Tips for the First Time Traveler

When it comes to broadening horizons and gaining a greater understanding of the world and its people, there is nothing quite like travel. It has been said that if people traveled more there would be fewer wars and greater international cooperation. I cannot vouch for the veracity of that statement, but it is certainly true that traveling to other parts of the world and meeting different people can have an enormous positive impact on one's life.

For the first time traveler, however, there are a number of important tips to keep in mind, and some common problems to avoid. Traveling for the first time is always exciting, whether the traveler is 8 or 80, and that first trip can be a time of anticipation and no small amount of apprehension. Knowing what to avoid and what to look out for can do a lot to make the trip exciting and fun without falling prey to any travel related mishaps.

Tip #1 Get it in Writing
It is important for all travelers, from the first time traveler to the most experienced, to keep paper copies of all travel related documents. The age of paper airline tickets is quickly drawing to a close, but it is important to make several copies of the confirmation page for electronic airline tickets, as well as copies of the confirmation number for hotel and rental car reservations.

It is a good idea to make several copies of each document and keep them in several different places. For instance, pack one copy of your travel documents in your carryon bag, another in your checked luggage and a third in your purse. This will help ensure that the documents are not lost in the event a bag fails to make it to its final destination.

Tip #2 Find a great travel agent
We all know that the days of airline reimbursed travel agencies are over, and that many hands on travel agents have disappeared in favor of on-line direct travel purchases and Bulk travel groups. The great secret among those who travel a great deal is, that there are still boutique travel agencies that for a very small fee, will give you the kind of service that will make you smile, and will watch your back where ever you travel. We highly recommend Tara Travel, which you can access with a click on the link in the right hand top corner. GS Travel Advice provides a link to Tara Travel, because we think they are the best at what they do, and we know what we are talking about, our employees use them as well.

Tip #3 Do Not Overpack
Packing too much stuff is perhaps the number one mistake of the inexperienced traveler. Most travelers get the light packing religion after their first time dragging all those bags through a crowded airport, but it is best to avoid the problem altogether by packing only the essentials. Learning how to pack light is one of the most important of all travel related skills.

One way to cut down on the weight of the suitcase is to pack clothes that can serve a variety of purposes. For the men, packing a sport coat in a neutral color, along with one or two pairs of slacks, a pair of jeans and perhaps a pair of shorts, is a good way to cut down the weight of the suitcase while still having all the clothes that are needed.

For the ladies, packing a basic black skirt, in along with a few coordinating tops, is a good way to pack light while still being ready for any occasion. Packing casual clothes such as shorts helps complete the look without taking up a lot of space. As for shoes, comfort is king when it comes to travel. Men and women alike should pack a pair of comfortable walking shoes and leave those spike heels at home.

Tip #4 Buy the Book
Buying a quality guidebook to your destination can go a long way toward making the trip a success. The best guidebooks come packed full of great maps, as well as walking tours and a list of things to see and do. Having such a guidebook along will help ensure you do not miss a thing.

Tip #5 Seek out the personal stories
Read about the places you are preparing to see. Many wonderful books exist to make the most of your time, as we noted above, however, personal experiences add a great deal to the texture of a place. Take the time to look for personal experiences on the web, and of course don't forget to read our GS Travel Advice about the places you are going.

Tip #6 Keep Your Valuables Safe
While no one likes to think about becoming a victim of a pickpocket or other petty criminal, such things can and do happen. It is important to know what to look out for, and how to avoid becoming a crime victim. One of the best ways to keep safe while on vacation is to invest in a money belt or a special wallet that tucks inside your clothes. These great travel items are available at department stores and specialty travel stores, and they are the perfect size for securing passports, plane tickets, hotel keys and other valuables.

It is also a good idea to carry as little cash as possible, and to pay for the majority of purchases with a credit or debit card. In most cases customers will not be held liable for any fraudulent purchases on a credit or debit card, but cash cannot be replaced so easily.

Separating cash and credit cards into two separate wallets provides an additional level of safety and security. For instance, keeping half of the travelers checks, cash and credit cards in a separate wallet kept in the hotel safe can provide much needed peace of mind in the event of a problem.

In addition to these important safety tips, when traveling abroad it is important to keep a copy of your passport at home with a family member or trusted friend. Having a copy of your passport available will make its replacement a great deal easier in the event of a loss or theft.

Tourist Attractions of Historic Tea Tree Gully

The Kaurna Aboriginal tribe once called the magnificent South Australian area now known as, Tea Tree Gully, home. Although many of the region's natural attractions retain tribal names, unfortunately there's little evidence of their occupation left today. European settlement began in the early 18th century and statistics gleaned from the region's first Census taken in 1855 to the latest Census (taken in 2004) show the permanent, and very multicultural population has increased from just 1,140 to well over 100,000.

Tea Tree Gully is very special indeed and every visitor to Adelaide should experience at least a few of its many delights – it sits in the foothills of the stunning Adelaide Hills, is known as the gateway to the Adelaide Hills and the Flinders Ranges and manages to merge “urban” and “rural” elements more than admirably. The city's urban center, which is just 15 kilometers from the state's capital, offers not only all the modern services, recreational facilities, entertainment, shopping, dining and sightseeing opportunities you can handle, but just a short (and very scenic) drive away, you'll find hillside vineyards and wineries, well-kept orchards, picturesque lakes and creeks, dense native wooded gullies, farms and numerous culturally distinct historic townships.

The city's transport systems are excellent and it's easy to navigate the city roads, but if you're planning to venture further and tour the hills, especially if you're not used to driving narrow, winding roads, I'd advise you book a coach tour. Guided and catered tours are regularly offered and will take you to many attractions you may miss if you're not familiar with the roads (they can be confusing) and allow you to really appreciate the spectacular vistas the region offers.

It's easy to spend quite some time in and around Tea Tree Gully and whether you love the hustle and bustle of city centers or prefer the beauty, peace and serenity of the countryside, Tea Tree Gully delivers on both counts. For those considering a visit, the following is a brief overview of the city's most popular and most culturally distinct attractions:

* Gumeracha is among South Australia's oldest settled towns. In the early 18th century, William Beavis Randell built a grand home (Tinmath) and helped establish the region's first flour mill. A post office, a police station, a courthouse, a town hall, a hospital, a butter factory, a school, a general store, various inns and hotels and the state's oldest Baptist church, Salem Baptist Church, soon followed as the town's various agricultural and commercial industries flourished. Today, the town is a popular tourist attraction not only for its “Old English” charm, culture and architecture, but also for a number of its very special attractions such as the Big Rocking Horse (a six-storey high rocking horse – if you climb to the top you'll get a certificate), the Toy Factory (specializing in hand-made wooden toys), the Gumeracha National Park and the popular Chain of Ponds Winery. The Chain of Ponds Winery and Cellar Door spans 60.7 hectares, was established in 1993 and is often described as “A taste of Tuscany in the Adelaide Hills.” The winery specializes in premium red and white table wines from rich cabernet sauvignons and cabernet francs to light and fruity rieslings and chardonnays. You can wine and dine in style here and even watch or participate in a friendly game of Petanque (a traditional French game of lawn bowls). The attraction's Cellar Door offers daily wine tastings and delicious locally produced gourmet platters and for those who wish to stay overnight, the stunningly renovated bluestone, Vinyard Cottage (circa 1880), offers accommodation for up to eight people, a fully equipped kitchen, an eight person spa, a romantic open log fireplace and fabulously landscaped patio and barbecue areas. Although the Chain of Ponds Winery is the biggest winery in the region, there are a few other wineries such as the Malcolm Creek Vineyard and the impressive Samphire Winery (which includes a fabulous pottery factory and gallery) that are also definitely worth a visit.

* The Tea Tree Gully Golf Club is a golfer's dream. The club started as a nine hole course in the 18th century but by 1952, the course had been expanded to an eighteen hole layout. Ensuing extensive (and ongoing) development of the course and clubhouse facilities has not only made the Tea Tree Gully Golf Club one of South Australia's most beautiful and prestigious golfing destinations, but also one of the state's most exciting and stylish social locations. The clubhouse's lounge and function center features excellent gaming, reception, conference and dining facilities and hosts many seasonal themed events.

* The Old Highercombe Hotel Folk Museum boasts a fascinating past and has become one of Tea Tree Gully's most prominent landmarks. This historic attraction was first established in 1854 as a hotel and has since served as a post office, a community hall, a school house and as a residence for the region's various postmasters and teachers (and their families). In 1967 the Tea Tree Gully branch of the National Trust of South Australia purchased and restored the historic building, which is now utilized as a folk museum. It now showcases the region's rich and distinct history via archival and photographic collections and clothing, art, craft, furniture and various agricultural exhibitions. The museum is open to the general public from 2pm to 5pm each Sunday, but private tours can be arranged by appointment.

* The Tea Tree Plaza is the city's shopping hub and is owned by the Westfield Group. The plaza was opened in 1970 as a one level, fairly ordinary shopping center that encompassed only a few shops. However, major commitment and development over the years has made the Tea Tree Plaza the second largest shopping center in Adelaide. It spans over 95,332 square meters, provides parking for 4,500 cars and with over 240 brand and boutique shops, amazing food courts, dozens of fast food outlets, licensed bistros, game arcades, banking and travel facilities and Hoyts cinema complexes, is a true shop-a-holic's delight. You'll lose track of time while at this monolithic shopping plaza – just make sure you wear comfortable shoes and keep the credit card handy!

There's a lot more to do and see in Tea Tree Gully. The Fox and Firkin Restaurant, the Tea Tree Gully Hotel, Civic Park, St. Agnes Cellars, Hannaford Cottage and the Tea Tree Gully Library (which is said to be haunted) are all must see city attractions and Snake Gully, Anstey Hill, Highercombe and Houghton are wonderful country attractions no self-respecting naturist or culture vulture should miss – you'll love Tea Tree Gully.

Further information about Tea Tree Gully can be found at:

www.au.geocities.com/ttg_historical_society/historyofteatreegully.html
www.//travel.away.com/Australia/travel-vacation-11-303546-Tea-Tree-Gully.html

Micronesia, What's in a Name?

Since we have reported several articles from Micronesia, we thought it best to help our readers understand what this description actually means today, and some of the history of what would become “Micronesia”.

Micronesia, from the Greek, micros (meaning small) and nesos (meaning island), is a sub region of Oceania, comprising hundreds of small islands in the Pacific Ocean. The Philippines lie to the northwest, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Melanesia to the west and southwest, and Polynesia to the east.

This region consists of many hundreds of small islands spread over a large region of the western Pacific. The only empire known to have originated in Micronesia was based in Yap. The term “Micronesia” was first proposed to distinguish the region in 1831 by Jules Dumont d'Urville; before this the term “Polynesia” was in use to generally describe the islands of the Pacific.

Politically, Micronesia is divided into eight nation-states and territories: Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia (sometimes referred to simply as Micronesia”, or abbreviated as “FSM”), Nauru, Northern Marina Islands, Palau, and Wake Island.

Much of the area was to come under European domination quite early. Guam the Northern Marinas, and the Caroline Islands (what would later become the FSM and Palau) were colonized early by the Spanish. These islands territories were part of the Spanish East Indies and governed from Spanish Philippines since the early 17th century until 1898. Full European expansion did not come, however, until the early 20th century, when the area would be divided between: the United States, which took control of Guam following the Spanish-American war of 1898, and colonized Wake island: Germany, which took Nauru and bought the Marshall, Caroline, and Northern Mariana Islands from Spain: and the British Empire, which took the Gilbert Islands (Kiribati).

During the First World War, Germany's Pacific island territories were taken from it and were made League of Nations Mandates. Nauru became an Australian mandate, while Germany's other territories were given as mandates to Japan. This remained the situation until Japan's defeat in the Second World War, when its mandates became a United Nations Trusteeship ruled by the United States, The Trust of the Pacific islands. Today, all of Micronesia (with the exception of Guam and Wake Island, which are U.S. territories, and the Northern Mariana Islands, which is a U.S. Commonwealth) are independent states.

Three of London's Best-Kept Cultural Secrets

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By Jane Dee

Visitors to London are spoiled when it comes to museums and galleries. The National Gallery, the Tate Modern (as well as the original Tate Gallery), the Natural History Museum… all of these will undoubtedly appear on the “must-see” list of most visitors. But there are some lesser-known museums and galleries which are just as good -- if not better -- than the more popular tourist staples…

The Geffrye Museum

The Geffrye Museum leads the visitor on a walk through time through the domestic interiors of the country's urban middle classes. Its displays span from 1600 to the present day, forming a sequence of period rooms which capture the essence of English interior design. The period rooms lead the visitor through time from a 17th century oak-paneled hall to a late 20th century living space in a converted warehouse. The museum itself is set in the former almshouses of the Ironmongers' Company -- attractive 18th century buildings surrounded by mature trees and peaceful gardens in Shoreditch, east London. There's also an award-winning walled herb garden and a series of period garden rooms providing a haven of beauty and botanical interest in an area once noted for its horticultural significance.

In recent years, Shoreditch, where the Geffrye Museum is located, and neighboring Hoxton have changed from a dilapidated and much-ignored part of London to the city's uber-trendiest spot. Yet the more observant visitor can still see the remains of yesteryear in the area: old warehouses retaining their original form and structure now playing host to the latest in music and club-life.

And any visitor to the Geffrye Museum also gets to see the old, faded painted advertisement for Bloom's Pianos appearing on the end wall of an adjacent row of shops -- this wonderful sight in itself is worth a trip to Shoreditch.

Free admission.

Open: Tuesday – Saturday 10am to 5pm. Sundays and Public Holiday Mondays 12 noon to 5pm.
The Geffrye Museum is closed on Mondays (unless it's a public holiday).
Nearest stations: Tube (subway) - Liverpool Street, Old Street (short bus ride or walk from either). Rail - Liverpool Street, Dalston Kingsland.

The Photographers' Gallery

Located in the center of the city, anyone who's visited London before will have undoubtedly walked past this gallery without giving it a second look. But although its small, unassuming exterior is easily missed, it has established itself as the country's number one venue for contemporary photography.

Founded in 1971, the Photographers' Gallery was the country's first independent gallery devoted to photography. The gallery is housed in two separate locations: the prime exhibition space and bookstore are at 8 Great Newport Street, while at 5 Great Newport Street there's a smaller gallery with a café situated in the middle of the exhibition space -- so you get to look at great art while you're taking a rest and having a coffee.

As well as nurturing new talent, the gallery's year-round program of exhibitions and educational events presents the most innovative developments in photography, with the gallery's core collection boosted by an eclectic selection of photographs by emerging artists. The Photographers' Gallery, with its compact venue, is an ideal attraction for filling in an hour or so when in the center of the city.

Free admission.
Open: Monday – Saturday 11am to 6pm (to 8pm on Thursday). Sunday 12 noon to 6pm.
Nearest stations: Tube (subway) – Leicester Square, Covent Garden. Rail – Charing Cross, City Thameslink.

Sir John Soane's Museum

Not only is this museum amazing, but the building in which it's housed is quite something, too. The museum is the former home of architect Sir John Soane whose passion for acquisition was such that he became England's most famous collector. In 1806 Soane was appointed Professor of Architecture at the Royal Academy, and opened his house on the day preceding and the day following each of his lectures for the use of his students. In 1833 Soane negotiated an Act of Parliament to preserve the house for the benefit of “amateurs and students” in architecture, painting, and sculpture.

The museum, spanning three Georgian town houses which remain, more or less, as they were in Soane's time, displays the architect's collections and personal effects acquired between the 1780s and his death in 1837, including Egyptian and Medieval antiquities, stained glass, and paintings. It's a magical treasure trove of some of the most wonderful objects one could ever hope to find in a museum. Owing to the delicate nature of the building and the exposed collections, there's a limit on the total number of people who can visit the museum at any one time, so be prepared to queue for this one (particularly if you plan to visit on a Saturday). The earlier you arrive, the better your chances of not having a long wait (the museum opens at 10am). Don't take any large bags or cases as these can't be accommodated in the museum. Don't let these restrictions put you off though -- this museum is fascinating!

Free admission.
Open: Tuesday – Saturday 10am to 5pm. There's a special candlelit opening on the first Tuesday of each month from 6pm to 9pm, and a museum tour each Saturday at 11am - tickets on sale from 10.30am at ?5 (approximately $10).
Nearest station: Tube – Holborn.