from tent to Turkey - the Eclipse experience

Burgess HiLL ~ home during teen years...

i will be back there.. 18 March 2006 :)

Posted by Spidey at 1:39 AM 0 comments

Burgess Hill - where i grew up - visiting memories

Get to know Burgess Hill

Whatever you want to find around Burgess Hill; shops, businesses, hotels, pubs, restaurants, clubs, cinemas, theatres, etc. our directory, classified system and events guide will help you to find out what's on in Burgess Hill and where to find things in and around Burgess Hill.

This is the place i grew up from teen's onwards .. well for a few years anyways. I went to the local highschool there - Oakmeeds - and left Burgess Hill my friends, and all not long after my 15th birthday. Its been over 25 years since ive been back HoMe. How funny it was to find out from mum, that my old room is now the Computer room -- hehe!!

more info on Burgess Hill : Burgess Hill Information Online - guide and directory for Burgess Hill,West Sussex,UK with tourist information

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Travel Safety : Carrying your Money

Why does it have to happen to me!” you curse while madly scrummaging through what’s left of your belongings. Even the most experienced of travellers can be caught out.

How many times have you heard backpacker tales about a stolen daypack, slashed bumbag or picked pocket. True, the experience adds to the ‘must tell’ checklist, but in reality it is one of those experiences we could all do without.

Theft is a common problem when travelling and unfortunately the unwary backpacker gawking at the flying buttresses within St Paul’s Cathedral is easy prey to a greedy thief looking for a bit of extra cash. Though you must remain cautious, paranoia will serve no purpose. Wherever you are travelling, always consider the comfort factor; for the more comfortable you are in your surroundings the less unwelcome attention you will attract.

• more info : YHA Backpacker Essentials

Posted by Spidey at 9:41 PM 0 comments

Travelling : Money & Foreign Exchanges : TiPs

One of the most agonised over part of any trip is how much money to take and how to take it: Louise Southerden outlines some do’s and don’ts.

Whether you’re off around the world or just around the corner, whether you’re cruising on the QM2 or backpacking on a budget, there’s one item every traveller needs to pack: spending money. The problem is, sometimes doubts and worries – about how much money to take, how to take it and what to do if it’s lost or stolen – go along for the ride.

So it pays to know the secret to successful travel: spread the load. That is, take your travel money in different forms: cash (for daily expenses), travellers cheques or pre-paid travel cards (for the bulk of your funds) and cards (for unexpected or larger expenditures).

And remember the travellers’ adage: spending money – don’t leave home without it!

more at: YHA Backpacker Essentials:

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Antalya Airport - Arrival Hall

for those who want to have a peek - what to expect when they land in Antalya

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antalya

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Handy foreign cash straight from ATM

Handy foreign cash straight from ATM

Collin Hiss likes to save time when he travels by making all his bookings online and using his credit card for ATM withdrawals and purchases.

'I go overseas every eight weeks to the US, China or Europe. Most of the time I use my Visa card to get cash from ATMs,' he says. 'As soon as I am at the airport I get some local currency. While there are some small charges in doing it this way, it is very convenient.'

Hiss, 52, chief executive of Eagle Compact, which manufactures and sells electric golf walking carts to carry your clubs while you stroll the fairways, has no time for travellers' cheques.

'The problem with travellers' cheques is that you have to make a special trip to get the cheques. With my card, I don't have to go to the bank, just straight to the airport. I like cutting out the middle person if I can to save time. That's why I do all my bookings online so I don't have to deal with too many people.'

Hiss relies on his credit cards for all his travel expenses, which give him the added benefit of frequent flyer points. He uses cash for taxis and tips.

When at Heathrow Airport, he buys his euros at the Travelex bureau in the shared British Airways/Qantas Club. 'Whatever you have left over, the Travelex office takes back at no charge and gives you the equivalent in your local currency,' he says.

• more info/sourced : How to save on costs for cash on the move - Money - smh.com.au

Posted by Spidey at 1:33 AM 0 comments

How to save on costs for cash on the move - Money - Debit Card VS Credit Card

DEBIT CARD Vs Credit Cards

When Wright travels, he uses a debit card from his credit union. 'The credit union uses the same conversion rate as credit cards and Visa negotiates some great rates for foreign currency buying.

'Another plus with the debit card is you are using your own money. Withdrawals come straight from your account, so there is no interest charged. Of course, you could prepay your Wizard card or another credit card too to get the same benefits.

'Otherwise, if you make a withdrawal with a credit card on the first day of your holiday and you don't get back for another 30 days, you will pay 30 days' worth of interest.

• more info/sourced : smh.com.au

Posted by Spidey at 1:00 AM 0 comments

How to save on costs for cash on the move - PrePaid Cash Cards

PREPAID CASH CARDS

Prepaid cash cards, such as Travelex's Cash Passport and EMerchants' CashCow card are gaining in popularity. The key advantage: you can set a spending limit before you leave.

Travelex charges 1 per cent to load the card and $3.75 for ATM withdrawals, while EMerchants' CashCow card is 25 cents to load and $2 for ATMs.

Travelex Australasia director of business services Nigel Adams says you can put money in Australian dollars, British pounds, euros and American dollars on to your Cash Passport. You can also buy the card in advance when the exchange rate is favourable. His company sells six cards to every one travellers' cheque.

'You can buy a card which is euro-based, then simply find a Visa ATM to dispense your cash,' he says. 'You can also take multiple cards. If you are going to Asia first you could take an Australian-dollar-based card and another in pounds for Britain.'

You can reload the card via your bank, the internet or BPay, using the card number as your reference number. The minimum load is $250, the maximum $25,000. There is no signature panel on the card so if you lose it no one can access your cash unless they have your PIN.

'When we did our research, foremost in people's minds is that the product is convenient to use and secure,' Adams says. 'What people tend to do is use a credit card backed up by a Cash Passport or they put their holiday money onto the Cash Passport.

What are the downsides to prepaid cards?

You have to find the required ATM to withdraw cash. If you are travelling to destinations such as Cambodia, where ATMs are scarce, you may be better off using a combination of travellers' cheques, credit cards and US dollars cash.

Cash is king in many places in the Caribbean, Africa, South America and at Asian markets, Wright says.

How else can you trim costs?

You can make savings by restricting the number of ATM transactions as this form of withdrawal is usually the most expensive.

• more info/sourced : smh.com.au

Posted by Spidey at 12:55 AM 0 comments

Alanya / Antalya - Turkiye

Posted by Spidey at 9:45 PM 0 comments

Great price air tix for Australia > Europe - Good for Soulclipsers!!

Great Price from Syd & Melb to Europe!

If you are still considering goin to the Soulclipse festival, starting @ 27th March 2006 in Turkey (Antalya) - and still havent got your flights -- here's a deal that is greatly priced, - provided you return back to Australia by 31st May 2006 (festival ends 2nd April - so plenty of time for extra sightseeing too)

@ $1149 price + (plus tax, charges - id approx that at about $400 AUD id say.. but check to be sure) - you will be able to pickup a reasonably cheap flight from either vienna or london or frankfurt with the many budget airlines in europe (eg : ryanair, air berlin, bmi, easyjet, etc ) -- and get the flight deal $2000 AUD all up..

So as i said, if you are still CONSIDERING going to experience the total eclipse festival ---- This is a deal to Jump on :)

go to Best Flights to get the full details :

Economy Class Specials

Austrian Airlines Sensational New Deals to 5 Fabulous cities from The East Coast... Mar-May 06!
Price: From $1149 Return plus taxes

Description:
HOT OFF THE PRESS!! We're happy to bring you these brand new fares from Austrian Airlines to 5 UK/European cities.

With departures from the East Coast through to May, these prices are RED HOT!!

You will fly with Austrian Airlines from Australia to Vienna and then onto any of the following cities...

London-Frankfurt-Paris-Prague-Vienna.

Stopovers are allowed in Vienna in each direction.

Maximum stay away is 6 months and all travel must be completed by the 31st of May."

Posted by Spidey at 10:52 PM 0 comments

riiingmobile - mobile phone while travelling

for Australians wanting to deal locally visit site : http://www.riiing.com.au

for other countries : http://www.united-mobile.com

Posted by Spidey at 1:24 PM 0 comments

Mediterranean Sea From Antalya

how gorgeous is this?

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Tauros Mountains ; Antalya

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Reflection : Sunrise, Antalya, Turkey

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Turkish Tea

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blue mosque

Posted by Spidey at 1:25 AM 0 comments

Astrological & Planetary Coincidences?

Today i have been browsing thru some astrological websites reading about eclipses and how that and astrology connects etc.

I happen to click on a link to all the fullmoons for certain years.. and i found out last week that the day i travel out of Melbourne, Australia - will be on the day of the Full Moon in Virgo - which was intersting enuf as my moon IS in Virgo (natal chart).
So, im looking at all the dates - and i decided to scan thru to see where the moon would be when i come back, June 11 2006. And Lo, and behold, i looked - and its on a full moon - the date i return! How's that for coincidence or is everything really part of the universe's plan?

here is the details that was on the site, in particular to the dates im travelling..

• Full Moon -Mar 14 2006 - 23:35(GMT) 24°Vi15' (in Virgo) ** i leave on March 15 about 3pm AEST, so if u had 10hrs on to the full moon time -that would make exacty full moon in Australia at about 9am 15th March 2006
• Full Moon -Jun 11 2006 - 18:02(GMT) 20°Sg41' (in Saggitarius)
  

On the day of the total solar eclipse in Turkey @ Soulclipse festival - it wil be a NEW MooN in Aries

oh WOW..i just saw that there will be a full moon is on my birthday in 2009! (the year i plan to view the eclipse in India/Nepal) : Full Moon -May 9 2009 4:01(GMT)18°Sc41' - and just found another freaky connection with my 'something' with the numbers 11, in particular 11:11 found this >> Full Moon-Nov 10 2011 20:15(GMT)18°Ta05'. Now if i was to add +10 to the GMT time for Australia = 05:15 AEST Nov 11 2011 (11.11.11) -full moon in Taurus - AND -- if numerically u convert 05:15 (0+5+1+5) = 11. (im a Taurus :| *should i EeeK now?*)

• // fullmoon dates/page[LINK]

Posted by Spidey at 9:45 PM 0 comments

Manifesting Dreams - the time is right

Is your dream impossible – or possible?

On January 28, March 16 and September 24 this year, the faith planet Jupiter forms a square with the fantasy planet Neptune. Even as you read this, you’ll be dreaming the impossible dream.

A sacrifice is involved. You’re turning your back on what (or who) you had before. Neptune is about giving in, giving up and letting go.

Nevertheless, you believe that your praying, your wishing and hoping – will be worth it. Blind belief tells you that you’re right to make this massive change.

sourced/read more : The Astrologer's Diary

Posted by Spidey at 5:24 PM 0 comments

Turkey : Dialling Code : Communications

Communications :

The international country dialling code for Turkey is +90.
The outgoing code is 00, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom).
GSM 900 and 1800 networks cover most of the country.

Internet cafes are available in the main towns and resorts

sourced : Travel Guide - Turkey - health, safety, passport and visa, currency exchange, tourist office

Posted by Spidey at 8:53 PM 0 comments

Duty free : What/HOW MucH travellers can bring INTO turkey

Duty Free: Travellers to Turkey do not have to pay duty on the following items:

• 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or 200g tobacco, or 200 cigarette papers, or 50g chewing tobacco, or 200g pipe tobacco, or 200g snuff tobacco.

• Alcohol allowance includes 1 litre or 700ml wine or spirits.

Other allowances include

• 5 bottles perfume up to 120ml each;
• gifts to the value of €255.65;
• electronic articles to the value of €255.65;
• tea and coffee for personal consumption;
• jewellery and guns for sporting purposes permitted by foreign travellers.
• Tape recorders, record players and transistor radios have to be declared on arrival.
• Restricted items include playing cards limited to one pack.

Posted by Spidey at 7:50 PM 0 comments

No more booze or Bee Gees at Gallipoli

No more booze or Bee Gees at Gallipoli
March 6, 2006 - 12:52PM


There will be no booze and no Bee Gees and visitors to this year's Anzac Day (April 25th ) commemorations at Gallipoli will be given garbage bags.

Announcing arrangements for the 91st anniversary of the Gallipoli landing, Veterans Affairs Minister Bruce Billson said the Australian, New Zealand and Turkish governments were united in their commitment to protect and preserve the former battlefield in Turkey.

Mr Billson, flanked by Turkish Ambassador Murat Ersavciand and RSL head Major General Bill Crews at the Australian War Memorial, said many lessons were learned in dealing with the record crowd who attended the 90th anniversary activities last year.

He said that had resulted in a number of improvements, with an updated transport plan to address road congestion, better food vending arrangements, improved seating and more toilets.

'Alcohol will be banned,' he said.

'The improvements should address many of last year's concerns and we will continue to give consideration as to how best to cater for the large crowds as we approach 2015, the 100th anniversary of the Anzac landings.'

Mr Billson said last year there was a lot of rubbish left behind and this year members of the group Conservation Volunteers Australia would undertake a post-commemoration cleanup.

Last year there were concerns about playing big screen rock music videos to crowds waiting for the dawn service.

Such entertainment has been dropped from this year's program.

'The Bee Gees will not be at the commemorations,' Mr Billson said.

'Commemoration is a solemn occasion where reverence needs to be not only understood but displayed to the legends of Anzac, whether they be New Zealanders, Australians or Turkish.

"We feel that the spirit of Anzac and the significance of the time is best reflected and conveyed in educational, informative and interpretive material. That is what we are proposing with documentaries and the insights we will be screening throughout the night in the leadup to the dawn service."

Because of security concerns, there are no bins on the Gallipoli site and a consequence last year was a vast quantity of rubbish left behind when crowds departed.

This year the information pack handed to all visitors will contain a garbage bag to aid the cleanup.

The kit will also contain an order of service, information, souvenir badge and, depending on the weather forecast, a plastic poncho to protect against wind and rain.

Mr Billson said the Australian and Turkish governments had undertaken a joint archaeological and historical review of the Gallipoli Peninsular, identifying sites of significance.

He said both countries also promised to commit funds once a master plan of future works had been agreed.

Mr Billson said he did not believe the crowds attending Anzac Day on Gallipoli yet justified ticketing for the event.

"As we look forward to the centenary as crowds continue to swell, crowd management is an important issue," he said.

"There is room for improvement. We acknowledge that and there are steps in place to improve that this year and we will continue to see whether further measures are required."

AAP

Posted by Spidey at 1:22 PM 0 comments

right infront of me...

2 Weeks today before departure!

The Soulclipse Festival ticket :
Arrived today! I looked at it beyond belief, with such a HUGE smile/grin on my face -- acknowledging to self that I, Firdaus designed it. Thank You UNIVERSE and IndigoKids for this beyond my dreams opportunity :)

so here is a capture of all -some -of what i have been doing, saving, perservering all of 2005..

my Passport : my first Australian passport. I havent had a passport for 21 years. Its a bit like holding a book of 'Freedom"

my AirTickets : saving for the tickets and the spending money has assured that all those years of money pinching whilst raising my kids solo - all came to use, again. Thank You to my MUM for reminding me that a Cent today is worth a million in the future :)

my Business Cards : i printed a new set of cards, with Ozdoof.com on one side and Psydjs.com on the other. This journey is another chapter of my dream of a sustainble lifestyle, the walk, steps i take daily in the belief of believing in ones dreams.

read my first post in this blog - i smiled big, when i read it the other day (cLiCk)

Posted by Spidey at 10:58 PM 0 comments

VIDEO: "Ring of Fire" in Sky

Cool eclipe only seen in Africa and Europe - 3 October 2005. The result is a blazing ring in the sky. See footage...

read more | digg story

Posted by Spidey at 3:39 AM 0 comments