Remedy For Animal Bites

Home Based Remedy For Animal Bites If you are bitten by any animal, be it a pet or a wild one, you need to take necessary precautions to prevent any form of infection or disease. Dogs and cats are the most favoured animals. But at times they are not that attractive. They are responsible for more than a million bites the world over, with children suffering from half of them. Cats love to scratch their nails on your body. Your other pet hamster has bitten your fingers. Your parrot has poked you with its beak. There are a variety of ways that animals can hurt you. Their bites should not be ignored. Dogs and cats in particular contain bacteria in their saliva and can cause infection. Hence if you are bitten by any animal, even household ones, you should be treated by a doctor. But you can also follow the tips given below along with other medications to speed up healing: SCROLL DOWN FOR TIPS...
Clean the Wound by wash it thoroughly: After you have controlled the bleeding by pressing firmly against the wound with your hand, clean the wound thoroughly with soap and warm water to remove any traces of saliva and any other contamination as soon as possible. Continue washing for full five minutes. You can also wash the wound with anti-bacterial liquid poured on a cotton ball and apply it to the infected area. Cover the wound: Cover the wound with a bandage to protect it from infection. The bandage should be applied loosely so that the wound does not fester due to lack of exposure to air. You can also cover the wound with a sterile gauze pad. Take a pain reliever: All bites are painful, even those that do not break the skin. Hence, take aspirin or acetaminophen to reduce the pain. Do not wait for the area to swell. Elevate the area if possible and apply ice or cold pack wrapped in a towel. But avoid giving aspirin to children. To prevent swelling apply ice pack over the wound. For pain relief take pain killers. Do not give these to children, as it may lead to further complications. Herbs and External Medicines For any animal bite, apply a mixture of castor oil and lime juice. Simultaneously you can have one glass of warm water mixed with honey and lime juice to alleviate pain. The puncture wounds of cats tend to heal from outside which can lead to abscesses. To avoid such problems take extra care to keep the wound open. You can wash the wound with saline solution, later add half or one drop of Calendula (Calendula officinalis) to the solution for the same purpose till it is completely healed. For internal problems have one drop of Calendula (Calendula officinalis) per 10 pound bodyweight for the external healing process. You can apply antibiotic ointment to the bitten area twice daily, till it' s completely healed. Ibuprofen Gel For pain and swelling from insect stings, is an excellent anti-inflammatory with quick onset. Take 1 teaspoon basil (tulsi) leaf juice and drink with water. Also apply externally. Aloe vera from plants and creams. Apply gel directly on the spot. Or dilute with water, put it in a spray bottle and spray it on the spot. Take ½ teaspoon ground black cumin seeds (shah jeera), twice daily Take vitamin C in the form of fresh vegetables and fruits. Juices of these vegetables and fruits are easily digested and they have the capability to fight infection, an important property while tackling animal bites. Intake of vitamin B supplements produces antibodies that fight infection. Goldenseal tea works great as an antibiotic. It can also be applied directly on the bitten area for the benefits of its natural antibiotic properties. Avoid using it during pregnancy or if there is a history of cardiovascular disease , diabetes or glaucoma. Seeking proper guidance prior to use is advised. If the bite is deep or if the wound bleeds continuously, you should visit the doctor immediately. If the bite is caused by a stray animal, you are better off visiting the doctor. You should also visit the doctor if there is any swelling, redness or pain around the wound. More Info :articlesbase.com

Diet Tips for Optimum Health

What You Should Eat For Optimum Health We often wonder what we should eat for optimum health and even the US government has recently flip flopped its food pyramid which you can see at MyPyramid.gov(Official website of United States Department of Agriculture). Here's an overview of the 2005 dietary guidelines from the government. First off, according to the new US government guidelines a healthy diet is one that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk products and will include lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, and nuts.
	The diet will also be low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt, and added sugars. The main theme the US government is proposing now is to eat a diet rich in grains and to make half of the grains you eat whole grains. Whole grains contain the entire grain kernel -- the bran, germ, and endosperm, some examples would be: • whole-wheat flour • bulgur (cracked wheat) • oatmeal • whole cornmeal • brown rice Next you should "vary your veggies" and in general buy fresh vegetables in season, stock up on frozen vegetables and buy vegetables that are easy to prepare.
For the best nutritional value, choose vegetables with more potassium such as sweet potatoes and spinach and limit sauces which can add fats, sodium and additional calories. Prepare more of your foods from fresh ingredients to lower sodium. Most sodium comes from packaged and processed foods. One suggestion for a healthy diet is to try using a salad as the main dish for lunch and go light on the salad dressing. Focus on fruits. To help you keep focus, have a bowl of fruit always available on the table, counter, or in the refrigerator. Keep cut fruit in the refrigerator and buy fresh fruits in season whenever possible. Buy frozen, dried, and canned fruits as well so you will always have some kind of fruit on hand. Choose whole fruits or cut fruits over juices whenever possible for the fiber benefits. Choose fruits high in potassium such as bananas, apricots, and cantaloupe. Put cut fruit on your breakfast cereal. At lunch, take a tangerine, banana, or some grapes. For dinner, add crushed pineapple or mandarin oranges in a tossed salad. Get calcium rich foods and include low fat or fat free milk as a beverage at meals. Have fat-free yogurt as a snack. Use low-fat cheeses on salads and casseroles. For those who cannot consume milk products due to lactose intolerance choose lactose free alternatives to get your calcium such as cheese, yogurt, and lactose-free milk. Go lean with protein. The suggestions for your protein intake are to use the leanest cuts of meats such as top sirloin and pork loin and whenever choosing ground beef go with extra lean that is identified as at least 90% lean. Buy skinless chicken parts as the fat is in the skin. Choose lean turkey and all kinds of fish. To keep your meat intake lean and as free of fat as possible, broil, grill, roast, or boil your meat choices instead of frying and drain off any fat that appears during cooking. Choose dry beans such as kidney beans and use them as the main part of a meal often. Make use of nuts for snacks and use them to sometimes replace meat or poultry.

What is Colon Transient Time

Colon Transient Time Your colon transient time is the time it takes the food you eat to travel from your mouth through your rectum. A healthy time is 18 to 25 hours. This time relates to how long the food you eat stays in your intestinal tract and colon. Food, fecal matter or chyme in your colon should not stay longer than 12 hours otherwise you have constipation. The other 12 hours, your food is in your stomach and small intestine. Many doctors and others in the health field may tell you that it is ok not to have a bowel movement everyday. This really goes against common sense. If you eat every day, you should have a bowel movement everyday or 18 to 25 hours after you eat.
	Long-term constipation is responsible for the start of practically all body illnesses and diseases. For this reason keeping regular is critical for your health. Constipation leads to auto-toxicity or self-poisoning of your body. When toxins move into your blood stream instead of out of your body with the fecal matter, the liver and other body organs become overwhelmed and become sluggish. With a toxic colon, you will have a hard time keeping free of disease and you will find it very difficult to lose weight. Slow moving fecal matter in the colon causes re-absorption of fats and cholesterol back into your blood stream and liver instead of out of the body. This can lead to a "fatty liver", which cannot digest fats properly and has to store them in its own cells, other organs, and body cells as pure fat.
Determining Your Transient Time Here's how to determine your transient time. First thing in the morning, drink one of the following drinks. · one ounce of liquid chlorophyll, the juice of one lemon and 8 oz. of distilled water. · or if you like beet juice, use 6-8 oz. of beet juice. You can buy the juice or make your own if you have a juicer. Buy a small bottle of liquid chlorophyll that does not have peppermint added. The peppermint added has to strong of a taste for me. The cost is around $8.00 Check to see how long it takes to see green or red in your stools. This is your transient time. Average transient time is around 21 hours. If your transient time exceeds 26 to 30 hours, then you have a mild case of constipation. If your transient time 31 to 36 you are constipated. If your transient time is 37 to 48 hour you have chronic constipation. Check your transient time now. Go get a bottle of chlorophyll and do the transient time test. Happy Health!

Confidence Building Tips

Steps to Building Your Self-Confidence Accept yourself Do what you want! Find a group of friends Forgive others Walk with God Set goals and just do it! Accept yourself The very first step in building self-confidence is to accept yourself in an unconditional way. You are human, therefore you are not perfect, so don't dwell on what you see as flaws. Everyone has qualities that someone else does not. This is what makes us want to go out and find partners who give us love, and make us feel wanted and complete. Those great feelings would not be possible if you were perfect. Accept yourself how you are. It will help to rid you of constant stress and worry over things that you cannot control. Do what you want! How long it has been since you last did something that you really liked, something that you enjoyed doing as a child? How long has it been since you went out for ice cream with a friend? These simple things have the power to build your self-confidence and add fulfillment to your life. Life can be very quite simple. It is easy to get caught u in the rat race of today's world, and lose yourself in the process. It is easy to forget your purpose, what you like and what you enjoy doing. It happens to people all of the time. It is your responsibility to yourself that you get back to those simple things in life.
	Find a group of friends You've heard the saying, "birds of a feather flock together". It is important to find people with whom you enjoy spending time and doing things. You will find that life is a little bit easier when you are among the people who share your interests and your feelings. There is an understanding between you, as well as an open dialogue. Good conversation and friendship are healthy and important for our minds and souls. Forgive Others Forgiveness is the best Quality in a man with strong heart. Revenge to any bad thing can be done by any man, but forgiveness is something which can be seen in bold hearted people. Try to forgive others and remember them in your prays. Love everyone and do good to others. As we all knoe we have a life span of average 70 - 75 yrs , it is like a an atome when compared to the long history of Earth. So why should we spend our life with enimity...Love you life, enjoy it and always say thanks to Lord for giveing sucha beautiful life.
Walk with God Love God, Love Others, Forgive everyone and Do good to every one in your life. Pray to God, spend some time with him and always be thankful to Lord. Dont let the negatives than happens in your life to spoil your courage and love toward your life. See all events in your life as a new start and always remeber God has a good plan for you. Let him drive your life. Set goals and just do it! Take one step at a time. Those single steps will develop into a giant gait over time. Do not overwhelm yourself, but simply do the task at hand. But set achievable goals and go for them! Don't focus on the big picture, concentrate on the small steps. This is the only way to accomplish anything, and to avoid procrastination and depression. Even the smallest achievement will give you a sense of accomplishment that will boost your self-confidence.

hidden costs involved while buying a home

Typical hidden costs involved while buying a home. Stamp duty: Stamp duty is the tax that is paid on the documents. Traditionally, you need to affix a physical stamp, a tax stamp on every document to make it valid. It gives you the legal right to the property you are buying. As the price of the property goes up, so does the stamp duty. As Mumbai has one of the highest realty prices in the country, the stamp duty here is the highest than in any other part of India. Maintenance: When you buy a flat, you will be using facilities provided by your building like lift, car park and gym. Your building may also provide you with security, intercom system etc. You will need bear your share of the total costs involved and will be billed to you as maintenance and you end up paying them.
	Electricity and water charges: You must bear these charges as you definitely will need water and electricity once you move to your new home. Home insurance: Very few people will be able to buy their own home by paying full price of the home in cash upfront. Most of them will end up taking a loan to pay for the price of the home. But when taking a loan, the lender will make it mandatory for you to take a home insurance to protect their money in case if your home is damaged due to any unforeseen events.
Cost of furnishing the home: Some builders offer fully furnished flat and will include the cost for the same in the price of the home. If it is not furnished, you will have to bear the cost of furnishings and fittings. Property tax: This tax is charged by your local municipal body on the property that you have purchased. This tax goes towards maintenance of the civic services in your city. Dealing with these hidden expenses: While certain expenses like property tax and stamp duty cannot be reduced as they are fixed by the government, other expenses can be curtailed to some extent. To reduce maintenance costs, buy a resale home instead of a new home, as flats in old buildings have lower maintenance charges than those in the new buildings. Search for home insurance policy offering the lowest premium rate. You can opt for an unfurnished home and then get it furnished as per your budget and taste. It will let you bargain for the rates and will let you get the best possible deal. Buying a home is quite an expensive process. It includes the various costs mentioned above like stamp duty, property tax, maintenance, electricity and water expenses, furnishing expenses etc. It is important you take into account all these costs before buying your home as it can make a significant increase in the final price of home. If you are unaware of any costs, or need help, talk to a reputed broker for advice. By BankBazaar.com - an online marketplace for your personal loan and home loan needs.

Impact of job change - short story

A taxi passenger tapped the driver on the shoulder to ask him a question. The driver screamed, lost control of the car, nearly hit a bus, went up on the footpath, and stopped centimetres from a shop window. For a second everything went quiet in the cab, then the driver said: "Look mate, don't ever do that again. You scared the daylights out of me!". The passenger apologized and said, "I didn't realize that a little tap would scare you so much." The driver replied, "Sorry, it's not really your fault. Today is my first day as a cab driver - I've been driving a van carrying dead Bodies for the last 25 years.......u can imagine what went into my mind when u touched my back!! :)

Beautiful letter written by a father to his kid

A Beautiful letter written by a father to his son. This applies to daughters too. Following is a letter to his son from a renowned Hong Kong TV broadcaster cum Child Psychologist. The words are actually applicable to all of us, young or old, children or parents.
I am writing this to you because of 3 reasons 1. Life, fortune and mishaps are unpredictable; nobody knows how long he lives. Some words are better said early. 2. I am your father, and if I don't tell you these, no one else will. 3. What are written is my own personal bitter experiences that perhaps could save you a lot of unnecessary heartaches. Remember the following as you go through life 1. Do not bear grudge towards those who are not good to you. No one has the responsibility of treating you well, except your mother and me. To those who are good to you, you have to treasure it and be thankful, and ALSO you have to be cautious, because, everyone has a motive for every move. When a person is good to you, it does not mean he really likes you. You have to be careful; don't hastily regard him as a real friend. 2. No one is indispensable, nothing in the world that you must possess. Once you understand this idea, it would be easier for you to go through life when people around you don't want you anymore, or when you lose what/whom you love most. 3. Life is short. When you waste your life today, tomorrow you would find that life is leaving you. The earlier you treasure your life, the better you enjoy life. 4. Love is but a transient feeling, and this feeling would fade with time and with one's mood. If your so called loved one leaves you, be patient, time will wash away your aches and sadness. Don't over exaggerate the beauty and sweetness of love, and don't over exaggerate the sadness of falling out of love. 5. A lot of successful people did not receive a good education, that does not mean that you can be successful by not studying hard! Whatever knowledge you gain is your weapon in life. One can go from rags to riches, but one has to start from some rags! 6. I do not expect you to financially support me when I am old, neither would I financially support you, your whole life. My responsibility as a supporter ends when you are grown up. After that, you decide whether you want to travel in a public transport or in your limousine, whether rich or poor. 7. You honour your words, but don't expect others to be so. You can be good to people, but don't expect people to be good to you. If you don't understand this, you would end up with unnecessary troubles. 8. I have bought lotteries for umpteen years, but I never strike any prize. That shows if you want to be rich, you have to work hard! There is no free lunch! 9. No matter how much time I have with you, let's treasure the time we have together. We do not know if we would meet again in our next life. Your Dad 10. You hv to learn more, which yr dad missed and now regret, and yr grandpa regrettted more on me, though he was full fledged prominent figure

Forgiving Yourself and Others - Stress Management

At some point in our lives, all of us have been wronged by another person and felt hurt, angry or resentful. This is a natural reaction and part of being human. However, if we do not resolve or come to terms with these hurts, they drive our actions and create a negative way of life. By harboring past hurts, we have the potential to do far more harm to ourselves than anyone else can possibly do. "All illness is caused by not forgiving." – Native American belief Forgiving others – or yourself – does not mean forgetting or condoning what happened, or giving up the values that were violated or assuming you are at fault; nor is it condemning the other person or seeking justice or compensation. Forgiveness can be viewed as foregoing the resentment or revenge when the wrongdoer's action deserves it and giving the gifts of mercy, generosity and love when the wrongdoer does not seem to deserve them. To release the shackles of the past, we must be willing to forgive.
	Forgiveness is about creating a state "for giving" – both to self and others – and excusing a mistake or an offense and letting go of the associated hurt, anger or resentment. Because forgiveness has the greatest benefit to the person doing the forgiving, it is one of the greatest gifts that you can give to yourself. Forgiving allows us to get on with our lives and to open up our minds and hearts to new ways of seeing others, the world and ourselves. It releases energy that can be used for other, more productive thoughts and actions.

South Korea - A perfect travel Destination

South Korea is one of the smaller nations in Asia. What it lacks in size it makes up for in abundant culture, turbulent history, exquisite cuisine and a generous and welcoming society. South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK) and sometimes referred to simply as Korea, is a country in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, and North Korea to the north. Its capital is Seoul. South Korea lies in a temperate climate region with a predominantly mountainous terrain. Its territory covers a total area of 99,392 square kilometers and has a population of 50 million. South Korea is a presidential republic consisting of sixteen administrative divisions and is a developed country with a very high standard of living. It is Asia's fourth largest economy and the world's 15th (nominal) or 12th (purchasing power parity) largest economy. The economy is export-driven, with production focusing on electronics, automobiles, ships, machinery, petrochemicals and robotics. South Korea is a member of the United Nations, WTO, OECD and G-20 major economies. It is also a founding member of APEC and the East Asia Summit.
	A Little Background before You Travel to Korea South Korea can be divided into four general regions: an eastern region of high mountain ranges and narrow coastal plains; a western region of broad coastal plains, river basins, and rolling hills; a southwestern region of mountains and valleys; and a southeastern region dominated by the broad basin of the Nakdong River. About three thousand islands, mostly small and uninhabited, lie off the western and southern coasts of South Korea. Jeju-do is located about 100 kilometers (about 60 mi) off the southern coast of South Korea. It is the country's largest island, with an area of 1,845 square kilometres (712 sq mi). Jeju is also the site of South Korea's highest point: Hallasan, an extinct volcano, reaches 1,950 meters (6,398 ft) above sea level. South Korea has 20 national parks and popular nature places like the Boseong Tea Fields, Suncheon Bay Ecological Park, and the first national park of Jirisan. South Korea tends to have a humid continental climate and a humid subtropical climate, and is affected by the East Asian monsoon, with precipitation heavier in summer during a short rainy season called jangma. Winters can be extremely cold with the minimum temperature dropping to −20 °C in the inland region of the country
The Korean peninsula has been literally and figuratively stuck between a rock and a hard place, namely Japan and China, for most of its existence. The region was prosperous under the three kingdoms of Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla during the first four centuries AD until the Mongolians raided the land and built an empire. The 16th century brought the end of the Mongolian Empire and the beginning of a massive game of tug-of-war between China and Japan over the strategic landmass. After World War II Korea finally broke free from Japan, with the USSR managing the North and the United States occupying the South. Today the North and South are two sovereign nations separated by a demilitarized zone. South Korea is officially known as the Republic of Korea (ROK) and commonly referred to simply as Korea. South Korea occupies the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula, which extends some 680 miles (1,100 km) from the Asian mainland. This mountainous peninsula is flanked by the Yellow Sea to the west, and Sea of Japan (East Sea) to the east. Its southern tip lies on the Korea Strait and the East China Sea. The country's total area is 38,622.57 square miles (100,032.00 km2). Soul of Seoul Despite the fact that Seoul was largely burned to the ground during the Korean War (1950-53), the northern part of the capital city is still home to hundreds of spectacular palaces and shrines. The Chosun Dynasty's Gyeongbokgung Palace is a 5.4 million square foot landmark with a 500-year history and stands among the remaining four palaces in Seoul. Nearly an entire day is necessary to explore the regal palace in all its magnificence. The Jongmyo Royal Shrine is a perfect next stop, as it was where the Chosun Dynasty worshipped. On the first Sunday of May each year a traditional memorial ceremony is held at the Shrine with all the grandeur of the occasion 500 years past. The southern part of Seoul is the commercial center of the city and boasts a fascinating blend of traditional and hyper-modern architecture. It is also home to World Cup Stadium, intricately weaving shopping streets and even an amusement park, Lotte World. Make sure to visit the city gates, and then venture beyond into the strikingly lush and green landscape to travel Korea more personally. When to Travel to Korea Korea has a temperate clime, which results in heavier rain in the summer months (July and August) and a drier winter. Winter is white and snowy all over Korea and the ski season from November to March is extremely popular. There are 13 ski resorts in South Korea alone! After a day on the slopes it is common to relax in one of the many spas with natural hot spring baths. Summer is extremely crowded and very wet in Korea. For milder weather it is best to travel Korea in the spring or fall. For more Info http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2800.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Korea http://www.korea.net/ http://www.lonelyplanet.com/south-korea Traveling to South Korea any time of year is sure to be an exciting and rewarding experience, regardless of the weather! HAPPY AND SAFE TRAVELS!!!

Tips for buying a Digital Camera

Digital photography keeps getting better. Higher-resolution images, sophisticated but easy-to-use controls, and more. We use cameras to take pictures of a variety of things. These can be special events in our lives or fantastic sights that we want to see time and time again. To take these pictures we can use a variety of cameras. These can be of the normal cameras where you wait for the picture to develop or they can be digital cameras. As you know internet is the largest source of information you can search for the details and specification of a Digital camera and also compare the features of different brands of cams. In order to choose the right camera--one with the right set of features at the right price--you'll need to figure out what you'll be doing with it. Buy a camera that matches your needs and one that will last a little while, but don't jump to the high-end prosumer or professional levels unless you truly need a many features and have plenty of practice photographing. A lot of power will go to waste and you'll spend money for features you don't need.
	Megapixels are not everything when it comes to buying a digital camera. A greater number of megapixels won't always mean better photos. If a 5 megapixel digital camera has a superior lens to one with 8 megapixels, that 5-megapixel digital camera may create sharper, clearer pictures. When comparing digital cameras, determine the memory type used by each digital camera, such as CompactFlash, Memory Stick, Secure Digital, Smartmedia, and others. If at all possible, try not to get locked into one of the lesser-used or proprietary types, and buy a camera supporting CompactFlash or Secure Digital. Do not always go for the absolute lowest price, especially if it's from a dealer you've never heard of or bought from before. If one price is much lower (by several hundred dollars) than the others, there *may* be a reason. Be sure to factor accessories into your digital camera budget.
To purchase a good quality digital camera these days it helps to look at a digital camera buyers guide. You can check internet to go through thousands of buyers guide emagazines. There are many different types of digital camera buyers guide magazines that you can buy. While they will look different in styles and format they are all designed to help you select the best digital camera for you. These digital camera buyers guides should not be that expensive and sometimes you can get one for free with a photography magazine. When you look at a digital camera buyers guide cover you will be able to see the various products that will be reviewed and if they can be of any use to you in your photographic pursuits. You will be able to see buying information about digital cameras, compact cameras, camera printers, lenses and some of the accessories that are needed for photography. You will also see the types of digital cameras that are currently "hot". You can also find tips for buying these cameras as parts of kits in the digital camera buyers guide. The contents of the digital camera buyers guide will show you the main articles and product features that you can expect to read about when you purchase this magazine. Sometimes you will get valuable buying information about the latest digital cameras and the best types of camera lens. These articles will cover in-depth the various features and performance abilities of the different devices. You will be able to see which digital and compact cameras are considered to be good value for your money and what you can expect to see from these products. With a digital camera buyers guide you will be informed about the price of the different compact cameras, digital cameras, lenses and even the newest camera printers. Besides looking at the buying advantages and prices of these products a digital camera buyers guide will also let you know what are the high end digital cameras and what can be considered as bargains. These are just a few of the products and services that you can find when you look at a digital camera buyers guide. These magazines are jam-packed with lots of information that is essential for the person who wants to buy a quality digital camera and needs good advice, and these guides can be considered invaluable. Resource: cnet

Dr A P J Abdul Kalams Message - Possitive thinking favours growth of the nation

Dr APJ Abdul Kalam (Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam), the 11th President of India, serving from 2002 to 2007, is a notable scientist & engineer. He assumed office on July 25, 2002. He was born on 15th October 1931 at Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu. During his term as President, he was popularly known as the People's President. Before his term as India's president, he worked as an aeronautical engineer with DRDO and ISRO. He is popularly known as the Missile Man of India for his work on development of ballistic missile and space rocket technology. In India he is highly respected as a scientist and as an engineer.
Dr Abdul Kalams letter to every Indian.. BE PROUD TO BE AN INDIAN Click on the below images to read the Message.

Kerala - Gods Own Country! Kerala is a popular tourist destination famous for its backwaters, Ayurvedic treatments and tropical greenery. Kerala has a higher Human Development Index than all other states in India.It is located on the south-western region of the country.
Kerala voted Asia's best travel destination Kerala, Asia's best travel destination Kerala Tourism got a boost when the million-plus readers of the acclaimed travel portal, SmartTravelAsia.com, placed the state as the best Asian holiday destination ahead of Bali, Phuket and the Maldives in a poll conducted over 3 months across Asia (India, Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, and the Middle East), Europe and North America. The only other Indian destinations to be listed in the top 10 were Rajasthan and Goa - at eighth and 10th spot respectively. Wake up to the world's best breakfast Kerala's spread of morning dishes - vellayappam, Uppuma, iddli, puttu, masala dosa and appams have been rated the best breakfast in the world by Travel & Leisure magazine. A must-try is the crisp lacy appam served with meat/vegetable stew. Walk-through paddy fields Here's a completely different walking experience. Venture in to the very heart of the paddy fields, on narrow dykes. Don't lose yourself in the dazzling green around you, as you'll have to watch out for the slushy water passages that run through your mud path.   Take a swig of toddy   Ask your tour guide to arrange for fresh madhura kallu (sweet toddy extracted from the coconut palm) and have it the Kerala way with exotic karimeen pollichathu (baked fresh water fish) or spicy pickles. Stay on an exotic houseboat Embark on an enchanting journey across sun-kissed backwaters on a kettuvallom (fully furnished traditional rice boat). While your eyes explore the rustic life that floats by, treat yourself to backwater delicacies prepared by your personal chef. Ride a Canoe Larger image Drift along serene waterways in a country craft, enjoy the breeze, answer a cuckoo's call, wave back at the cheerful village folk on the banks. Invite some of their chirpy children to hop in for a ride. They'll keep you well entertained. Lunch from the fisherman's net Along the Malabar Coast and at Vasco da Gama Square in Fort Kochi, you can select your favourite from an inviting display of juicy sear fish, sardines, prawns, and red snappers. Ask the friendly fisherman to fry it for you the local way. Wear a Kerala saree Stun your friends in Kerala saree - five metres of fine off-white cotton edged with gold - that lends an extraordinary elegance to the person wearing it. Each piece is specially woven on a traditional handloom. Spice up your life Giri's Group Kerala is the Spice Coast of India. Take home a chest full of exotic spices and win compliments for your aromatic cooking. These are also available in special gift pouches. Ride an 8-tonner-without-wheels Giri's Group - www.girishkumar.tk  At the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Thekkady, venture majestically into the scenic jungle on an elephant. A mahout will guide you on your enchanting journey. Follow the tiger's trail Giri's Group - www.girishkumar.tk   Join the Thekkady tiger trail - a real adventure trek into the dense forest with expert guides. Cook in the jungle. Sleep in tents. Wake up to the sounds of the wilderness. And yes, don't forget to spot a tiger. Design a floral pattern Giri's Group - www.girishkumar.tk During Onam, the harvest festival in August-September, you can see colourful, beautiful floral decorations (pookalam) in the courtyards of Kerala's homes. Try making one with family and friends. Cheer a snake boat race Giri's Group - www.girishkumar.tk Watch the backwaters of Kerala come alive. Feel the excitement bubble in you as teams of 100 oarsmen row their snake boats, their bodies swaying in unison to the fast rhythm of full throated singing, in one of the most exhilarating water sports. Get an Ayurvedic massage Giri's Group - www.girishkumar.tk Gift yourself new life: Surrender to the magical fingers of specially trained masseurs, to medicated baths that will refresh you, herbal diets that will replenish you, yoga that will revitalize you, and meditation that will recharge you. Go bananas Giri's Group - www.girishkumar.tk In Kerala, red, green and yellow are synonymous with various types of plantains. These digestives come in different shapes too -- tall, short, stout, and sleek. And while you taste banana chips, raw banana dishes, banana milkshakes, banana icecreams, dried bananas, and fried bananas, you'll wonder if there's any other fruit more versatile. Listen to temple music Panchavadyam is an orchestra of 5 native instruments - suddha-maddalam, kombu, edakka, elathalam and timila. This traditional temple music accompanying elephant pageants builds up the festive spirit. And never fails to leave its listeners entranced. Marvel at elephant pageants The spectacle of 30-60 caparisoned elephants will enthrall you as they move in a majestic procession, while trumpets and drum beats work up to a frenzy. The best of these spectacles is seen at the Thrissur Pooram. Bathe in healing waters Don't miss your chance to take a dip in the waters of the Nelliyampathy forests in Palakkad or the mineral springs at Varkala. These waters are known for their medicinal properties. Take a splash, heal yourself. Take a train through paradise A train journey is an interesting way to experience Kerala. Get a window seat and watch the landscape unfold like pages of a colourful picture book, or acquaint yourself with your fellow travellers who make interesting profiles. Picnic beside virgin lakes Pack a picnic basket and spend a romantic evening beside the crystal clear lakes near Munnar. Try your luck at fishing and feast on your fresh catch. Go for a long walk hand-in-hand, undisturbed. Lie down on the most comfortable of grass beds. Wash your sins away According to a myth, sage Narada was approached by mendicants who confessed to having sinned. The place he created for them to pray for redemption is known as the Papanasam beach (papanasam meaning redemption from sins). Take a dip and come out feeling clean in your heart too. See wildlife from a boat Watch wildlife at close quarters from the safety of a boat at the sanctuaries of Kumarakom, and Periyar. Herds of wild elephants bathing in the lake, the Indian bison digging his horns into an unaffected tree, the cormorant darting into the waters - a treat for an amateur photographer. Meet martial art experts Kalaripayattu, the martial art form of Kerala, is the oldest and most scientific in the world. Watch agile bodies gleaming in oil and armed with weapons practise their feats-chattam (jumping), ottam (running), marichil (somersault)-to stunning perfection. Behold the Queen of the Arabian Sea Kochi, also known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, is breathtakingly beautiful. Apart from being the commercial capital and the most cosmopolitan city of Kerala, Kochi also flaunts one of the finest natural harbours of the world. Discover prehistoric settlements The Edakkal caves at Wayanad and the caves at the mouth of the Shenduruny River have interesting pictorial writings and cave drawings from the Stone Age. You'll have to trek at least a kilometer uphill to reach the Edakkal caves. Let a mohini enchant you Mohiniyattam or the dance of the enchantress reflects the graceful nature of the land. The sensuous, graceful movements of the dancer, clad in gold and off white costumes, will remind you of palms swaying in the gentle breeze and sweeping waves. Tags: Ente Naadu

Travel Tips for international cruise

Tips for traveling internationally on a cruise When traveling internationally on a cruise it might be a good idea to invest in travel insurance. Not only does travel insurance protect you from any unexpected cancellations, which can be important since cruises abroad can be more costly than domestic rates, but travel insurance can come in handy in other ways as well. Taking a cruise to a foreign country can be a new and exciting experience if you have never traveled abroad. There are plenty of new sights to see and things to try, but there are also dangers that naïve travelers must be aware of. Before leaving check into your medical insurance plan to find out if you are covered in foreign countries. Some insurance plans do not cover medical expenses in foreign countries and in some cases insurance plans are not accepted by foreign hospitals. In case of medical emergency while you are away, travel insurance policies can be purchased to cover any unforeseen medical costs that may occur while you are traveling. When traveling internationally there are a number of things to take into consideration that will make your vacation even more enjoyable. Make sure you get to the boat early. In today's world, there are a number of security precautions and safety measures that are taken before you are allowed to board any mode of public transportation. This means that you will need plenty of time to check your bags and get through security before your boat leaves. If you end up having a little extra time before you board your cruise, most shipping docks have areas where travelers can wait for their cruises to leave. It is better to have a little extra time than to miss your boat. Also, be sure to have your boarding pass and passport handy so you can get them checked quickly and easily rather than having to search through your bags for them.
	It is a smart idea to make copies of all important documents before your trip. You should make photocopies of your passport, credit cards, medical prescriptions, and your medical insurance information. Photocopying your credit cards will allow you to have images of them if they happen to be lost or stolen during your trip. You will have the numbers, expiration dates and the phone number to call if you do misplace them. By copying medical prescriptions you are able to have the information for any medications you might need during your trip. Medication bottles are small and can easily be misplaced. It is important to always have your medical insurance information with you in case of any medical emergencies. Of course, as previously mentioned, you should make sure that your medical insurance fully covers any medical expenses in other countries before departing on your trip. If it does not cover you, travel insurance might be a smart choice for you.
If you are traveling abroad for the first time, beware of scams that many international travelers unfortunately fall prey to. There are a number of smalltime thieves that lurk in areas where cruise ships dock, waiting to make unsuspecting passengers their next victims. Make sure to keep your bags in sight at all times, to avoid getting anything stolen. Also, be sure to only keep items you will really need in your wallet during your trip. Try not to carry a lot of unnecessary items with you. It is also a good idea to lock all baggage that you bring with you Make sure you know the currency conversions between American dollars and the currency of the country you are visiting. Make sure you are visiting places that will accept your credit cards or make certain that you have enough local currency on you for any expenses. You will also want to look into places to exchange your currency. Different places offer different rates of conversion. Banks are typically the best bet, as they usually offer the best rates. However, it is smart to look into this and do some research before your trip. Another option is traveler's checks, which can be purchased from your local bank prior to your trip, and can be used anywhere. The most important tip for people planning to travel abroad is to have fun and enjoy the trip. For most people it is not everyday that they get to visit a foreign country, so try your best to take in as many sights as possible and don't forget your camera.

Tuscany Italy - A beautiful destination

Tuscany Tuscany has long been a favourite destination for anyone looking for an authentic Italian experience. From the Etruscans to the Romans to the Renaissance, Tuscany is possibly the greatest repository of art in the world, from extraordinary paintings and sculpture to frescoes and architectural masterpieces. Visitors to Tuscany come for many reasons. Many come in search of fine art, others to explore the extraordinary countryside. Gourmets and wine buffs descend on Tuscany to enjoy the simple yet wonderful cuisine and wine. Walkers enjoy the mountain paths, cyclists the rolling hills, summer vacationers the sea coast and islands. Students come to learn the beautiful Italian language and culture. Where is it? Tuscany is a region in Central Italy. It has an area of 22,990 square kilometres (8,880 sq mi) and a population of about 3.7 million inhabitants. The regional capital is Florence.Tuscany is a large area in central Italy that stretches to the Mediterranean coast. It is divided into ten provinces, which include some of Italy's most beautiful towns and cities; Florence, Siena and Pisa.
	Where can I stay? Many people choose to stay in villas when they visit Tuscany, preferring the independence of self-catering to the routine of a hotel. The next time you consider visiting Tuscany, take a look at the benefits of a boutique hotel. Giving you the comfort and service of a regular hotel, but with a home-from-home atmosphere and service that anticipates your every need, you can come and go as you please without having to worry about making beds or shopping for food. In fact, when you stay at a boutique hotel, all you have to think about is where your next luxury is coming from.
Try the JK Palace in Florence for a taste of city boutique. With only 20 rooms, it's like having your own home in the Piazza Santa Maria Novella and it's the perfect place to return to after a hard day sightseeing. "Boutique" doesn't always mean tiny - for a hotel that's a magnificent rural retreat, the Villa Mangiacane is set in 300 hectares of olive groves, vineyard and forest and the view from the pool means that you'll be hard-pressed to leave the villa at all. What can I see? Tuscany is known for its beautiful landscapes, its rich artistic legacy and vast influence on high culture. Tuscany is widely regarded as the true birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, and has been home to some of the most influential people in the history of arts and science, such as Petrarch, Dante, Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Galileo Galilei, Amerigo Vespucci and Puccini. Due to this, the region has several museums (such as the Uffizi, the Pitti Palace and the Chianciano Museum of Art). Tuscany has a unique culinary tradition, and is famous for its wines (most famous of which are Chianti, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Morellino di Scansano and Brunello di Montalcino). There is a lot to see and do in Tuscany, the difficulty is really where to start. Certainly most should start with Florence, then continue on to Siena and Pisa. The roll call of città di arte, cities of art, is daunting: Arezzo, Cortona, San Gimignano and Lucca are all striking. The more you come to know the region, the more extraordinary Tuscany appears. Take a tour to the vineyards and sample classic Tuscan wines such as Chianti and Montepulciano, or visit olive groves and buy pressed olive oil to take home. Tuscany, its towns and cities are full of beautiful Renaissance architecture and the art here rivals that of Venice and Rome. If you're not staying in Florence, then you should certainly take the time to visit the city during your stay. A busy, chic city, full of amazing architecture, priceless art, great shopping and fantastic dining, Florence is captivating and many visitors return here for short breaks or special events. Tuscany is full of contrasts and you could holiday here for several years in a row without visiting the same place twice. Roughly triangular in shape and situated between the northern part of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the central Apennines, Tuscany has an area of approximately 22,993 square kilometers (8,877.6 sq mi). Surrounded and crossed by major mountain chains, and with few (but very fertile) plains, the region has a relief that is dominated by hilly country. How do I get around? How you choose to travel in Tuscany largely depends on where you're staying. If you've chosen a city location, then it will be easier for you to use public transport or just walk to get around, as hiring a car may be expensive and the roads too busy for stress-free driving. On the other hand, if you've chosen a boutique hotel in a rural location, you should think about hiring a car so that you can travel round the countryside or take a day-trip to one of the cities. The Italian public transport system is well-used by locals, and you can travel between cities and towns on the train or on buses, which give you the opportunity to gaze at the glorious ountryside. So Enjoy Tuscany!!!