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Every time I write of Tahiti I find myself using the cliche – Tahiti, Mon Amour. But Tahiti is my love. A place that I have returned to more times that I can count. A place to which I shall return again and again. We had landed at Faaa airport in Tahiti at two o’clock in the morning. The air was warm and heavy with the scents of tropical flowers and fruits. Vahines in pareus had put garlands around our necks. The bus was taking us from the airport to the main town of Papeete. There was a full moon. On our right was the dark bulk of Tahiti. On our left, the sea – a silver tray in the moonlight. In the centre of the sea, the black high mass that is the island of Moorea. Along the harbour walls were moored the island traders and the yachts. Ahead were the flickering lights of Papeete. The Australian lady behind me tapped me on the shoulder and said: ‘Excuse me, if this was the Parramatta Road, would this be about Homebush?’ Thankfully most travellers to Tahiti have a little more romance in their soul. I am at one with Maurice Baring who wrote: ‘Tahiti is the whole thing; the real thing; the thing that one has dreamt about all one’s life; the thing that made Stevenson leave Europe for ever. All tellers of fairy tales, and all poets from Homer downwards, have always imagined the existence of certain ‘Fortunate’ islands which were so full of magic and charm that they turned man from his duty and all tasks … and held him a willing captive.’ Tahiti is, indeed, the Fortunate island. It is so damn beautiful it hurts your eyes. True, Tahiti has changed, is changing. No longer is Quinn’s on the waterfront the bar for ramping, stamping, tearing, swearing sailors, French legionnaires and misfits. (Was it not there that a legionnaire, taken with le cafard, smacked a wine bottle against the side of my head because, as he later explained, I reminded him of someone he disliked? It was). And LaFayette, the most notorious night spot of the Pacific, no longer runs from late night to dusk with a non-stop demonstration of the hip-snapping tamure – a dance which is, indeed, a vertical expression of a horizontal desire – or features fights on the hour, every hour. Yes, some of the sweet simplicity of the islands and the vahines is now missing, but this is still Tahiti. The island of Gauguin, of Nordhoff and Hall, of Melville and Somerset Maugham, of Pierre Loti and of, yes, Marlon Brando. A Fortunate isle which is the most romantic spot on earth. No longer can you clamber on a slow steamer and work your way to Tahiti through a pattern of islands. Instead, fly direct to Papeete, the capital of French Polynesia. The cheapest way to visit Tahiti is by package tour. You need a visa. Please note that there is no tipping in Tahiti. Tipping is considered offensive by Tahitian standards and customs and you will look an illiterate boor if you insist. Do not tip. Bring certain essentials with you for in Tahiti, where everything is imported over a long distance, they can be expensive. The essentials are sunblock – and a lot of it, insect repellent and at least three swimming costumes and a pair of reef sandals so that you do not cut your feet on dead coral. You need bring no formal clothes and, indeed, hardly any clothes at all. This is not a formal dressing up sort of place. The weather is never less than perfect. The scenery never less than stunning. There are, in theory, two seasons. From April to November it is said to be cooler and drier and from November to March warmer and wetter. I have never noticed this. In the past I always stayed on the island of Moorea opposite at the Bali Hai simply because of the insanity of the then owners Muk, Jay and Kelly. On the lawn of that splendid hotel I played frisbee with Art Buchwald and James Michener and lost. And then sat with a bucket of banana daiquiris and listened to Shel Silverstein sing mad, bad songs and then danced the tamure through the night. I was younger then. The Bali Hai Hotel is still there as both a time share establishment and a hotel. Kelly has gone but the place is now run by Rose, a most splendid person,with Muk and Jay around there somewhere. If you stay at the Bali Hai try and get an over-the-water bungalow, well worth the extra money. The hotel used to have an advertisement – If you are coming to Tahiti and are not booked into the Bali Hai someone has made a terrible mistake. One of the few advertising campaigns with which I ever agreed. The Hotel Hyatt Regency Tahara’a probably is the most upmarket hotel and is visually stunning; built on a cliff face. A bus takes you down to the beach for water sports. I also have stayed at what was The BeachComber and is now the InterContinental Resort Tahiti and has amazing views of Moora. The Puunui hotel is on Tahiti Iti, the small extension at the end of the island which tourists rarely visit. It has spectacular views and is near the golf course. Purely in theory to get around there is le truck which is unscheduled, disorganised, impossible to predict but great fun. Most visitors never venture although it is an amazing experience for this is the basic form of transportation on Tahiti and may very well get you to where you are going, eventually. These open-sided trucks start from the market in Papeete. Taxis are ruinously expensive and should be avoided. Around midnight the prices double. Most hotels provided regular bus shuttles. Hire cars are widely available and are good value. The French influence in Tahiti is all pervasive. The serious restaurants range from good to very good. Your only problem may be getting a table, especially on Sunday lunchtime when tout Tahiti goes out to eat. Wine is a silly price and can range from rotgut to sublime. Restaurants where I have eaten and which I can recommend are L’Auberge du Pacifique, Le Rubis, and Les Trois Brasseurs. The local French population is serious about food and standards generally are high and the prices match this. At some stage try a Tahitian tamaara’a feast but it is not a gourmet experience. Do not eat at your hotel. It is too damn expensive. Wander into town when you want breakfast. It will be half the price and twice as good. In the evening there is a site on the waterfront – cooked food stalls called les roulottes. Inexpensive, good food, very Tahiti. Not expensive certainly compared to hotel food prices. What else do I do when I am in Tahiti? Hire a car and drive around (the road does not go all the way around the island). Go up into the singing mountains. Visit the Gauguin museum. See how accurately he portrayed the beauty of the place and the people. Visit poor Pierre Loti’s pool. See the only memorial to a member of a royal family – the Pomare dynasty – that incorporates a bottle of Benedictine. Sit at a sidewalk cafe in Papeete and watch the passing parade. In ten minutes you will see a dozen of the most beautiful women in the world. Noel Coward did this and hated it. In this, as in much else, he was wrong. Go out to the lagoonarium – oh, horrid word – at Punaauia and see the fish life of the Pacific. Take the ferry to Moorea – about 45 minutes on the Moorea ferry. While on Moorea go horse back riding on the Rupe Rupe Ranch or ride underwater in an aqua-submarine and pretend you are a fish. One of the great attractions of Tahiti is the staggering beauty of the islands and the even more staggering beauty of Tahitian women. Because of fiction, because of ‘Mutiny on the Bounty’, because of folklore, because of the unbelievably sexy dance, the tamure, there is a worldwide myth that they are morally loose and available. Nothing, nothing could be further from the truth. Act with respect and decorousness and all will be well. Push your luck and you will be in for a bad time. Tahitian girls are gorgeous, proud, smart and sophisticated and not into falling for holiday making visitors. For certain sure. That still leaves the dancing. In 1820, article 23 of the law of the Leeward Islands was passed. It stated clearly that ‘all lascivious songs, games or entertainments are strictly forbidden’. A law, thanks be to all the gods, eventually totally ignored. The true nightlife of Tahiti, of Papeete, revolves around the tamure, a dance which has no equal. The Tahitians love music, love to dance, love to celebrate. Papeete reflects this. Especially on a Friday night when the town is wild. There is a tradition in Tahiti that you should wear a flower behind your ear. Wear one and go out on the town.

Useful sites

Tahiti Tourism http://www.tahiti-tourisme.com/ Club Bali Hai Moorea http://www.balihaihotels.com/ Tahiti http://www.tahiti.com/ Tahiti Explorer http://www.tahiti-explorer.com/

This article can be cut, localized, edited. Gareth Powell is a travel writer and editor who runs www.travelhopefully.com. He is used to cutting the copy of other authors.

In between climbing pagodas and snapping pictures of golden goddesses, most travelers to Asia take time to visit the shopping districts. The quality and selection of designer clothing and extravagant items found in shops across Asia will not disappoint those with a penchant for luxury goods. From China to India, great buys are available for those who know what to look for.

Mainland China is a fantastic place to find extravagant jewelry at discount prices. Jewelry markets are filled with glittering gems and beautiful jade pieces abound.

Exquisite strands of high quality, lustrous pearls are easy to find in China. When purchasing jewelry in mainland China, feel free to bargain. It’s the way business is done in China, and most owners of small shops expect it.

There have been cases of shopkeepers taking advantage of tourists, and the best defense is knowledge. If buying pearls, test them against your teeth for roughness. You might want to test both a real pearl and faux pearl in advance to make sure you can recognize the difference. For gems, consider purchasing a jeweler’s loupe and learning to use it. Be especially careful when buying jade, since it can be difficult to tell true jade from false.

Silk is also a good buy in China. Stores that sell lengths of fabric and silk garments are abundant, and some shops will make a shirt or dress from the silk fabric of your choosing.

Because there is no sales tax in Hong Kong and imported goods are not taxed, designer clothing can be purchased there for excellent prices. Bargains can be found on cameras and electronics, but make sure you know the going prices for these items so you’ll be able to spot a good deal. Hong Kong is also an excellent place to buy watches and jewelry.

Thailand is another great source for jewelry. Unfortunately, dishonest jewelry dealers are plentiful. Never follow any “helpful” individual who offers to lead you to a jewelry store with incredible bargains – it’s probably a scam. To avoid being cheated it’s best to deal with a respectable jewelry firm, preferably one that is a member of the Jewel Fest Club. The Tourism Authority of Thailand founded this reputable organization, and member stores are listed in a booklet and display the Jewel Fest Club logo.

In India you can find many items made from the amazing textiles created in the country. Clothing, tablecloths, towels and other household goods are good buys here.

Jewelry is also a good buy in India, but again, beware of fakes and frauds.

About the author:
John Riggin is Executive Editor for www.SeeYouInAsia.com the largest and most comprehensive US to Asia vacation travel website. Where you’ll discover the best deals on flights, tours, hotels, cruises and more.

Can a day that is supposed to make world go wild with passion, pain a person? That sounds surprising, Isn’t it? How can Valentine’s Day give pain? Yes. It can. And the pain can be many times more than the pleasure anyone can get on this day.

For a lover, who lived for the beloved, who breathed the air thinking of the beloved, who did everything in life thinking of the beloved and who shared all with the beloved, this day is nothing but a very sharp and unbearable pain if the beloved is lost. Imagine the pain of the parents on the birthday of their lost child. The same day, that used to give them only pleasure, gives nothing but so much pain that they cannot bear that. They will cry till no tear is left. Pain is bad. Pain is very bad.

Real pain that one gets for a lifetime does not heal over a lifetime. Many people say that time is a great healer. Ask one who is dying every minute if this is true? This is not true for those who are drowned in pain forever. Valentine’s Day brings back the memories of the lost love like a flood. Call it a tsunami of pain. The waves engulf everything and take away the will of living forever. Such a lover looks not at the Rose, but surely feels the pricking of thorns. The memories of time that they shared, of the walks together, of fun, of travel, of small escapades and love, everything that made a life worth living makes the same life a hell from which there is no escape.

Life is good for the lucky ones. Those who are gifted pain find life unbearable. The feeling of emptiness of heart cannot ever be explained. One has to live this pain to know about it. The pain is a gift from the beloved who goes away, leaving a body with a beating heart, and fills every beat with a sharp pang of pain. You will find different options of buying and sending gifts to your beloved. You will never be able to buy this gift of pain. For gifting this pain, you will have to first share great time with your beloved, enslave them in your love and then throw them away from your life. After that they will live with this gift of pain forever and much more so on the Valentine’s Day.

CDMohatta writes content for the greetings, ecards in the websites Ecard Universe, and Cupid Ecards.

The ancient streets and breath-taking architecture of Istanbul offer an unusual destination for the discerning traveler wishing to avoid the usual christmas commercialism. It is also a great place to buy Christmas gifts.

Turkeys largest covered market, the Grand Bazaar (Kapali Carsi) in Istanbul, offers excellent shopping and great bargains. The range of beautiful objects available is quite breath-taking, including silky Turkish carpets and kelim’s, colorful and pungent herbs and spices, sparkling crystal, glazed tiles and pottery, copper and brassware, Turkish lamps, everything you can think of made from leather, brightly colored cotton and wool products, an array of Turkish costumes including authentic belly dancing outfits, and many types of handmade musical instruments. If you show any inclination to playing any of the instruments, you will doubtless be dragged into the store and offered an impromptu rendition of some obscure Turkish folk tune. Bear in mind this is not purely a tourist area and plenty of local people shop here too, giving the atmosphere a big dose of warm and friendly authenticity.

The architecture and layout of the Grand Bazaar alone merits attention. Forget your boot sale in a field, or rickety tables in a church hall, this building is quite stunning in itself. This is like no Bazaar you have ever been to before. The interior is literally like Aladdin’s cave. In fact, this is probably where Aladdin got all his stuff! The building is packed with literally hundreds of individual stalls, laid out in a labyrinth of narrow aisles. Wares are gaudy and bright, and strewn or hanging on every available area. Wafts of fresh spices and herbs drift on the air, and eager vendors entreat you to enter their lairs. But beware – brush up on your bargaining skills as they are absolutely essential here. If you are in negotiation with a shop owner, often you will be brought a glass of hot sweet tea. This is a pleasing aspect of bargaining in Turkey, but also an indicator of how long bargaining can take.

It is quite exhausting but well worth the effort to see as much as you can of the Grand Bazaar. There are hundreds of shops, so plan on spending several hours. There are plenty of bars and cafes within it’s walls, so you may sit and rest awhile. Instead of the usual American coffee, why not try a chilled Irun? (pronounced eye-run). It is a thin, slightly salty yogurt-y drink, which is very refreshing.

So instead of having turkey for Christmas lunch, why not make Turkey your destination for Christmas vacation this year.

Interested in this subject? Try this link for more of the same

When it comes to hotels, things boil down to a tradeoff between low cost and convenient location. In many cases, especially when traveling to major cities and popular attractions, the closer the hotel to the city or attraction the more you can expect to pay. The best way to save money, particularly in large cities, is often to stay in the suburbs.

Of course, this means that you will spend more time getting to the places you want to visit, and this will mean spending additional money on gasoline, etc. It is important to compute all these costs to make sure that you will really be spending less on a less convenient hotel room.

There are of course a number of ways to save money on hotels and motels without compromising quality. For one thing, a membership in AAA or a similar auto club also entitles you to discounts on hotel rooms, as does military service and senior citizen status. When inquiring about a hotel room, always inquire about discounts that may be available.

In addition, shopping early for a hotel room can often yield the best deals. That is because hotels often reserve a block of low cost rooms, and when they are gone they are gone. Thus, the last room at a hotel may be much more costly than the first. Getting the best hotel room deal is often a matter of timing.

Of course getting a great deal on a hotel will mean nothing if the place is a dump. Shopping for a budget hotel should not mean settling for a hotel that is dirty, poorly run or in an unsafe location.

Fortunately, finding a good budget hotel has been made much easier with the help of the internet. What used to take weeks or even months to research can now be done in a matter of hours or even minutes. Many hotels, even budget properties, feature pictures of the property and the surrounding area, so be sure to research the property you are considering if you have never stayed there before.

It is important to research the area in which the hotel is located as well. Be sure to check out things like restaurants and attractions within walking distance of the hotel. Doing research on the area will help ensure you do not end up staying in a dangerous neighborhood just to save a couple of bucks.

The internet also provides a number of review sites where those who have stayed in various hotels share their experiences and their impressions of the hotel properties. These review sites can be very useful for travelers, particularly those traveling to a new location for the first time.

In addition, the internet hosts a number of comparison web sites where travelers can easily find and compare hotel properties for their individual dates of stay and destinations. These web sites offer a number of ways to search, including distance from a particular tourist attraction, price, star level and more. The only caveat to consider when using such a web site is its independence. Some comparison web sites feature only properties that pay an advertising fee, so using a comparison site does not necessarily guarantee the best price. It is best to use a number of such web sites to get a true picture of the lowest prices available.

For more information about securing cheap or discount hotel rates, visit these sites, Cheap Hotels and Discount Hotels

The medical industry term an enlarged prostate benign prostate hyperplasia, or BPH. In simple terms this actually means the prostate gland, a mass which encloses the urethra and is situated just under the bladder, grows larger this can impair and even stop urinary flow. The prostate grows as the years pass and as a result can create symptoms for example micturition difficulties, a reduced stream, and even the holding of urine within the bladder. Night time frequency and persistent urinary tract infections are further symptoms which may ensue from a swollen prostatic gland.

Benign Prostate Hyperplasia – What Does that Mean? Benign Prostate Hyperplasia is considered one of the most frequent problems of males in their sixties. Recommendations are that males over 50 be examined by their personal doctors annually, irrespective of the presentation of any symptoms, for the upkeep of prostate gland wellness. Look For medical intervention immediately if the urine contains blood or you are unable to pass water.

Therapies for an enlarged prostate may be surgical procedures and medicines. Regrettably, impotence or even inability to control micturition may be observed as a result of a surgical operation. Hypertension therapies and drugs to reduce the abnormal prostate can also be given to improve prostate gland health, but medicines often have unwanted repercussions what alternatives are suggested?

Problems with an Enlarged Prostate? Find Alternative Answers to Improved Prostate Health: To promote better prostate health and also allay any problems connected with an enlarged prostate gland, several alternative treatments will provide ease. African pygeum cuts back inflammation, providing a marked reduction of the more disagreeable symptoms. The treatment African Pygeum has been regularly used for quite a few years in Europe as a therapy to promote improved prostatic health, it is produced by an African evergreen tree. Dietetic changes such as a reduction in fat consumption may improve symptoms, as well as excercising more, the pressure in the prostate may be eased thru ejaculating more regularly, and trying to keep to a minimum periods of extended sitting. Prostate related symptoms can from time to time be made worse by utilizing antihistamines or decongestants purchased over the counter, therefore consume these with caution. Additional hints include to stop taking any liquids within a couple of hours of going to bed in reducing on trips to the bathroom overnight, and reducing alcoholic drinks and coffee and tea intake can decrease the symptoms experienced.

Moreover, there are additional alternative treatments utilized for better prostatic health — such as saw palmetto, Borago officinalis oil capsules, selenium, and lycopene, a chemical extracted from tomatoes. Make sure you check with your healthcare professional prior to commencing any alternative treatment of an enlarged prostate gland.

If you love the outdoors then a Utah vacation is something you should seriously consider. Utah is a beautiful state any time of year, and it’s definitely a state you should keep in mind when you’re planning your next ski vacation. This state is home to a number of deluxe ski resorts, with the majority of these in close proximity to Salt Lake City. You’ll find great skiing at Park City – home to many of the events of the 2002 winter Olympics, as well as Alta, Snowbird, Solitude, Brighton, Sundance, Beaver Mountain, Snow Basin and others. The areas that surround each of these ski resorts are full of things to do and each area offers plenty of comfortable vacation rental accommodations.

Skiers who have experienced Utah’s slopes claim that they’re more challenging than those they’ve skied in Colorado! And because most skiers head over to nearby Colorado, the ski lift lines at Utah’s ski resorts aren’t nearly as long. It’s amazing that more skiers don’t realize this. In addition to mountains that are literally blanketed with white, powdery snow, the skies are almost always filled with bright sunshine. At the end of your Utah vacation, you’ll have a healthy suntan and you’ll have a new favorite ski vacation destination.

It’s hard to get noticed as a tourist destination when the surrounding states of Colorado, Nevada and California get all the attention. But once you realize all that a Utah vacation has to offer it’s where you’ll be planning your next ski vacation. With Salt Lake City airport close to the slopes, getting there is easy. And with plenty of vacation rentals to choose from, including elaborate log cabins that blend into the mountainside and cozy townhouses where you can ski right up to your porch, your Utah vacation is guaranteed to be a memorable experience.

Kent Krueger has been involved in the Travel industry for over 3 years. He has helped advise many people in the travel industry and independent corporations on travel ideas, cost savings and successfully marketing personally owned vacation rentals. Kent is the President of The Rental Network, which owns and operates two websites which have more helpful information to both rental owners and vacationers alike. You can visit them at Vacation Home Rental and http://www.evaca.com.

Southern California is a great place to live.

Within just a short distance, those that live here can see everything from the beautiful coast to the beautiful mountains where the adventures are endless. Snowboarding, boogie boarding, boating, and long mountain hikes are all able to be done by those who call the area home, which is what makes Southern California one of the most desired places to call home.

While houses along the coast of California can be very costly there are some good inexpensive suburban areas throughout Los Angeles county that offer all the amenities of the California lifestyle at a small portion of the price. One such residential area is the Antelope Valley California, which is located just an hour North of the Los Angeles region. The Antelope Valley’s largest cities are Palmdale California and Lancaster California, which together, are home to nearly 450,000 people. The Antelope Valley or “The AV” as residents call it is far less costly than it’s metropolitan neighbor to the south (Los Angeles) with less smog, less traffic congestion and a lower cost of living; while still maintaining a city atmosphere. Because the Antelope Valley is located in the Mojave desert it can get very hot and dry during the summer and temperature’s can be pretty unforeseeable at times. Temperature’s may ascend to 120 degrees Fahrenheit during summer and fall to just under freezing in the winter. Snow falls at the Antelope Valley altitude as well, although it rarely does. The Antelope Valley is a true bedroom community, with many residents commuting into the Los Angeles area each day for work.

If the desert is not for you, there is a lovely California mountain community just North of The AV area named Tehachapi. Located just about 30 minutes outside of Lancaster and 45 minutes North of Palmdale, in Kern county, the Tehachapi community is a rare gem where one can experience all four seasons, none of which are ever extreme. Summers are mild and winters can bring snowfall around 4 times each year on average. Tehachapi was called one of the best cities to retire in California by several magazines and sincerely has a “small-town” tone to it. Tehachapi real estate prices are at all time lows due to the present economic state, as such there are some tremendous steals to be had on both tract and custom houses in Tehachapi. The city is acknowledged for its spread out houses and picturesque views, with various little residential areas within the main city, such as Stallion Springs, Bear Valley Springs and Golden Hills; each offering a particular appeal. From Tehachapi to Hart Flat, the are is laced with oak trees along a skyline of splendid golden hills. If you prefer not to reside in Tehachapi, it’s assuredly a great place to take a pleasant, restful, vacation in Southern California.

Spent a fantastic trip going down the Oregon Coast to Napa and Sonoma Valleys, and back again up the Oregon Coast – awesome! It was like a honeymoon!

We drove from Vancouver, Canada down through Chuckanut Drive, Widbey Island and down to Portland – over to a place called Seaside, Oregon – stayed at a great motel called Ebb Tide right on the beach there – woke up and strolled the beach – awesome 500 feet deep beaches, with virtually nobody on them

Stopped in at the Sea Lion Caves, and the Devil’s Churn – great spot to watch waves catapaulting in the air as they hit huge rocks – the Oregon Coast goes from deep deep beaches to headlands with huge waves crashing, to sand dunes with grass and miles of sand inland – its 400 miles of gorgeous scenery every mile!

Went for oysters at Winchester Bay – they have a triangle in the river mouth where they “make” oysters, and then they are taken to the place where we went, where they come in on a conveyor belt, and the lady shucks them and hands them to you – it couldn’t get any fresher! I liked it so much I went back later on in the trip as well.

My impression of California was 6 lane expressways, so I was surprised to drive a stretch of road that was the windiest, lonliest, craziest that I’ve ever driven – my girlfriend came THIS CLOSE to throwing up! I went for a stretch of over 30 minutes where my hands didn’t stop moving, turning, turning, back the other way, up around a curve, back the other way, etc. Came out on the way to Fort Bragg, Mendocino Coast as it got dark – very happy to stop driving!

The next day we drove into an area called the Anderson Valley – and at a Mexican food place, saw that there was a three winery tasting store next door. We had driven by wineries, but I had never heard of them, so assumed they were small potatoes, and we’re headed for Sonoma/Napa anyways. The lady at the tasting store says “You’re into wines and you’ve just driven through the Anderson Valley? Go back 20 miles and go here, here and here!” On top of the three wineries we sampled at her store, we went back to GoldenEye – which is Duckhorn’s Pinot Noir label (who knew?) and went to Roederer – which makes Cristal Champagne – and also a white wine maker called Navarro – sort of a US Blue Mountain, where they only sell to restaurants, but have won all sorts of awards – ended up with a Chardonnay and a Gewurtztraminer from there – the lady had told us about camping down the road, so we stayed there in awesome 90 degree heat in the midst of the trees. The winding road I mentioned earlier is the one that takes you through all the Redwoods, btw, and we camped in the area where the biggest one of them all is. I have a pic of a stump, that is way higher than my girlfriend, standing up!

Carried on down to Santa Rosa, the beginning of the Sonoma Valley – actually we passed all sorts of Russian River wineries on the freeway, but wanted to get to Sonoma. Went to St. Francis – bought some Pinot Noir, also Kenwood – bought a bottle of Cab – and what sells in Canada for 50-60 bucks is about 15-20 bucks in US – great prices! Also visited Benziger,but didn’t get to do their famous tour – not enough time! Went to B. R. Cohn – got a great pic in front of all the Doobie Brothers gold albums – he manages them too.

Last minute dash up the Napa Valley to try and find Caymus, very disappointed when we couldn’t, and it was 5 o’clock – most wineries are closed by then – on a whim I drove past Freemark Abbey – open till 6!

Got some great glasses, a gun metal grey wine opener and a bit of a steal – they had found 300 cases of a 1988 Sycamore – which is sold there for $115, probably $400 in Canada – they were blowing it out for $20 a bottle – and since we could bring back 2 each – we now have 4 1988 Freemark Abbey Sycamore bottles in our cellar! Fantastic! Now I just have to wait for the occasions to drink them at – but they are soooooo ready to be drunk NOW!!!!! – I was joking that they should best be drunk in the parking lot!

Camped at a place called Berryessa Lake, down another wierd undisturbed road where nobody else was, and at the camp ground, there was us, and another tent – that’s it! We had a lovely night, sipping great wine by the fire at the edge of the lake, with nobody else around! Nutty! This is California???? Home of 25 million people?? LOL The next day it was 101 degrees when we drove through Chico – roasting!

Stopped in to Medford, Oregon, and a fellow said, go into town and taste the beer – found this Very local pub under the freeway, Siskiyou Brew Pub, and sampled their local beer – plus Dead Man Ale – Rogue Beer – got 2 great skull and crossbones beer glasses from there!

Made it back to Seaside, top of the Oregon Coast, and stayed in an oceanfront room – for a dollar more! – looking out on dunes, ocean, pits dug for watching fireworks, and we drank great wines ( had to get rid of everything but the Freemark Abbey bottles!) and watched people light fires, and set off fireworks – beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.

The last day it started raining as we raced home – the only thing we missed doing was we never got to go dune buggy riding in the Oregon dunes – they don’t let you go alone any more – which was the funnest thing last time – but they do groups tours in different sized vehicles, or ATVs, but there was waaaaay too long of a wait – next time!

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Romantic gifts are very popular for anniversary or Valentine’s Day and other special times of the year, but Christmas gives a good excuse for going overboard in treating your lover to something extra sensual.

Proclaim your desire with one of these romantic gift ideas:

Lover’s Romance Basket: Have a basket full of romantic massage oils, champagne, fresh fruit, dipping chocolate and a candle waiting on the bed. Decorate the basket with holiday scented pine branches and include a sexy pair of boxers for him and a babydoll or exotic nighty for her.

Be a Player: There are many games available for lovers to play in the privacy of their bedrooms. These intimate play sets can help enrich and enhance relationships by fostering communication and experimentation – plus they are lot of fun to play. Look for Strip Chocolate Checkers, An Enchanted Evening and Romance Tonight Dice.

Candlelit Picnic Dinner: Even when it is cold and snowy out you can arrange a cozy candlelit picnic dinner for the two of you in your living room or bedroom. If you have a fireplace, stack up the wood and light it up. Have a bottle of your favorite wine and sensual finger treats to eat and feed one another.

Naughty Books: Books are easy to find and inexpensive to buy – so buy more than one. You and your lover are sure to enjoy one that’s a little on the naughty side – maybe a book of Penthouse Letter, Anne Rice’s erotic Beauty Series, or go with the classic Karma Sutra – sure to help you provide many nights of romantic gifts to one another.

Get Wet: When you arrive home after work, hand the one you love a gift bag that holds a big bottle of bubble bath, exotic scented oil, floating candles and sponges. Include a note that tells her to meet you in the bath after dinner (or after the kids go to bed).

The Gift That Keeps Giving: Sign your lover (or both of you) up for a Year of Lingerie. You can prepay for the year and have sexy lingerie delivered to your door every month (or every other month for smaller budgets). Every time the sexy package is delivered you can count on a special night together with your new novelties and have the sensual magic of your Christmas gift last all year long.

Copyright 2005 www.katieroseintimates.com Katie Rose Intimates Sexy Costumes and Lingerie

ATTENTION WEBMASTERS and EZINE PUBLISHERS – Permission is granted to publish this article on your site or in your Ezine but ONLY if my bio paragraph is included and all links are hyperlinked. I would also appreciate a note letting me know that you are using it, although it is not mandatory, I just like to see where my work is being used.

Katie Rose is the owner of Katie Rose Intimates Sexy Costumes and Lingerie – a fine lingerie shop featuring romantic Christmas and holiday gifts, fantasy clothing, leather and lace and intimate apparel in sexy, erotic, romantic and unique styles – with special attention for the plus size woman and Katie Rose Kids – an online boutique for clothing, toys and unique gifts for preemies, infants, toddlers, preschoolers and moms too. We have baby shower gift, as well as bath accessories, baby slings, books, decor, educational toys and personalized clothes, blankets and keepsake gifts. Perfect for Christmas, Easter, Valentines and other Holiday presents.