According to many world travelers, the best way to fully experience a visited country and culture is through their cuisine. Belize is a South American country where the primary meal fare is red beans, rice and chicken. While this may seem to be staple, eating this in Belize is an altogether different experience for the individual.

The chicken is prepared and served on the bone. The rice and beans is a mixed dish, often cooked in coconut milk and spices. The rice is white cooked milled grain while the beans are often stewed pinto beans. Other inclusions to this Belizean staple are fresh fruits, such as oranges, grapefruits, pineapples, papayas, bananas and plantains. These fruits are included either as dessert or appetizers for a Belizean meal.

Another Belizean staple is hot sauce and not just any hot sauce but a specific one. Called Marie Sharp’s, this hot sauce is made from a local habanero pepper and comes in three flavors, such as mild, hot and extremely hot. Another common table fare is citrus marinated seafood or locally known as ceviche. The most popular preparations are fresh raw conch and vegetables but it also has fish, squid and other sea creatures. Many say that a good hangover cure is the run-off from the ceviche stews. One common street food is called a papusa. This is a maize pancake with different topping options sold on stalls and carts in Belize’s streets.

Not only is eating a good thing in Belize, but also drinking. The national beer is called Belikin and has four different varieties. These are Belikin Premium, Belikin Beer, Belikin Stout and Lighthouse Lager. Guiness Stout is also available but is marketed by the Belikin Brewing Company. All these beers are sold in glass bottles and a purist in the country drinks from the bottle, though this is not recommended to foreigners and tourists.

Another Belizean drink is the One Barrel Rum. This is distilled from molasses and the brewery is located just outside Belize City. There are many colors and sizes, the largest being a seventy (70) gallon cask. For other spirits, there is cashew wine, ginger wine, sorrel wine and blackberry wine.

There is a specific dining etiquette when eating in a Belizean home. Guests are served first and the host family would wait until you are done with the meal. Everything placed on the plate needs to be finished, so it is recommended that take only small portions, for your benefit. Once done, push the plate slightly away with the utensils by the side of the plate.

Specific meals also have specific dining rules. When eating tortillas, it is best to tear the tortilla into pieces as it is being eaten. Do await for the host to say “Buen Provecho!” before digging in. The knife is on the right hand while the fork is on the left. When eating with your hands, always have your hands above the table, with wrists resting and not the elbows on the table. When eating a salad, lettuce should not be cut but instead be folded to be picked up with the fork.

Bobby Castro is the online editor at Gringos, where he has published a number of articles about moving to Belize and many other topics.

The Australian Outback is a region Down Under that has been romanticized and glamorized through film and fiction. In reality, this is a dangerous place in the country, not just because of the wildlife, but because of the terrain and the weather conditions. Yet despite the danger, the area has become a favored tourist destination. The following are the facts to be remembered when going to this area in Australia:

1) Nearly four hundred tourists perish in Australia annually. This is a small percentage of the total number of foreign tourists that visit the country. Nearly all of these deaths could have been avoided, such as driving on the wrong side of the road.

2) Many die of exposure or exhaustion when traveling through the Outback. This occurs through motor breakdown or fuel loss when on the road. Much of the Outback remains uninhabited thus leaving many stranded and exposed to the elements without means of communication.

3) When traveling, always have maps of the area. GPS still is spotty in some areas. Another important supply essential is water as the Outback is a desert area. Better have a citizen’s band or CB radio available as many areas do not have mobile phone sites for connection.

4) Information is essential. Read up on where you are going and plan ahead. Inform others of your trip and communicate with them on certain periods to assure them of your safety. Have an emergency fail safe plan, such as not checking in after two days would signal that you would be in danger leading to a search party right away.

5) The major condition that affects tourists is heatstroke. Many tourists are not fully acclimatized to the Australian weather, especially during the summer season where temperatures can rise up to fifty degrees Celsius. This can be avoided with proper hydration, keeping cool in shaded areas and wearing light loose fitting clothes. Signs of the condition include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, headaches, cramps and dizziness.

6) The Australian sun also has been a major factor in the high incidence of skin cancer in the country. Because of the ultra-violet rays, which still affects the skin cells even during cloudy days, it would be best to wear a hat and slap on sunscreen lotion for safety.

7) It would be best to avoid jumping into an unknown body of water. There is danger of bodily harm if the water is too shallow or if there are sharp rocks under the water. Avoid camping out in dry creek beds as flashfloods can suddenly occur even with a drizzle in your area.

When driving in the Outback, do be on the lookout for the wildlife especially kangaroos or wombats as these can cause serious damage to the vehicle and even danger to your person.

Bobby Castro is the online editor at the Australia Forum, where he has published a number of articles about travel in Australia and many other topics.

Panama is not always all about the Canal. There are many other places in the country that are often overlooked. These include the Darien or Isla San Jose for the outdoorsy and adventurous tourists. For those that are just out to relax and take a load off, there are many other tourist destinations available for all to see and experience in Panama.

The Islands. There are many islands in Panama, the most popular is known as San Blas Islands. This is where the Kuna, amongst the world’s smallest people, live their way of life prior to the “discovery” of the Americas. The Kuna govern the region and have created policies that limit eco-tourism to live and fit with their indigenous way of life. The waters around the island are colored baby blue with many island rock formations. There white sand beaches and one can go island hopping, swimming from one island to another around the main island.

The Highlands. Called the Boquete Region, this is a little mountain area where the towns of Boquete and Volcan are located. The area is six hours by land from Panama City but can be reached via flight into David City. From David City, the region is just a 45 minute drive. Among the best in the area are fresh strawberries and nata. One of the most famous restaurants is called The Rock. There are many sights to see in the region, such as ancient petroglyphs, horse farms and national forests where a dormant 11,000 foot volcano is located. These are just some of the many experiences and memories to be had in the region.

The City. Panama City is still amongst the top attractions in Panama itself. One of the most beautiful areas is Casco Viejo with its historic architecture. The city is dotted with majestic plazas and one can be entertained in the National Theater. The most romantic area is Plaza Bolivar, as there are cafes and the famed Salon Bolivar. This is the area where Simon Bolivar tried to create a league of nations of South America to make a United Pan Americas. The beach is also a stone’s throw from the city, just twelve miles away.

As can be seen, Panama is so much more than the Canal. There are beaches, highlands and cityscapes for the itinerant traveler to the country. Visiting the country can be done and thus enrich one’s outlook and experience with Panama.

Bobby Castro is the online editor at Gringos, where he has published a number of articles about Panama news for expats and many other topics.

It might seem like any inn located near the coast would be an acceptable place to stay while vacationing. But when looking for a great hotel in Pismo Beach, there are a few things you should keep in mind to make the most of your vacation. Consider location, pricing, amenities, and customer service and satisfaction.

Location
Your ideal Pismo Beach lodging should be close to two things: the water, and your preferred activities. The whole reason for going to the coast is to enjoy the water and the sand, so the smaller the distance to get there, the better. Plus, who wouldn’t love an ocean view? Sometimes, though, a visit to the city is necessary and makes the experience more fun. When looking for motels in Pismo Beach, find out how far the “fun” sites are. Going downtown, to the pier, to shop, to eat, or even to bowl should not be a challenging ordeal for you and your family. The best place will offer the best of both worlds–natural and city.

Pricing
Trips can be costly. Along with travel by plane or car and food costs, this is no doubt something you should consider. Be on the lookout for specials. Does the hotel in Pismo Beach have special offers on longer stays? You should probably pay less per day if you are staying for a month than somebody staying for just a week. Also, costs can vary by season. Figuring out when you want to go (and what kind of weather you want to have) will affect how much you pay. Naturally, the busy season would be more costly. Lastly, an oceanfront view may or may not be worth the extra money for you. Figure out which works best with your budget.

Amenities
Your stay should be comfortable. If this is a big family outing, will a studio-sized place suffice, or should you get a multi-bedroom suite? If you are looking for modern amenities, find a place that can accommodate you. Wireless internet comes standard these days, as well as cable television channels. You should make sure that (especially in warmer climates) air conditioning is available. And depending on the length of your stay, you might need more of a homey feel (e.g. refrigerators, laundry, etc.).

Customer Service and Satisfaction
At some point, it will be necessary to contact the front desk with questions about one thing or another. Call for reservations and pricing specials, and gauge their helpfulness. Check the ratings of the place online. Are there customer comments? Some hotel websites will have a guestbook where customers can leave comments about their experiences. These can be helpful to factor in to your decision as well. If you’re paying big money, you should expect big service.

In short, the primary things to consider are location, pricing, amenities, and customer service and satisfaction. Do your research to find out if the Pismo Beach lodging you are considering will meet your needs.

The Sea Gypsy Motel is one of the jewels of the Central Coast of California. We welcome you to make motels in Pismo Beach your home away from home.(http://www.seagypsymotel.com)

With spring round the corner and the Easter holidays coming up, one of the most important things on our mind is our next holiday. However, when planning a holiday we tend to look abroad and forget what our very own England has to offer. The Spanish Beaches, the French Countryside and Swiss Mountains seem to be our first choice and we completely ignore the beauty of our own country. England is rich in history and diversity. The amazing beaches in Cornwall, Brighton or Blackpool, the beautiful Lake District, the mountains up north, the fascinating county side gives us plenty to choose from. But why not do something completely different this summer and shake off your winter blues by stepping outdoors for a self-guided walking holiday?

Self-guided walking holidays give you the liberty of walking at your own pace and exploring whatever you want. There are plenty of travel agencies who offer walking holidays in England. They usually arrange everything for you from Bed and Breakfast’s on the way to luggage transfer. They can also give you valuable advice on what to see and where to spend more time.

Walking holidays in England are a great way to discover more about the country. You can take your own time, enjoy the local food and know more about the place by interacting with the locals. You have plenty to choose from as well depending on which part of the country you want to visit and what you want to do. You have the beautiful mountain trails up north and the fantastic sceneries of Cotswolds or the beaches in Devon in the south. You can choose to do a coast to coast walk as well.

If you are interested in history, the Hadrian’s Wall Walk is a great option. This walk basically offers you everything: forts, museums and some of England’s wildest and most beautiful countryside. If you have time then you can chose to explore the whole of the 84 miles the wall covers. However circular walks and smaller trails are also there to cater to the needs of everyone.Hadrian’s Wall was built in 122 AD by Emperor Hadrian of Rome. It took over six years to build and even now it is still the largest monument in northern Europe. UNESCO has declared this as a world heritage site. You can still get a real feel of the history along the way especially when you encounter a re-enactment of a battle or meet a guide dressed in full roman attire.

So this spring pack your bags, put you walking shoes on and explore the beauty of England. No matter what you like history or scenic beauty, tasting local cuisine or photography, museums or national parks, England has something for everyone. It will be one experience that you will not regret.

Bill Weston writes on a number of subjects including walking holidays in England

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