, but perfect for snorkeling.

Photo by ishot71

Anini Beach Park is home to a varied marine life, including trigger fish, parrot fish, boxer fish, unicorn fish, damsel fish and many other tropical fish, waiting for you to join them underwater. There is one thing tourists have to be wary of when snorkeling in Anini Beach Park, and that’s the very sharp corals.

Kealakekua Bay

The largest sheltered natural bay in Hawaii, Kealakekua is also famous as the place where Captain James Cook and his ships arrived, when they discovered Hawaii. The exact spot where he was later surrounded and killed by the natives, is marked by a monument.

Photo by nuttinbutlove

A spectacular marine sanctuary, Kealakekua Bay sports a variety of tropical fish, colorful coral reefs, calm and warm waters averaging around 76 degrees, as well as clear visibility down to 100 feet. Kealakekua Bay is also home to a pod of Hawaiian Spinner dolphins, making it the perfect place to interact with some of the friendliest mammals on Earth.

Molokini Crater

An old volcanic crater eroded with the passing of time, Molokini Crater is now a true marine life paradise and a world class snorkeling and diving location.  Located 3 miles off the coast of Maui, Molokini is famous for its exceptionally clear water, with visibility reaching 100 feet every day.

Photo by Forest & Kim Starr

The area around Molokini Crater is home to over 250 species of colorful tropical fish, whale sharks, manta rays and even monk seals. If you’re interested in discovering Maui’s underwater world, Molokini is definitely a must-see.

Hanauma Bay

Just nine miles from the popular Waikiki Beach, on the island of Oahu, lies Hanauma Bay, a natural paradise reputed as the best snorkeling spot in Hawaii, for beginners and experts alike. The crescent-shaped bay is an old volcanic crater that now serves as home for some of the most fascinating creatures in the Pacific.

Photo by dnorman

The turquoise waters of Hanauma Bay are peaceful and clear, making it easy to spot beautiful fish and coral reefs, even in waist deep waters. Unlike other snorkeling locations in Hawaii, the wildlife of Hanauma Bay is not afraid of humans, and as long as you don’t make any sudden movements you’ll have the chance to interact with over 450 species of tropical fish, octopus, crabs and much more.

Minnesota State Fair

The Minnesota State Fair is held in St. Paul, Minnesota each year and is 12 days long.  It includes Labor Day and the 12 days beforehand.  Possibly the largest state fair in the US in regard to attendance, there are a lot of activities and attractions that keep people from all over the country coming to this  state fair every year.

One of the most popular features of Minnesota’s State Fair is the Grandstand stage, where live concerts are performed to entertain the thousands of guests that attend the fair daily.  In past years, performers have included big stars like Def Leppard, Christina Aguilera and Lynyrd Skynyrd.  You have to buy tickets to see the big shows like these and prices vary, but there are free shows put on by local talent as well.

There are other forms of entertainment like comedy shows and the well known State Fair Talent Contest, where residents can become stars of their own show.  There are livestock shows and competitions as well for animals like horses, cattle, sheep and more.  You can also see resident art exhibits featuring paintings, sculptures, ceramics and more.

Not to be missed is the great food like cotton candy, cheese curds, which reflect Minnesota’s agriculture, and deep fried candy bars.  Enjoy rides and attractions such as roller coasters, a water raft ride and a haunted house.

The fair gates open at 6am and close at 12 am, but buildings are only open from 9am to 9pm most days.  Tickets are $11 for adults, $8 for kids 5-12 years of age and $9 for seniors 65 and over.  Kids under 5 get free admission.  There are sometimes discounts available on specially designated days such as “Thrifty Thursday” or “Ticket Deal Tuesday” where you can save up to $2 on admission each person.  Parking is an additional $11.

If you’d like to extend your stay to enjoy all of the festivities, you can apply to camp out at one of the campsites located on the fairgrounds at www.mnstatefair.org.

Ohio State Fair

The Ohio State Fair is held in Columbus in early August every year.  It’s usually 12 days long and is full of family fun such as exciting roller coaster rides as well as other usual fair rides such as a Ferris wheel and kiddie rides.  The rides do cost extra but you can buy “ride all day wristbands” at discounted prices.  The kids can also have fun in the petting zoo, fishing or watching magicians perform tricks.

The fair features competitions of all sorts including spelling bees, wrestling, cheerleading and martial arts competitions.  There are also many involving livestock like horses, cows and even rabbits.  Residents can also compete for titles in creative arts like antique collections and appraisals, hand work, like wood working, and cooking contests.

The fair is in operation from 9am to 10pm when it’s going on, except for the last day when it closes at 8pm.  Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for kids 12 and under and is free for kids under 4.  Senior tickets for those that are 60 years or more are $8 and parking is $5.  You can also save yourself some money by bringing some food and beverages along.  Most things, excluding alcohol are allowed.

You can camp out on the fairgrounds if you want.  Call 888-OHO-EXPO for more information or show up for one of the first come, first served campsites.  You can also get more information on the Ohio State Fair at www.ohiostatefair.com.

California State Fair

The California State Fair is held every year in Sacramento and has recently been moved to take place in July and August.  It usually lasts about two weeks.  There is tons of live entertainment on the Miller Lite Grandstand featuring famous acts such as Martina McBride, Eddie Money and Lonestar.  All concerts and performances are free and included in admission to the fair.  You can also see comedians like Howie Mandel and “Weird Al” Yankovic work the crowd.

You can put on a show of your own and enter the karaoke contest or watch residents compete in other contests such as horse racing and agricultural competitions.  You can also check out art exhibits featuring art from locals, a sand castle competition, or attend a classic car show.

Aside from the usual fairground rides such as the Ferris wheel, spinning tea cups and roller coasters, this state fair features a unique area called the “Weird, Wild and Wacky Zone” which features things that are supposed to show why California is one of the weirdest, wildest and wackiest states in the US.  This special category features things like a fire pixie show, where performers eat, breathe and dance with fire, as well as a world famous African acrobat team, rubber ducky races and hypnotists.

The gates open at noon Monday through Thursday and close at 10pm.  Friday through Sunday they’re open at 10am until 10m.  The rides are usually open later, until 11pm or 12am.  Admission to the fair is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors age 62 and over and $8 for kids 5 to 12, while kids under 5 are free.  Parking is $10 per vehicle.

So book your Sacramento hotel, and enjoy the food, rides, and entertainment at the California state fair.

Visiting the Stadiums for the 2010 FIFA World Cup

To be fair to all teams involved, the South African World Cup will be hosted at 10 prestigious stadiums throughout South Africa. This creates a competitive atmosphere where no team can have an advantage on any one playing field – and the setup also allows for locals and tourists to see a wider variety of match ups.

Perhaps one of the most well known stadiums on the list is the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg. After undergoing a stunning reconstruction, the stadium, which can easily hold almost 95,000 fans, has the honor of hosting both the first and last game of the series.

Ellis Park Stadium is special as well. While the folks at this stadium won’t be hosting a semi-final match, they will be hosting at least one quarter-finals match. No matter what type of sporting even you’re there for, you’ll find the stadium itself to be a unique attraction.  Built in 1928 and then subsequently rebuilt in 1982, the stadium has a seating capacity of about 62,000 and features some incredible perks – like wheelchair accessibility, special VIP areas, and an astounding audio and visual system.

Both the Green Point Stadium in Cape Town and the Durban Stadium in Durban will play prestigious roles in the 2010 FIFA World Cup games as well. These are the only two stadiums that will have the honor of hosting semi-final matches during early July.

The Opening & Closing World Cup Matches

If you’d like to catch a glimpse of the opening match, you’ll need to get tickets and reserve a hotel in Johannesburg as quickly as possible. The opening game is a great event and, as is to be expected, huge crowds will form in an attempt to get into the final game of the series. If you want to be amongst the screaming fans at the end of the World Cup, you’ll need to purchase your tickets as far in advance as you can.

Obtaining Tickets to the South African World Cup

There are two types of tickets available for the South African World Cup – match or team specific. Match tickets can be purchased for any of the individual matches throughout the duration of the cup. Individuals are limited to purchasing 4 tickets per match, and may only buy tickets for up to 7 matches.

Team specific tickets are strips that allow visitors to follow their favorite teams. Most team specific tickets are good for anywhere from 3 to 7 matches, depending on the team. If your favorite team is eliminated, you may have the option of following the team that moves forward instead.

The entire South African World Cup series contains a total of 64 games. While the public can certainly purchase tickets, they have been released in limited numbers. The 5^th and final release, which opened on May 15th, included a batch of 90,000 tickets spanning across all of the games and stadiums.

If getting to an opening or closing game isn’t important, you’ll have an easier time finding tickets. If you’d like to see a semi-final match and don’t care who is playing, you’ll want to invest in your tickets as well as either a hotel in Cape Town or a hotel in Durban as soon as possible.

Tickets can only be purchased through select South African ticket vendors, who will take your order and include you in a lottery draw for tickets.

Football fans from around the world will be flocking to South Africa to enjoy the games this month. Will you be amongst them – cheering on your favorite teams?

Helicopter wedding

Photo by michaelspencer

With so many opportunities to choose from, on land, some couples can’t make up their minds, and ultimately decide to have their wedding in the sky. Bride, groom and three guests can enjoy breathtaking views of the Las Vegas strip, from a helicopter flying above the city. Getting married in a top of the line “wedding chapel in the sky” has often been described as the ultimate Las Vegas experience.

Elvis wedding

Photo by vix_b

If you’re going to tie the knot in the wedding capital of the world, why not go all out and have the King make it official. With all the Elvis impersonators around Las Vegas, Elvis weddings may not seem like the most original ceremonies, but where else in the world are you going to find a minister with overgrown sideburns and flashy outfits?

Star Trek wedding

Photo by scragz

True Star Trek fans won’t be able to pass up the opportunity of getting married or renewing their vows in a sci-fi setting, inspired by the voyages of the USS Enterprise, surrounded by their favorite characters. Hosted by one of the most formal hotels in Las Vegas, the Hilton, the Star Trek wedding chapel is undoubtedly one of the most unusual places a couple can marry. After the actual wedding, held on the deck of the Enterprise, you’ll move into Quarks Bar and Restaurant, for an incredible reception.

Celtic wedding

Photo by kyz

Whether you are of Celtic heritage, or you’re simply fascinated by this culture, you and your better half can wed in a traditional Celtic ceremony. Held in an intimate Tuscan Garden chapel, the Las Vegas Celtic wedding focuses on the four natural elements – water, fire, earth and air – and features a number of ancient rituals, prayers and incantations.

Pirate wedding

Photo by donabelandewen

Since before “Pirates of the Caribbean” series was wreaking havoc at the box office, people were getting hitched in a pirate-themed ceremony, aboard Treasure Island’s pirate ship. Able to accommodate up to 65 guests, the pirate ship is one of the most offbeat wedding chapels you can find, anywhere in the world. The bride and groom can choose to be dressed as actual pirates, as they are married by the ship’s captain and have their rings delivered by a pirate swinging down from the crow’s nest.

Gondola wedding

Photo by 1234abcd

Why travel all the way to Venice, Italy, when you can have your fairytale Venetian wedding right in Las Vegas! One of the most popular Las Vegas hotels, the Venetian, sports a replica of one of the famous Italian city’s canals, and puts a singing gondolier at your disposal. Gondola weddings are also available on Las Vegas Lake, in motorized gondolas that can accommodate parties of up to 12.

Horseback wedding

Photo by davidw

For couples eager to discover the West before Las Vegas was even a project, the horseback wedding is the perfect opportunity. Bride, groom and their entourage take on the roles of old-school cowboys as they ride through Red Rock Canyon, on horseback. The happy couple is picked up from their hotel, by a luxurious limo, only to exchange modern transportation, for a horseback ride through the rugged Nevada Desert.