November 27, 2008

 The Continental Journey

We are not human beings on a spiritual journey.

We are spiritual beings on a human journey.

...Stephen Covey

GOWAY’S INCENTIVES FOR COOK ISLANDS

IslandsEscapes...by Goway has added-value offers for travellers to the Cook Islands. Starting from $2,189 p. p. for departure from Vancouver, packages include 12 nights accommodation, transfers and airport welcome. Different accommodations are available and offer various benefits, including free accommodation, free breakfast, free car rental or food and beverage resort credits. Bookings made before Dec 27 will be entered into a draw for a trip for two to the Cook Islands, including return airfare from Los Angeles, and five nights accommodation.
www.goway.com

FUN SUN/ ALASKA AIRLINES

Fun Sun Vacations’ “Kids Fly Free” promotion with Alaska Airlines is back. The offer is valid for all new bookings made March 18, 2009 for travel between Jan. 7 to June 17. Departure cities include Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, Edmonton and Calgary for travel to LAX, Long Beach, Orange County and San Diego. The offer is also valid for departures from Vancouver to Burbank and Ontario, California.
www.funsunagent.com

SKI COUNCIL MAKES PASS AVAILABLE TO MORE STUDENTS

The Canadian Ski Council’s SnowPass program for Grade 5 students has been revamped to now include fourth graders. Anyone in Grades 4 or 5 or who was born in 1998 or 1999 can now apply for a SnowPass. Every SnowPass booklet provides the child with up to three free lift ticket coupons at each of the participating ski/snowboard areas, meaning they will have hundreds of chances to ski/ride free. Over 150 ski/snowboard areas are participating.
www.snowpass.ca

PEAK-2-PEAK TRAM UNITES MOUNTAINS

The countdown is on to the opening of the Peak 2 Peak gondola at Whistler Blackcomb, which will join the two BC mountains. The record-setting tram is scheduled to start running on Dec. 12. The Peak 2 Peak cabins will cover 4.4 km. in just 11 minutes over the ravine that divides Whistler from Blackcomb. At its highest, they will be 415 metres above the ground the world highest over a valley floor.
The tram has 28 sky cabins, each of which can hold up to 28 people. www.whistlerblackcomb.com

Meanwhile, those who are a little more vertically challenged
can opt for a horse-drawn sleigh ride, guided by majestic Clydesdale-Percheron horses. The sleighs are designed for cold weather comfort with padded bench seats and warm blankets. Rides cost as little as $35 p.p. or up to $99, including a four-course gourmet fondue dinner.

www.blackcombsleighrides.com

WIN DISNEY TRIP IN ’09

Visitors to Disney Parks in 2009 will be asked “What will you celebrate?” and one lucky Canadian will win a customized vacation for four, including five nights at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida or Disneyland Resort in California. The Disney vacation can be customized with extras such as a dinner for four at Cinderella’s Royal Table or a Grand One Yacht breakfast for four. Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts will be adding new entertainment and services that allow guests to customize their personal milestones into Disney experiences. Canadian residents can enter the celebration sweepstakes by mail
or online at www.disneyparks.ca.
All entries must be received before March 1, 2009.
www.disneyparks.ca

6 Ways to Prepare Your Home Before Travelling

What to know before you go Emily Wexler

Making sure your home is safe while you’re away should be a top priority. Use our checklist to help you keep track of what needs to be done before you leave.

1. Spread the word (sparingly)
Tell a trusted friend or family member that you’re going out of town and leave him or her with all of your contact information. Neighbours are a good choice for this job because they’re always keeping an eye on the community, says Frank Fourchalk, a home-security consultant based in Surrey, B.C. “If they see anything suspicious going on, they can be the first ones to contact you.” However, only tell a neighbour you trust,if you don’t feel comfortable letting someone know your house will be empty, don’t do it.

2. Secure your home
There’s more to locking up your house than simply turning the key. It may seem obvious, but Fourchalk says he’s shocked by how many people don’t properly secure their doors and windows before going on vacation. To ensure that your house is protected while you’re away, install deadbolts on all doors leading to the inside of the house, including the inside garage door. Insert a wooden dowel inside all sliding windows and doors for extra protection, and drill screws inside the top of window tracks to eliminate any gaps. This will prevent intruders from lifting the window our of the track to gain entry into your home.

3. Create a lighting plan
It’s a good idea to leave your lights on while you’re away, but a house that’s lit up like a Christmas tree all day and night could indicate your absence. Consider investing in outdoor lights with motion detectors, suggests Fourchalk. “The secret behind putting in motion lighting on the exterior of the home is making sure you have it up high enough that burglars can’t reach up and unscrew the bulbs,” he advises. Timers for both indoor and outdoor lights are another great option. You can purchase memory timers that will track your normal lighting habits and imitate them when you’re away. Or, think about installing light sensors that turn on when it gets dark.

4.Don’t let the house look empty
Keep your home looking lived-in while you’re away so that your house won’t appear to be an easy target for prowlers. Ask a neighbour or friend to regularly pick up your mail so that it won’t pile up when you’re gone. You might also want to ask them to park their car in your driveway to give the appearance of someone coming and going. Also, think about hiring a landscaper or neighbourhood kid to rake leaves, shovel snow or mow your lawn, depending on the season.

5. Clean up outside
Put away any forgotten tools, ladders or other items that an intruder could use to get inside your home. Also, make sure trees and shrubs are trimmed, Fourchalk says. “You want to open up the sightlines so that if someone is driving by your home, they can see all the doors and windows.” Trim your shrubs down to about 90 centimetres high and snip the bottom branches of tall trees, up to about two metres above the ground. This will allow an unobstructed view of your house from the street, making it less attractive to thieves. 

6. Make sure you're covered
Insurance policies differ in terms of home coverage while you're away. Read the terms of your policy carefully before leaving your home for any length of time or speak to your insurance provider for advice.

It is good to appreciate that life is now.

Whatever it offers, little or much, life is now this day this hour.
-- Charles Macomb Flandrau