Tipping, What's The Going Rate?

Tipping, the practice of giving someone extra money for service, has existed for centuries. We tip for various reasons: good service in the future, super service, and unusual service, like a singing waiter. You may have tipped someone because they were funny.

But most of us tip to compensate for low wages. Tipping has gotten confusing in the last few years. The question is, "Why?"

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There are more people to tip. According to a "Forbes" article on the MSNBC Web site, we used to be looked after by a few service people. Today we are looked after by many. "Now there are pool attendants and ski concierges, personal shoppers and fitness coaches, not to mention butlers galore," according to the site.

Tipping, What's The Going Rate?

Tipping rates vary. As the howstuffworks Web site explains, the practice "varies not only from country to country but from city to city." You know this if you're a frequent traveler. Tipping rates have increased almost everywhere. Daryn Eller, in his "Guide to Tipping" published the "Oprah Magazine" Web site, describes the change.

"If it seems as if you have to shell out tips left and right, that's because you do," says Eller.

Tipping has gotten complex. So complex the state of California, Division of Labor Standards and Enforcement, has established guidelines for it. The state Web site answers questions about tipping, employees' rights, and guidelines for protecting them.

One guideline: Employees should receive a credit card tip "not later than the next regular payday following the date the patron authorized the credit card payment." Under California law employers may not deduct tips from paychecks and may not use an employee's tips as minimum wage credit.

The tip you give depends on the service you get. Luxury service (cruise ship, five-star hotel, posh resort) requires larger tips. It can be confusing. To avoid confusion the Holland America Line adds a per day tip to each passenger's bill. One third of this amount goes to cabin stewards, one third goes to food workers, and one third goes to behind-the-scenes employees.

How much should you tip? Here are some guidelines for the US. Consult your travel agent and travel guides for tipping rates in other countries.

Doorman -- for hailing a cab

Bellhop -- per bag (more if your bags are large and heavy)

Chambermaid -- to a day

Room Service -- % to 15% (unless it's included in your bill)

Coat check -- per coat

Server -- 18% - 20%

Bartender -- 15% to 20%

Concierge -- to

Taxi driver -- 15% to 20%

Airport shuttle driver -- to per bag

Hair stylist -- 15% - 20%

Postal worker -- at holiday time

Pizza delivery -- to

Newspaper delivery -- to at holiday time

Garbage collection -- to at holiday time

Part-time cleaning lady -- One day's wages (or more) at holiday time

When you give someone a monetary tip please take a moment to give them a verbal "tip." Your brief comment, such as "Thanks for your excellent service. I'll ask for you next time," will give them a smile that lasts for days.

Tipping, What's The Going Rate?

http://www.harriethodgson.com

Harriet Hodgson has been a freelance nonfiction writer for 28 years. She is a member of the Association of Health Care Journalists and the Association for Death Education and Counseling. Her 24th book, "Smiling Through Your Tears: Anticipating Grief," written with Lois Krahn, MD, is available from http://www.amazon.com A five-star review of the book is posted on Amazon. You will find other reviews on the American Hospice Foundation Web site (School Corner heading) and the Health Ministries Association Web site.

Copyright 2007 by Harriet Hodgson

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Where Did The Titanic Sink?

Nearly everyone knows about the Titanic, the British passenger ship that set sail from Southampton, England on April 10, 1912. It was touted as a ship that could not sink as it was build with the most advanced technology of its time. However, the Titanic did sink in the Atlantic Ocean and about 1,517 souls lost their lives.

The iconic ship was owned by White Star Line, which was a British shipping company. It was built in a shipyard in Ireland in March 1912, and it took about 3 years to build it. The cost of building the Titanic is pegged at ,500,000. It was biggest passenger ship in the entire world.

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When it set sail for the very first time from Southampton on April 10, 1912, it was making its way to New York. It had 1,343 passengers on board along with 885 members of the crew. The ship was an epitome of luxury and many wealthy people also decided to undertake this voyage.

Where Did The Titanic Sink?

The first stop of the ship was at Cherbourg in France, and when it departed from there, there were 2,240 people on board. The first 4 days were pleasant sailing, but on April 14, 1912, at about 11.30 in the night, everything changed. The ship was about four hundred miles south of Newfoundland and the lookouts suddenly spied a massive iceberg in the direct course of the ship. The crew did everything possible to avoid hitting the iceberg, but ride side of the Titanic managed to brush it. This collision was sufficient to damage the rivets of the ship in that area and icy cold water started entering the ship. The Titanic was carrying twenty lifeboats that could hold about 1,178 people. The lifeboats were used to save people. A few hours later, around 2.05 in the morning, the bow of the ship was submerged and in another 30 minutes, the complete ship was under the water.

It is very hard to pinpoint the exact location where the Titanic sank. Parts of the ship were recovered based on the final distress call made by the crew. It was in the year 1985 that the ship was located in the Atlantic Ocean lying some 3,925 meters under water. This was about 375 miles from St John's, which is in Newfoundland.

Where Did The Titanic Sink?

Kum Martin is an online leading expert in history and education. He also offers top quality articles like:
Stone Age Art, Middle Ages Life

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Marine Refrigeration

How does Marine refrigeration work? The major parts of a DC refrigeration system include the refrigerant, a compressor, and a condenser, a cooling system for condenser, and a plate or plates inside the refrigeration box. 

The compressor is part of a closed loop pumping refrigerant through the system and through the evaporator plate in the ice box. The compressor has two sides the High side or discharge side. The discharge side pumps refrigerant under pressure to the condenser. The suction side or low side and sucks refrigerant after it passes through the evaporator plate back to the compressor. The cold plates in the fridge space have either expansion valves or capillary tube that separate the low and high pressure sides of the refrigeration system.

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The refrigerant in the compressor starts as a gas. The compressor compresses the refrigerant gas, from low pressure to high pressure between 100-150 psi. When the pressure is increased like this its temperature is raised dramatically. This hot high pressure refrigerant is then fed to a condenser, where it is cooled and turned into a liquid. The condenser is cooled by either air or water. The refrigerant is now a cool high pressure liquid and is fed to an evaporator plate inside the boats refrigerator box.

Marine Refrigeration

The evaporator plate takes the refrigerant from the condenser and here it boils rapidly & evaporates back to a gas, at a very low temperature. This change of state absorbs vast amounts of sensible heat from the evaporator which in turn removes heat from the insulated refrigeration box, thereby lowering its temperature. The BTU is the measurement of heat removed. From the evaporator plate the refrigerant is returned to the low side of the compressor, to start the process again.

Evaporator or Holding Plates

Marine refrigeration systems use either an evaporator plate or a holding plate in the boats refrigeration space or freezer space. Each type of plate works differently in drawing heat from the boats refrigerator and ice box space.

Marine Evaporator

Marine Evaporators are just like the ones found in household refrigerators. They can get quite cold (thermostat setting) and many evaporators have the ability to make ice next to the evaporator plate or inside the evaporator box. Evaporators come in several shapes and sizes; they can be horizontal plate's vertical plates and rolled plates. Evaporators are constant cycling, or short cycle. Most use a Danfoss marine compressor with H134 refrigerant.

Thermostat controlled evaporator temperature. Turn to lower ice box temperature. Evaporator plates are less expensive, but need Constant power supply.

Marine Holding plates

Marine Refrigerator Holding Plates act like large blocks of ice and the cold temperature of the holding plate sucks heat out of the boats refrigeration box. Holding plates can keep ice boxes cold for long periods.

The main advantage of a holding plate over an evaporator is that they only need to be recharged 1 or 2 times per day. This charging can coincide with attaching to shore power, running the engine and so the refrigerator does not rely on the battery bank. When incorporated into a properly designed system, holdover plates can significantly reduce average energy consumption. However DC holding plates are also possible.  The holding plate is filled with a solution that has a freezing point below 23 degrees F.  As the compressor runs, the refrigerant passes through the holding Plates coil, freezing the holding plate solution. The compressor turns of and as the holding plate thaws out, heat is removed from the box.

Powering the Compressor

The power supply to the compressor is one of the key elements of the boats refrigeration system. Refrigeration is one of the largest energy consumers onboard, so the power supply is an important element of the system. Power supplies to marine refrigeration systems include AC, DC, Shore Power, Engine power, and hybrid systems. Hybrids are combinations of say 12 volt and engine drive, or engine and shore power. The whole point in looking at power supply to your boats refrigerator is to couple it into onboard power requirements for all your boats marine systems. If you run a generator much of the time then adding on an AC refrigeration unit may make sense, but unless you do, you would be better at looking at 12 V, engine or shore power.

Power can be decided on how you use your boat. Are you tied up at a dock for much of the time and take days trips. Or do you cruise and spend large amounts of time at anchor. Finally are you Powerboating or Sailing will also influence power supply. Sailing means no charging of batteries or power from the engine. Here a solar panel or wind or towed generator can help replenish batteries. If you spend time at the dock, a DC system has plenty of time to recharge on shore power. If you spend time motoring and at the dock and engine drive with shore assist works well.

AC 110 volt marine refrigeration     

These drop in refrigerators are like the one in your home and are commonly seen on larges boats with an abundance of AC power and space. The AC powers the marine compressor, and the condenser is typically air cooled. A reliable AC supply is needed in the form of a generator.

DC marine refrigeration with Evaporator plate

 One of the cheapest marine refrigeration system and easiest to install is the 12 v or DC system. Air cooling is the simplest. The DC system combined with an evaporator plate that is thermostatically controlled gives flexibility over cooling requirements. Many 12 volt systems use the Danfoss compressor. With the increased efficiency of the Danfoss compressor, DC refrigeration onboard is getting more efficient, but is still power hungry.

For most boats with a small box, a single 12V compressor, air cooled condenser, with evaporator type plate will be about the cheapest option. The Adler Barbour Cold Machine has been around for around 25 years and provides great refrigeration for small to medium size ice boxes. 

Shore powered marine refrigeration

Shore powered systems are made to maintain the boat's ice box at set temperature when the boat is at the dock. They offer less power than direct from an engine drive but since you will be at the dock for a while that is not an issue.

If you use a holding plate and shore powered system you can keep the plate cool while away from the dock for 12 hours or so.

 Engine powered marine refrigeration

The idea behind an engine driven compressor system is that the engine gets used anyway for at lest an hour or so. If you are Powerboating this makes sense, if you are sailing calculate how much time you use the engine.

If this is the case an engine drive with a holding plate can draw down the ice box in a short period and after that it can be left for 12 plus hours.

The compressor is run directly off the engine. Belt driven or direct compressor, There are two plates and you can add more, plus ad a separate freezer unit. This creates much power and fast cooling of the holding plate. More power than a 110 volt system. Larger systems and multiple plates are possible. Engine driven systems cost more and also involve a labor higher cost    

Condenser Cooling

The marine refrigeration systems condenser needs cooling. This is how the refrigerant gets cooled and turned into a liquid. There are 3 ways to cool the condenser;

Air Cooled

Air cooling simplifies installation plus it does not rely on water or adding through hulls. It is therefore the cheapest installation. For smaller units air cooling is OK, say 4 cu ft or under 6 cu ft you will get adequate performance. The air cooling unit needs a sufficient supply of re-circulated air for it to work. Ducting and space around the unit will help this.

When you cool by air flow you remove heat from the condenser and ad it to the ambient temperature. The temperature inside of the cabin only has enough capacity to disperse this heat.

Water cooled Condenser

Water cooled compressors will work better in higher ambient temperatures and are more efficient and can be 30% more efficient. Water cooling may be best and is better for larger installs especially if freezer is concerned. Water cooling needs a through hull and a pump to get the water to the condenser. The most efficient way to cool the condenser

Keel cooler Condenser

The keel cooler or keel condenser requires no through hull fitting and will not be subject to clogging. The keel cooler is a 3" x 7" bronze plate that mounts on the outside of the hull and it is the condenser heat exchanger. The bronze plates are connected direct to the compressor which is the only moving part in the system. The Keel Cooler is for a box up to a 15 cu ft refrigerator or 5 cu ft freezer. Since all the heat is passed into the water outside the boat it will does not heat up the interior. Since it works without a water pump there is never a pump or strainer to maintain and best of all it is nearly silent in operation.

Refrigeration Compressor & plate Combination

Before we pick a size of marine refrigerator we need to understand what factors are involved in keeping the refrigeration box cool. They are mainly box size, insulation and cooling water temperature, number of people aboard and the temperature you are setting the plates for.

Refrigerator Box Volume

This is obvious, the larger the box the more heat removal is necessary. A larger box will need more BTUs of heat removal. After this basic size issue we have things like, Front opening or top opening. Front opening lets cold air out quickly but does allow you to get to the bottom of the box. Drains, if you had a drain for you ice box plug it. You will not need to drain water out of the ice box and this will only let cold air out and heat in. Gaskets, these are a must and must be properly sealed. A trick to identify if there are gaps in the gasket is to put a piece of paper in between the lid or door and the cabinet and close it. Pull on the paper and you should feel some drag if the gaskets are sealing properly. It comes out easily there is a gap. Get new or better gasket material.

Insulation  

Typical insulation to a fridge or freezer is foam insulation like Dow Blue board. The recommendation is for 3-4 inches for refrigeration and 4-6 inches for freezer for medium sized boxes. Foam has an R value of 5 per inch thickness, R being a thermal unit. This means in terms of thermal units 3-4 inches represents 15-20R value for the refrigeration unit, and 20-30 for the freezer.

There are manufacturers of vacuum panel thermal insulation. The Glacier bay Barrier Ultra-R super-insulation at R-50 per inch provides lots of insulation without taking up valuable volume. These panels are vacuum panels and are sealed to work. It is very important that you do not drill through or puncture these panels. These panels are custom made, so you would need to provide the manufacturer, exact sizes with locations for copper plate tubes to enter the box. These are built into the panels.

Water temperature

In the tropics water temperature is a lot warmer then northern climates. For every degree water temperature increases a corresponding 2 % increase in required BTU. If you are in the Atlantic portions of the east coast US, you have some cool sea water temps, but of you then cruise down to the Caribbean you may strain your refrigeration system.

Plate Thermostat

The evaporator plate temperature is set by the thermostat. Dial the box temperature down and the system will have to work harder.

Number of people aboard

More people means the box gets opened more and the heat build up from more people adds to the ambient temperature.

How big a Refrigeration System is required?

To calculate how big a refrigeration or marine freezing unit required, you will need to start with an estimation of the BTU requirements of the box. A simple rule of thumb for estimating the BTUs is based on the box volume.

These BTU estimations are based on these assumptions;

- Insulation has an R value of 30 no leaks.
- Water temperatures are tropical in the mid 80s F.
- 2 people aboard, for each extra person add an additional 1,000 daily BTU
- Top opening box, for a front opening door add 15 BTU/inch of door

BTU estimate on refrigeration volume;

Refrigerator daily heat load; 600 Btu per cu. ft.

Freezer daily heat load; 1200 Btu per cu. ft

Lets look at how this works for the 4 cu ft refrigeration system, using the above formula

4 cu. ft. times 600  =   2,400 Btu.

Two additional people on board =   2,000 Btu.

Total required per day   = 4,400 Btu

Choosing 12 volt unit with Evaporator

Match this number to the compressor capabilities, and then calculate amps needed to power the system, and then work on the battery bank capability. Start by using the 4,400 BTU form the above example. The Adler Barbour Cold Machine uses the Danfoss BD50 Compressor is rated at 650BTU / hr based on 25F evaporator temp.

This is well above the 4,400/day we need for the 4 cu ft fridge, using only about 1/3 of the power. We could easily go down the Danfoss DB35.

Amps

To calculate how many amps the system will draw we start by converting BTUs to amps with this formula, using an assumption of 5 BTUs per watt hr of energy used. BTU/5/volts. so say we have 4400 BTUS and 12 volts, 4,400/5/12=74 amp hours/day.

Battery Bank

The Amps needed to power the compressor should be 1/4 of the capacity of the house bank. So for the above 74 amp hours needed multiply by 4 to get recommended house battery capacity = 296 amp hrs

Conclusion

These days being on the water means keeping food and drinks cold. 12 volt refrigeration units are becoming more popular with technological advances. Greater compressor efficiency and evaporator technology brings 12 volt cooling to the smallest of boats.

Marine Refrigeration

Mike Hobson is Editor for MyBoatsGear.com.

For the complete article see http://myboatsgear.com/newsletter/200915.asp

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Where to Meet Ukrainian Women - Part One - Kiev

It's a beautiful sunny day and I am out for a stroll in the city. Standing next to me at the street light, to my left, are a couple of stunning ladies, mid-twenties, a blonde and a brunette. Not only do they having beautiful facial features but equally beautiful slim bodies and long legs. But that is not all, they are dressed incredibly sexy even though they, like myself, are just out for a stroll or off to the supermarket. Hair and makeup perfect, nails manicured, high heels, sexy short skirts, and a button up top which, only half buttoned, shows ample cleavage and a hint of their equally sexy lingerie underneath.

I notice them looking at me and I make eye contact with the brunette, she gives me a little smile. They leave the curb before me and my eyes bathe in the beauty of the rear view of the ladies walking in front of me. And they don't just walk, they walk with the wiggle and swagger of a model walking down a runway. Before my thoughts can even turn to crossing the street myself, a drop dead gorgeous auburn haired beauty is coming towards me. No miniskirt, however, her skintight stretch pants and high heels suit her perfectly.

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She smiles and looks down as she passes me, I whip my head around to get a glimpse of her from behind and to enjoy the sexiness of the barely visible outlines of her thong underwear. I cross the street and there are two sexy blondes walking towards me. Again, I can't help but to snap my neck around as they walk by. Thirty seconds later and a 40ish woman is buying some produce at the market kiosk, just as slim and sexily dressed as the previous ladies. Again, the tight pants, thong underwear, generous display of cleavage, and just outright display of femininity. Pretty standard in this city. Another 30 seconds, 2 more beauties, my head turns. Another 20 seconds, 3 groups of sexy ladies coming from different directions.... head turn, head turn, head turn. I check my bag to see if I brought some ointment so that my neck does not get too sore from turning. Then... I wake up! Of course it is a dream, a paradise for men such as this can only exist in our dreams, right? Wrong....... WELCOME TO UKRAINE!!

Where to Meet Ukrainian Women - Part One - Kiev

I am a foreigner who has been living in Ukraine for many years. Many things have changed in Ukraine since I first arrived, but not the unbelievable number of sexy and beautiful Ukrainian women here. I am not exaggerating!! I routinely come across foreigners who are here for their first visit and when I can get their attention (which is difficult to do when there is a sexy bombshell walking by every 20-30 seconds) the most common comment I get is something like "Before coming to Ukraine I read about the beautiful girls here, but not in my wildest imagination could I have believed it could be a paradise like this. The guys back home are never going to believe me.". So come and visit Ukraine.. but don't forget your neck ointment, you are going to need it! You can even meet some hot Ukrainian women on reputable dating site before visiting Ukraine.

I have traveled extensively in Ukraine and Russia and, as in North America and Western Europe, every city has its own unique flavor. As for big cities, give me Kiev! I have lived in Moscow and I would choose Kiev over Moscow any day. Kiev is a beautiful and picturesque city nestled on a hill along the river. Unlike Moscow, Kiev is very green in the center with wide streets opening to the sky and for the most part it has retained its old style classic European architecture and atmosphere. When in Kiev I don't feel cramped in like I do in Moscow.

Kiev is the largest city in Ukraine and here there are beautiful ladies of all types. Not only do you have the ladies who were born and raised here but there are the students who come from all over Ukraine to study at Kiev's universities, the former students who stay after graduating, and those who come to the big city for job opportunities.

In general, compared to the smaller cities of Ukraine, you will meet a more sophisticated and educated type of woman in Kiev. But, that is a generality... you will meet all types. There is no lack of places to take your lady in Kiev, it has everything a large North American city has. There are restaurants to suit every budget (almost all world cuisines are represented), beautiful parks, pubs, night clubs, live music venues, concerts, special cultural events, live theatre, sports to watch (soccer/football, hockey, basketball), sports to play (beach volleyball, go karting, bowling, hockey), museums and more. There are big islands in the center of the river and in the summer that is where the action is. During the day the beaches are filled with bathing beauties, you can play volleyball, have a beer, or rent a paddle boat if you get bored with talking to all the gorgeous girls.. or bring her (them!) with you! And at night the outdoor dance clubs on the islands are alive with action.

Some romantic places to take a date include river cruises (day and evening cruises) and a place I really like is the outdoor museum in the forest at the edge of the city. It is a replica of a Ukrainian village and village life from various eras from years past complete with demonstrations of how they lived and worked. It covers a very large area so give yourself the entire day to enjoy it and wear comfortable shoes (even though your Ukrainian lady may be hesitant to give up her high heels it is probably wise for her to do so on this occasion).

If you don't have that much time to spend with just one lady then an equally romantic activity is a walk through the park which runs the length of the river hilltop in the center. During your journey along the hilltop you will find beautiful views of the river and city, flower beds, museums, a palace, historic monuments, monasteries, and last but not least, park benches for chatting and getting that first kiss!

A less intimate, but equally enjoyable activity where you can combine getting your souvenir shopping done while strolling with a beautiful lady, is a trip to Andriyivsky Uzviz street in the center. It is a picturesque setting, a cobblestone street that winds its way down the hill towards the river. It is lined with shops and street vendors/craftspeople selling all manner of souvenirs and gifts. If you are with a caring lady she will help you negotiate prices with the vendors so that you don't pay the top tourist price. If the only thing your lady seems to care about is what you can buy for her then I would seriously consider moving on to another lady. Remember no shortage of hot Ukrainian women so you have the luxury of dumping an undesirable beauty and moving on to another lady!

And finally, a little bit about getting around in Kiev. Likely you will arrive at the international airport in Borispyl which, like many world airports, is quite a distance from the center of the city. And, like many world airports, the taxi drivers are aggressive and are going to try to gouge you on the price. I would suggest you either arrange airport pickup in advance or have someone you trust negotiate for you. On one of my trips I introduced myself to the lady sitting next to me on the plane. It turned out she was friends with the President of Ukraine. I ended up getting a ride to the center of Kiev in the Presidents entourage of black Mercedes, no kidding! My point is, don't be afraid to strike up conversations, you never know what opportunities can come from it. There is also the option to take a bus to the center which I believe runs every half hour during the day and whose route ends at the train station. Once you are in the city there is transport everywhere, taxis, the subway (fast and cheap), minibuses, trolley buses, and streetcars. It is no problem to get around the city.

So, what are you waiting for? In Ukraine non-stop beautiful and sexy ladies is not a dream, it is a reality! There are so many of them and not enough eligible men. Come here and then you can be the one saying "not in my wildest imagination could I have believed it could be a paradise like this!"

Where to Meet Ukrainian Women - Part One - Kiev

Neil Sypher
Meet Ukrainian women today

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Differences of Tour Operators and Travel Agents

Tour Operators & travel Agents are different in Malaysia! And the public have had the wrong perception for long time. In Malaysia, Tour Operators and Travel Agents are different and play different roles. In a factory scenario, a Tour Operator is like the production department and the Travel Agent is like the Sales Department...

A Tour Operator is the organizer and provider of package holidays. It is often referred as the Ground Handler. The Tour Company will make contracts with hotels and resorts, airlines and ground transport companies like private cars, buses, vans, ferries and trains & etc. With all the necessary pricing and information compiled, the Tour Operator will draft detailed tour packages and distribute to Travel Agents in Travel Agent Directory in Malaysia and even overseas.

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The roles & responsibilities of a Tour Operator are booking and arranging:

Differences of Tour Operators and Travel Agents

- Transportation: Chaffered Car, Chartered Bus & Van, Air Ticket, Train Ticket, Ferry Ticket, Cruise Ticket, other transit modes and even special vehicles like trishaw.
- Tour Guide: All Tour Guides must be licensed by the Ministry of Tourism Malaysia after attending and examined in a professional Tourist Guide Courses.
- Sight Seeing: Entrance for tourist destinations, eco-tour, adventures tour, jungle trekking, snorkeling & scuba diving, island hopping and even handicraft or cultural & living experiences.
- Food & Beverage: Breakfast, Tea Time or Tea Break, Lunch & Dinner, whether by set, buffet or packed food.
- Accommodation: Hotels, Resorts, Service Apartments, Camping Sites, Dormitories, Training Camps, Chalets, Tree Houses or traditional houses & habitats that accommodating travelers.
- Activities: Tele-match, treasure hunt, paint ball, team building, outside office meeting...
- Special Events: Company dinner, karaoke contest.

On the other hand, Travel Agents do not operate tours. Travel agencies gives traveling advices to travelers, promote and sell the tour packages that they have from various Tour Operators, then administer the tour bookings. Travel Agents usually are set up in prime locations with heavy traffic such as beside the main roads, inside crowed shopping malls or at the ground floor of a landmark building.

The roles & responsibilities of a Travel Agent are:

- Selling ells travel related products and services, particularly package tours to end-user customers on behalf of third party travel suppliers, such as airlines, hotels, tour operator and tour companies, and cruise lines & etc.
- Most travel agents have a special department devoted to travel arrangements for business travelers, while some agencies specialize in commercial and business travelers.
- Some also serve as general service agents for foreign travel companies in different countries.
- Act as an agent for tour packages:
- Buy tour packages or tour services at discounts & sell with profits.
- Get commissions from suppliers & other tour companies.
- Act as a ticketing agent for transportation (e.g. airlines, ferry, bus, train & etc).
- Other commercial operations are undertaken: insurance, travel guides, car rental, Bureau de change, private tour guide & etc.
- Offer impartial travel advice to the customer.

Next time, if you traveling in small group less than 10 travelers, it is advisable to engage a Travel Agent. Do not try to find the best travel agent in Malaysia. There is no such myth! Just go with the travel agent that suit your traveling needs and budgets or the tour agent that you trusted the most. However, if you are organizing a group tour like company tour, a Tour Operator will be able to provide you a more suitable tailor-made service.

The above information are guidelines and advices that 88Holidays provided to its Corporate Clients in organizing group tour. It is simple but useful information to help organizing a successful company tour with many years experiences.

Differences of Tour Operators and Travel Agents

EIGHTY-EIGHT HOLIDAYS (M) SDN BHD (88Holidays) is the tour company under 88Group of Companies. As one of the top group tour operator in Malaysia, 88Holidays is specialized in organizing company tour, meeting and training packages, conferences & conventions, tele-match and treasure hunt, team building workshops, company dinner & etc for companies & factories! The only testimonial 88Holidays is proud of is its repeating corporate clients who let this trusted tour operator organizes their company tours in Malaysia and even overseas years after years.

If you are planning for company's events, activities and company tours within or outside Malaysia, it is best to first contact 88Holidays at General@88Holidays.com or Malaysia hotline 1-700-80-1388. To view its clients' activities or group photos, please go to http://www.88Holidays.com.

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Retirement In Wyoming - One Of The Best States For Retirees

Many retirees, who are looking to get away from the urban rat race, are moving to Wyoming. There you can find affordable housing, no state income tax, and overwhelming beauty. Some of our best memories come from the years that we lived in Wyoming. We found the people to be welcoming to newcomers and the landscape awe-inspiring.

As the least populated state in the union, antelope, elk, buffalo, and bear often out number the residents. However, there are very few places left where you can have the privacy and freedom that you find in Wyoming. The state is home to such breathtaking scenery as that found in Yellowstone National Park, The Grand Teton National Park, Bighorn Canyon, Wind River Canyon, and Shoshone National Forest.

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Wyoming is an outdoor paradise. In summers, the residents and visitors can enjoy hiking, fly fishing, rock climbing, boating, mountain biking, paragliding, and river rafting. During the winters, there is plenty of cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, and ice fishing.

Retirement In Wyoming - One Of The Best States For Retirees

Some of the cities in Wyoming that retirees have discovered are:

Cheyenne, which is the state capital of Wyoming, is located in the extreme southeastern part of the state. Beautiful countryside, low crime rate, and affordability help to make Cheyenne one of the best towns to retire in. It is surprising to find a town of this size with such quality healthcare, art galleries, museums, and a Civic Center. In July, Cheyenne also hosts the Cheyenne Frontier Days, which is the largest outdoor rodeo in the nation. Laramie, located on the Laramie River between the Snowy Range and the Laramie Range, is home to the University of Wyoming - the state's only 4-year educational institution. Located two and a half hours from Denver, Colorado, Laramie has the benefits of nearby big city life and the charm of small town living. Jackson Hole is filled with luxury resorts, sushi bars, fine restaurants, and spas - which you don't expect to find in such an isolated area. However, unlike other sophisticated ski resorts, the people in Jackson Hole are more concerned with skiing than appearances.

For those who can tolerate the long winters, Wyoming can be one of the best states to retire in.

Retirement In Wyoming - One Of The Best States For Retirees

Bobbye Henderson is the webmaster of http://www.retireamericanstyle.com/. For more information and ideas on retirement in the United States, be sure to check out this website.

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Living on a Cruise Ship Full Time

Have you ever dreamt about living on a Cruise Ship forever?

Traveling the world, seeing all kinds of exotic places, cruising forever with not a care in the world.

Luxury Cruising

It is now a reality, and several possibilities exist.

Living on a Cruise Ship Full Time

1. The World of ResidenSea was launched in 2002 as a condominium-style residential community contained on a 644-foot cruise ship, complete with restaurants, a spa and fitness center and other amenities similar to what you'd find on a typical mid-size cruise liner.

As with land-based condo resorts, short-term rentals of a week or more may be arranged without committing to ownership, and a wide range of ports is included on The World's ongoing circumnavigation of the globe.
Residensea has problems.

-disputes between owners of Condos on the ship and tourists.

Owners want to stay in exciting ports for several days, tourists that the ship needs to get full occupancy to cover the cost of unsold suites want to move from port to port every day.

Sales of actual condos on the ship have stalled due to fears of terrorism, uncertainty in financial markets and uncertainty about the future of the ship.

Annual maintenance costs run at 0,000 per suite while an actual suite now costs 1.9 to 4 million dollars.
This ad recently appeared on the Internet:

"Rent an outside luxury cabin

from 0 a day"

From somebody who owns 2 cabins on the ResidenSea.

That runs to ,000 per month.

2. Join an organization that will buy a used Cruise Ship and convert it to Condos.

This concept has been tried and failed.

The practical problems were just too great.

-Trying to get enough people interested

-Trying to get commitments from people

-Trying to find a ship that was not going to fall apart immediately upon leaving the harbor

-Trying to get cash from people before a ship was bought.

And these were just problems BEFORE a ship was even bought.

Think about the problems there would be after the ship was bought.

3. Buy regular cruises on an on-going basis.

This seems the only practical way in which you can live permanently on a Cruise Ship.

Here are the estimated costs based on double occupancy starting on the cheap:

Basic Cruise Costs; 0 per day x 2 people = 00 per month

This includes gratuities, all you can eat and port costs.

Independent costs of living for Seniors seems to be about 00 per month per person = 00

This includes food.

So for 00 per month extra a couple can live on a Cruise Ship (or ships) forever.

The advantages of this type of living if you have that extra ,000 per year to spend are these:

-Quality of the meals on a Cruise Ship is probably a lot better than what you would get in an independent living type of situation.

-You can vary cruise lines, use a Caribbean Cruise Line this month, an Alaska Line next month
and a European Line for the next 6 months.

-Shows every night.

-Built-in new friends every week or so. Most cruises end within 7 days and a new crop of potential friends arrives for you to interact with.

-An entire Cruise Staff to help you with ANYTHING if you have a problem.

So, if you want to live on a Cruise Ship: ,000 a year is all it takes for 2 people.

Living on a Cruise Ship Full Time

J Shipper is very interested in living on a Cruise Ship forever and in traveling the world. Check out these sites for more information:

[http://www.2qz.com/condo-cruise-ship] http://www.condo-cruise-ship.com

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Vacation Rentals, Your Home Away From Home

Every moment of a vacation is precious you'll want to make the most of your time away from home. Yet, the time spent at a hotel after a great day is often dull when you are confined to a single room. A vacation rental is a far better alternative because it gives you space, freedom and amenities you won't find in a hotel. Read on to know more.

Vacations are exciting and anxiously awaited. Time spent researching the destination and the many entertainment options available is incredible. However, the time spent at the hotel room after a full day often seems dull and routine. Do you ever wish you had a vacation home of your own, so you could enjoy your vacation to the max? The freedom, privacy and flexibility of a vacation home are unmatched. While owning numerous vacation homes in multiple locations is unlikely, a vacation rental offers very much the same to you. The space, freedom, privacy and the comfortable homey feeling that you yearn for in a hotel are available in vacation rentals. It's like having have a vacation home at every destination.

Luxury Cruising

What's is so special about a vacation rental? Unlike a hotel room where all the family members are cramped into one room, these rentals offer much needed space. While you might want to relax after a full day of fun and excitement, the kids might have other ideas. Kids, especially, might feel stifled in a small hotel room and where there's no place to stretch out on the floor and play a game. These rentals not only provides more rooms, but also many amenities like multiple TV, books, games and maybe even a DVD collection. You'll find many of things that you'll find in your own home. Some of these rentals also feature a swimming pool, hot tub and even nearby golf courses and horse stables. It really depends on how much luxury you want in your vacation and your budget restraints.

Vacation Rentals, Your Home Away From Home

These rentals often cost less than a hotel room even though they offer more amenities. In fact, these rentals can save you money in other ways too. With your own fully-equipped kitchen, you can alternate between home cooking and eating at local restaurants, which saves on a considerable part of your total expenses. Also, you won't have to pay outrageous prices for night time snacks nor will you have to tip the hotel staff. Though these may not seem like big issues, your money is better spent on activities you enjoy during your vacation.

On the flip side, renters need to be careful when selecting a vacation rental and do a thorough check to ensure that you are equipped with the facilities you require. You can ensure this by selecting a vacation rental from a range of available vacation rentals from a reputable company. With a little careful planning however, it will be an enthralling experience that you will remember and look forward to again.

Vacation Rentals, Your Home Away From Home

This article has been written by an expert working with Perfect Places, a leading company offering Hawaii Maui vacation rentals, vacation rentals and vacation rentals at several destinations all over the world.

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Rumors, Wild Parties and Women Traveling Alone on Cruise Ships, True Or False?

The rumor is cruise ships have wild parties?

True or False?

Luxury Cruising

It depends on who you ask.

Rumors, Wild Parties and Women Traveling Alone on Cruise Ships, True Or False?

If you are middle age and want to retire to your cabin by 11:00 PM, there will be hundreds of couples who will be doing the same thing.

If you are a night owl and want to party half the night (or, in some cases, all night) you will have a lot of company.

If you choose to gamble in the Las Vegas style casino half-the night- no problem, its open.

If you are hungry after the nightly entertainment, no problem, there is a 24 hour buffet with international delights.

If you are a computer geek and need to go online, visit the Internet cafe.

If you want to sit on your private balcony and watch the stars, this too, is a popular option alone with room service and after dinner delights and spirits.

I am not sure if wild parties occur, the only evidence I have is the late breakfast crowd who wear sun glasses during breakfast!

So the answer to the question has to be, if you are looking for a wild party, I am sure you can find one. If you are looking for peace, relaxation, time for reflection, romance, second honeymoon or even a honeymoon atmosphere, you can find that too.

Second Rumor: A Lot of Single Women Cruise.

True.

Cruises are an excellent vacation for women traveling alone. More and more women can afford luxury vacations; however, they don't take the vacations because they don't have a travel partner. This excuse does not hold water any more. There were dozens and dozens of single women traveling alone on all the cruises I have taken in the past 5 years.

Women traveling alone have several options for meals, some women sit alone in the formal dinning room and read a book, while others, order room service to their cabin. Others sit at tables that are organized as people enter the formal dinning room. Many single travelers, men and women go to the 24 hour buffet. Its much more relaxed and you have, in my opinion a lot more choices in food selection.

For those of you who need more activity late into the night, yet do not want to join the party crowd, take your lap top and bring video CDs for movies you have always wanted to see. Most ships have TVs with satellite hookups; and you can usually find a movie or two on TV.

As for the Shore Excursions, being alone is no problem, this is where you see the true value of your trip. You travel in groups and it is always suggested that you stay with the group. You meet so many wonderful people that you won't have a problem meeting people who have your same interest.

For most cruise lines you can set up appointments for the spa and registrations for shore excursions, online before your cruise departs. This is highly recommended, because the spa books up quickly and so do a lot of the popular shore excursions.

Rumors, Wild Parties and Women Traveling Alone on Cruise Ships, True Or False?

Sandy Ingram is the publisher of Xica Love Stories, e-Publication; love stories online. Join hunderds of others who have sign up for free love stories each month at http://xicalovestories.com/

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Best Christmas Gifts For Your Wife

Your wife is easier to shop for than you might think, as long as you know her well. Women, in general, are romantic creatures who love to see that you still see her through loving eyes and with a tender heart. Another way to impress your wife is to buy her a gift that says you pay attention to those things in life she most enjoys, so when choosing a great Christmas gift for your wife, take along this list of suggestions suitable for every budget.

Best Christmas Gift For Your Wife -- Think Together Time

Luxury Cruising

1. Buy your wife a gift card for dinner out at a romantic restaurant. Slip it into a hand-written invitation to join you there soon for a quiet dinner for two.

Best Christmas Gifts For Your Wife

2. Buy a pair of cozy pajamas for each of you. Place them in a pretty gift basket. Add a great DVD you've both been wanting to watch, some microwave popcorn, and a soft throw blanket in her favorite color. Include a note asking her if the two of you can get cozy and watch a movie together soon.

3. Get a gorgeous calendar, and mark a day a month on it designated as "couple time only."

4. Another great gift for together time is a basket full of things for a shower or bath for two: candles, body wash, a couple of fluffy towels, and some massage lotion makes for a romantic evening bath together.

5. Say you love her all over again with a beautiful classic piece of jewelry: a diamond eternity ring, a string of real pearls, or a pair of diamond earrings.

6. Make reservations for a weekend away. Write up the itinerary, slip it into a pretty Christmas card, and tuck it among the branches of the Christmas tree.

Best Christmas Gift For You Wife -- Hobbies and Interests

1. Does she scrapbook? Buy her a new one and slip a few of your favorite photos of the two of you between the pages.

2. For the book lover, buy her some of the paper backs she's been wanting to read, or buy her a set of leather bound classics.

3. Get her a great leather tote bag to store her yarn, her sewing things, or her workout gear.

4. Buy her a great piece she's been wanting to add to whatever she loves to collect.

5. Best Christmas gift for whatever she enjoys the most: a coffee table book full or information and great photos.

6. If the budget allows and she loves to travel, buy cruise tickets for the two of you.

Best Christmas Gift For Your Wife -- The Fashion Loving Woman

1. A gift card to her favorite fashion store put inside a romantic Christmas card is a great present.

2. Buy her a cashmere scarf and matching gloves in her favorite color.

3. Sneak a peek at her sweater size, and buy her one in a color that matches her eyes.

4. Write her a romantic letter offering to take her shopping for a brand new outfit, treat's on you. It says you know her well but saves you wondering about sizes and styles. Include a gift card to a nice cafe for lunch out to round out the day.

5. Are shoes her thing? Find an empty shoe box, fill it with a variety of stocking stuffer items, and slip in a gift card to her favorite shoe boutique.

6. Write her a love letter or draw her a silly picture. Put it in a frame, and tuck into the corner a gift card to her favorite spa for a massage or a pedicure to wind down after her next shopping day.

It's still the thought that really does count the most, and any of these great Christmas gifts will tell your wife: I know you well and I think the world of you!

Best Christmas Gifts For Your Wife

Karen Chaffee is a freelance writer, poet, and artist living in Michigan.

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Choosing an Outboard Motor For Your Dinghy

30 years ago American manufacturers dominated the outboard motor market.Names such as Mercury, Johnson, Evinrude and Chrysler, led the field competing with each other to produce bigger and better outboard engines. However, while this was going on they were neglecting the smallest of the outboards. These are the outboard motors that sell in the greatest of numbers and are often the first outboard many of us, buy. This being the case many of us stick to the same brand (brand loyalty) as we buy other bigger outboards over the years. The Japanese seized on this fact and gradually Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Tohatsu concentrating on small outboards began to take over as market leaders. They achieved this domination by improving efficiency and reliability. As well as adding features to these small outboards previously only found on larger engines.

Having achieved success in the small outboard market, these Japanese manufacturers expanded up the power range. They again came to dominate the outboard engine market up to at least 20 hp. The American manufacturers instead of competing with the Japanese, gave up and decided to buy these engines from the Japanese and badge them as their own. Now the Chinese have entered the market. Basically doing what the Japanese did previously, copying the best features of the present engines and at the same time keeping costs down.

Luxury Cruising

So let us compare the outboards that are on offer for those looking for an outboard motor for their dinghy. If we take a fairly larger dinghy say, a Pioner 12, so that each outboard has to push a reasonably heavy weight through the water. If we then take the following outboard motors :

Choosing an Outboard Motor For Your Dinghy

Mercury 2.5hp; Mercury 3.5hp; Mariner 2.5hp; Tohatsu 3.5hp; Yamaha 2.5hp; Suzuki 2.5hp; Honda 2.3hp; and a Parsun 2.6hp. All these outboards are 4 stroke engines. This is due to an E.U. Directive that prevents 2 strokes from being sold in the E.U. These outboards will provide a fairly wide range of engines available on the market, for powering dinghies.

To judge one engine against the another several tests were completed. A Bollard pull test showed that the Mercury 3.5hp and Tohatsu 3.5hp were the most powerful at 90lbs of thrust (These two engines along with the Mariner are virtually identical). The least effective was the Honda 2.3hp at 66lbs of thrust. In between were the Suzuki 2.5hp at 83lbs of thrust, the Yamaha 2.5hp at 78lbs of thrust and the Parsun 2.6hp at 70 lbs of thrust.

Next test was Fuel Consumption. At full speed - 5.75 knots, the best outboards were the Yamaha 2.5hp and the Suzuki 2.5hp by at least 20%. The worst was the Parsun 2.6hp. When the throttles were eased and the dinghy was cruising the Fuel Consumption comparison was less evident, only about 10% difference. All these figures are for 4 stroke engines. However, based on figures previously recorded for 2 strokes under similar circumstances, the older engines were up to 50% less fuel efficient at full speed. Very thirsty! Remember 2 stroke outboards are still available second hand.

Then the weight of each outboard motor was compared. Four stroke engines are heavier than older 2 strokes because of the powerhead etc. The Mercury, Mariner, Tohatsu, Yamaha and Parsun all weighed approx. 38 - 41 lbs (18 kg.). However, the Honda 2.3hp and Suzuki 2.5hp weighed a lot less at 28 lbs (12.5 kg.).

The price of each outboard motor was then compared. This was difficult to be accurate as discounts and sale offers are always changing.

Mercury 3.5hp £449
Mercury 2.5hp £380
Mariner 2.5hp £429
Tohatsu 3.5hp £449
Yamaha 2.5hp £489
Suzuki 2.5hp £379
Honda 2.3hp £429
Parsun 2.6hp £375

Although the Parsun was the cheapest and it is virtually identical the same engine as in the Yamaha 2.5hp, it is not as good. It is a bit like me following a Gordon Ramsay recipe, to the letter, but when compared side by side you just know that his is going to be that much better. The Chinese are able to copy, just like the Japanese did before them, but they have not got it right, yet!

Finally a little about each outboard tested. The Mercury, Mariner and Tohatsu are the same engine. Starting settings for the throttle are easy to understand with the choke and stop button clearly labelled. The petrol on/off tap is not so clearly marked. All these motors have gears. Ahead and neutral then using the 360 degree rotation you can get astern thrust. There are 4 tilt positions and a shallow water ability. Oil levels can be easily checked by viewing the indicator on the side of the engine cover.

The Yamaha 2.5hp also had easily understood starting and stopping settings but the oil level gauge was out of sight under the engine casing cover. As with the Mercury outboard the Yamaha 2.5hp has gears, ahead and neutral with 360 degree rotation. Unlike the Mercury which has a shear pin, the Yamaha has a rubber hub at the propeller, so no shear pin to break.

The Suzuki 2.5hp is as above but with the oil gauge easily viewed at the side of the cover. The propeller has a shear pin with spares stowed under the engine cover.

The Honda 2.3hp is not water cooled like all the other outboards tested. It is aircooled and has no gears. Instead it uses a centrifugal clutch. This makes starting and maneuvering more difficult than the others. It simply takes a bit of getting used to it. The oil gauge is out of sight under the cover. The propeller has a shear pin with spares kept under the engine cover.

Finally the Parsun 2.6hp, a copy of the Yamaha 2.5hp but not as good. However it is the cheapest engine when new. Fuel consumption was its biggest draw back.

Choosing an Outboard Motor For Your Dinghy

Ian McCulloch has been sailing and boating almost all of his life. For the past 35 years he has been building boats of all types. At present he builds fibreglass dinghies. Ian has several websites, one which concentrates on outboard motors - http://www.sailorpower.co.uk
For more information on outboard motors why not visit his website.

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Luxury Yachts

Luxury yachts may not be anything new but they have become larger in recent years, and when it comes to individuals associated with luxury yachts there is no name bigger than the Russian Billionaire Roman Abramovich.

Roman Abramovich is the owner of three of the biggest luxury yachts sailing on the world's oceans. Abramovich's fleet consists of the Ecstasea, Pelorus and the Eclipse. Pelorus is the world's eleventh largest private yacht and cost about 0million when it was built in 2003. Abramovich had it fitted out by Blohm & Voss to his own personal taste. It is almost permanent found cruising around the Mediterranean although it does venture further a field during the summer months. The Pelorus though hit the headlines when it was lent to John Terry and Frank Lampard in 2005 for being the best Chelsea players during the previous season. John Terry also was allowed to have his honeymoon on board in 2007.

Luxury Cruising

The Pelorus is though dwarfed by Abramovich's latest acquisition the Eclipse. When it comes to private luxury yachts there is no larger vessel than the Eclipse, and is a spectacular boat. This though is not surprising when you consider the price that Abramovich has paid for the boat. As far as luxury yachts go there is currently nothing that can match it.

Luxury Yachts

The Eclipse has two helipads and a hanger for a private submarine, additional transport is also provided by four launches and twenty jet skis. It is perhaps the submarine hanger that is most impressive as it is built into the hull of the Eclipse and allows for Abramovich to leave undetected if so desired. Built over nine levels the boat also comes with a swimming pool, several hot tubs, as well as sleeping facilities for twenty four guests and thirty staff. As far as luxury yachts go the Eclipse also has an impressive cruising speed of twenty five knots.

Modern technology also abounds and unlike many other luxury yachts comes with many privacy and security settings. There are light sensors to guard against the flashes from paparazzi cameras, as well as motion sensors to detect intruders. Also in case of airborne attack there is also a missile detection system.

When it comes to luxury yachts, Roman Abramovich certainly has the largest and best fleet going. Then again with the money to spend it would not be unthinkable for him to commence building a larger and better vessel in the near future.

Luxury Yachts

Robert Grazian is an accomplished niche website developer and author.

To learn more about luxury yachts [http://bestyachtsforsale.info/luxury-yachts/] visit Best Yachts For Sale [http://bestyachtsforsale.info/] for current articles and discussions.

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