10 Ways To Improve Long Term Memory

What is human  memory?

Simply stated,  memory is the mental processes that are used to acquire, store, retain and later retrieve information.  The information can be obtained from our 5 senses before they are processed by the brain. There are three major processes involved in memory, namely Processing, Storage and Retrieval.

Processing

New information or experiences make their way to the brain through the 5 senses where they are processed by the neurons in the brain.  The key to having your brain successfully processing the information into your memory is paying careful attention to the information or experience.  For example, if you are being introduced to a new colleague but your mind is on the Chinese cuisine you are going to have for lunch, chances are, you will not remember you new colleague’s name.

Storage

If you’ve paid enough attention to the new information, your hippocampus, or that part of your brain vital in the information processing, will send a signal to save the information into the long-term memory.  This process can be enhanced if you use some memory techniques that will be discussed later, to help you store the information.

Retrieval

When the time comes to retrieve the information, your brain will stimulate the same pattern of nerve cells that was used to store it.  The more you recall and use that information, the better you get at recalling it as the same pathways are strengthened.

How is long term memory compared to short term memory?

Short-term memory, also known as working memory, is the information we are aware of or thinking about, at the present moment. For example, when you look up the phone number of a store you need to call to check on the availability of an item. The store’s phone number is held in short term memory. Short term memory is fragile and usually parts or all of it can be forgotten in a short period of time.  Because most times, the information, like the telephone number, is only needed for that moment.  Unless of course, you need to call up the store a few times a day every day for a week, then it will be lodged in your brain for a much longer period of time.

Long-term memory refers to the continuing storage of information. It  involves the effort (conscious or unconscious) you make around a piece of information in order to retain it for a longer period of time, because it’s personally important or meaningful to you (for example, your wife’s birthday); you need it (such as job procedures or material you’re studying for an exam); or it made an emotional impact (a place you had an accident, the restaurant where you were proposed for marriage or the first time you drove a car).   As long-term memory is subject to being faded out or parts or the whole of the event being forgotten, several recalls/retrievals of memory may be needed for long-term memories to last for years, it is dependent also on the depth of processing. Individual retrievals can take place in increasing intervals in accordance with the principle of carefully spaced repetition.

Here then are 10 ways to improve your long term memory or memory in general.

1. Physical Exercise

Over the years, as more studies are conducted on the human brain, it has become more apparent to scientists that the connections between the body and mind are stronger than were previously imagined.  Not only is physical exercise important for keeping the body healthy, but it has also become apparent that it may reduce the chances of a person developing dementia or other memory disorders. There are a number of reasons why this occurs.

Physical exercise has an effect on the cardiovascular system that is well documented. It seems that there is a connection between the health of the brain and the health of the heart.

It has been discovered that physical exercise is also responsible for the regulation of the blood sugar levels. Experts believe  that the amount of glucose tolerance in the body has an effect on the size of the hippocampus. In addition to this, exercise will increase the amount of blood flow to the brain, and this blood is rich in oxygen. Increasing the amount of oxygen and blood to the brain will allow it to function correctly, and this will have an effect on the memory. While physical exercise is important for both men and women, research have shown that it is more important for aging women than men.

 2. Mental Exercise

Performing a mental exercise twice a day could help delay the rapid memory loss associated with dementia for more than a year,” The Daily Telegraph reported. It said that a study of nearly 500 people aged 75 to 85 years looked at how often they did crosswords or puzzles, read, wrote or played card games. Of those who developed dementia, people who did 11 mental exercises a week developed memory problems about a year and four months later on average than those who did four exercises a week.  It is small wonder that in the Chinese are fond of playing mahjong to keep their mind sharp.  In western countries, playing bridge or poker also helps.

3.  Get Quality Sleep

Scientists have debated over the years on the role of sleep and memory.  One entertaining theory suggests that  we needed sleep, when we were cavemen, to keep us wandering out of our caves and being eaten by sabertooth tigers.

One of the things we do know is that young birds and mammals need as much as three times the amount of sleep as adult birds and mammals. It has been suspected that neuronal connections are remodeled during sleep, and this has recently been supported in a study using cats (Cats who were allowed to sleep for six hours after their vision was blocked in one eye for six hours, developed twice as many new or modified brain connections as those cats who were kept awake in a dark room for the six hours after the period of visual deprivation).  In humans, sleep is necessary for memory consolidation. Sleep disorders like insomnia and sleep apnea leave you tired and unable to concentrate during the day.

 4.  Manage Your Stress

Have you ever forgotten something during a stressful situation that you should have remembered? Chronic over-secretion of the stress hormone, Cortisol, adversely affects brain function, especially memory.  Cortisol also interferes with the function of neurotransmitters, the chemicals that brain cells use to communicate with each other.

Excessive cortisol can make it difficult to think or retrieve long-term memories. That’s why people get befuddled and confused in a severe crisis. Their mind goes blank because “the lines are down.” They can’t remember where the fire exit is, for example.

Stress hormones divert blood glucose to exercising muscles, therefore the amount of glucose – hence energy – that reaches the brain’s hippocampus is diminished. This creates an energy crisis in the hippocampus which compromises its ability to create new memories. That may be why some people can’t remember a very traumatic event, and why short-term memory is usually the first casualty of age-related memory loss resulting from a lifetime of stress

 5. Nutrition

You probably know already that a diet based on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and “healthy” fats will provide lots of health benefits, but such a diet can also improve memory.  Studies have shown  that certain nutrients nurture and stimulate brain function.  For instance, 

Vitamin A combats toxins that damage brain cells.

Vitamin B1 is needed to produce the brain chemical acetylcholine, crucial for concentration levels and memory.

Vitamin B3 is essential for brain health.

Vitamin B6 improves nerve communication.

Vitamin B12 is needed to create the myelin sheath that protects nerves and speeds up the rate of electrical transmission.

Pantothenic acid is essential for the production of the brain chemical acetylcholine.

Folic acid seems to help guard against the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

(Best sources: spinach and other dark leafy greens, broccoli, asparagus, strawberries, melons, black beans and other legumes, citrus fruits, soybeans.)

Choline is needed to produce acetylcholine.

Vitamin C neutralizes harmful free radicals that may damage brain cells.

Vitamin E boosts brain function.

Best sources: blueberries and other berries, sweet potatoes, red tomatoes, spinach, broccoli, green tea, nuts and seeds, citrus fruits, liver.)

Omega3 fatty acids are concentrated in the brain and are associated with cognitive function. They count as “healthy” fats, as opposed to saturated fats and trans fats, protecting against inflammation and high cholesterol. (Best sources: cold-water fish such as salmon, herring, tuna, halibut, and mackerel; walnuts and walnut oil; flaxseed and flaxseed oil).  Because older adults are more prone to B12 and folic acid deficiencies, a supplement may be a good idea for seniors. An omega-3 supplement (at any age) if you don’t like eating fish. But nutrients work best when they’re consumed in foods, so try your best to eat a broad spectrum of colorful plant foods and choose fats that will help clear, not clog, your arteries.

6. Focus, Concentrate, Pay attention

If memory was a car, attention would be its fuel: New information is not stored into memory if not attended to, and distraction often leads to misremembering past events.

You can’t remember something if you never learned it, and you can’t learn something that is not processed by your brain, if you’ve not paid attention. It takes about eight seconds of intent focus to process a piece of information through your hippocampus and into the appropriate memory center. So, if you need to concentrate, do not do multiple jobs at the same time. If you distract easily, try to receive information in a quiet place where you won’t be interrupted.

7. Involve your senses

If you’re a visual learner, even when you are reading, you are seeing the information. For non-written material or physical items, really try to concentrate. Look carefully and slowly at the shape, color, texture of the object, the material its made of. Read out loud what you want to remember. If you can recite it rhythmically, better still. Try to relate information to colors, textures, smells and tastes. The physical act of rewriting information can help imprint it onto your brain.  If it’s a procedure or action you need to remember, do it. Do it several times. The act of “doing” is a separate mental pathway that you create. Just reading about something (or just hearing someone else explain how to do it) is not good enough.

 8. Memory Strategies

Mnemonics  are linkages of any kind that help us remember something, usually by causing us to associate the information we want to remember with a visual image, a sentence, or a word.

Common types of mnemonic devices are:

Visual images – For example,  thorns for remembering the name “Tony”, brine (salt solution) for “Brian”. Use images that are ludicrous or out of the ordinary to make your memory stand out, they’ll be easier to remember. Sentences in which the first letter of each word is part of or represents the initial of what you want to remember.  Musicians, for example, first memorized the lines of the treble staff with the sentence “Every good boy does fine” (or “deserves favor”), representing the notes E, G, B, D, and F. Medical students often learn groups of nerves, bones, and other anatomical features using nonsense sentences. Acronyms, which are initials that creates pronounceable words. For example, the colors of the rainbow are VIBGYOR for Violet, Indigo, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange and Red. Rhymes and alliteration: remember learning “30 days hath September, April, June, and November”? A hefty guy named Benedict can be remembered as “Big Ben” and an obnoxious  co-worker as “Pushy Paula” (though it might be best to keep such names to yourself). Jokes or even off-color associations using facts, figures, and names you need to recall, because funny or peculiar things are easier to remember than mundane images. “Chunking” information; that is, arranging a long list in smaller units or categories that are easier to remember. It’s easier to memorize your  credit card number if you can arrange the numbers in groups of 3 or 4 instead of a line of 16 numbers. “Loci Method”: This is an ancient method used by the Romans and effective way of remembering a lot of material, such as a speech. You associate each part of what you have to remember with a landmark in a route you know well, such as your way to work or stations along the subway or even the layout of your house.

9. Keeping What You Learnt Locked In

It is not uncommon to forget a large part of what you studied for a test.  If review is organized properly, recall rates can be kept high shortly after learning has been completed.  To accomplish this, a program interval of review must take place, each review being done at the time just before recall is about to drop.  For example, the first review should take place about 10 minutes after a one-hour learning period and should itself take 5 minutes.  This will keep the recall high for about one day, when the next review should take place, this time for a period of 2 to 4 minutes.  After this, recall will probably be retained for about a week, when another 2 minutes review can be completed followed by a further review after about one month.  After this time, the knowledge will be lodged in the Long Term memory.  This means it will be familiar in the way a personal telephone number is familiar, needing only the occasional nudge to maintain it.

 10. Practice, practice and practice.

It is important to put all the pieces together above and keep doing them until it becomes a habit.  Get started on a physical exercise program, learn a hobby or skill that will keep your memory sharp, like the game of bridge.  Make it a habit to focus your attention on something or someone, put the mnemonic methods to use although they may seem childish at first.  And last but not least, if you are really committed to storing some information into Long Term memory, remember to use the review frequency and stick to it because it REALLY WORKS.

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Yucatan Real Estate offers a Unique Combination of Lifestyle and Provincial Atmosphere in Progreso

The Mexico Beachfront real estate destination known as “El Progreso” in the Yucatan Real Estate area, is one of the few modern oceanfront communities which offers a large variety of attractions unique in Mexico; it also perfectly combines the beauty of its natural setting with the dynamic development and infrastructure of a city, while maintaining the provincial atmosphere of the old port.

As you arrive, you are welcomed by the fresh ocean breeze and the aroma of sea salt;  the sky will offer you that perfect blue which, passing the beach, is reflected in the ocean.  A variety of beachfront birds fly gracefully through the sky as they guide you to your destination: Progreso.

Now, imagine living in this beautiful location every day, or even at least part of the year.  But the Progreso’s beachfront lifestyle doesn’t grow old.  This unique branch of  Yucatan Real Estate offers many activities for family, friends or couples, offering water activities such as kayaking, boating, diving, and snorkeling , sports, recreation or adventure.

Progreso is located about 20 miles north of Merida, with access by one of the best highways in the Yucatan Peninsula.  While most services are readily available for real estate owners in Progreso, Merida, which is the largest city on the Yucatan Peninsula, provides quick access to anything you may not find in Progreso.

In Progress fun and adventure are limitless for anyone who likes to live the unique experience surrounded by nature.  Just a little southeast of Progreso, is the community of Corchito Springs, The Corchito is an area of freshwater springs where you can watch a variety of flora and fauna.  The area provides refuge and food source for various species such as birds, crustaceans, molluscs and reptiles. There is also a camping area.

Back in Progreso, The International Rowing and Canoeing Track is considered one of the most important in the western hemisphere, and even in the world for its natural characteristics, and throughout its brief history it has hosted various national and international competitions such as the 2001 Pan American Championship and the CANAMEX canoeing championship and two national youth rowing Olympics.  When athletes are not training, boats are available at no cost for residents and visitors alike.

On Progreso’s beachfront itself, the boardwalk, the site most visited by hundreds of visitors looking for an escape on the beach and in the sun, also offers a beautiful place for residents to spend an evening, with an especially beautiful  sunset tinged with a fiery ocher.  On the boardwalk are many little shops which include local crafts, clothing stores and restaurants.

Progreso offers over a mile of beachfront, where you can use  a paddle boat or other watercraft, as well as beach volleyball or soccer, or just sitting on the beach to seek relaxation in a contact of natural fullness.  On the beach there are palapa-style restaurants that are along the street to enjoy the most delicious Yucatan seafood cuisine.

Walking through the main streets of the city, you breathe a peaceful atmosphere of an old port that still retains its provincial atmosphere.  In the town, modern luxury is combined with traditional Mexican architecture, dating from 1856, it was founded.  One example is the new modern marketplace and culture house located in one of the oldest port houses.

If you love architecture and history, you will appreciate the Municipal Palace, with colonial arches and murals which offer visitors and residents alike to connect with the area’s history. The port of Progreso was founded because of the need to relocate the state’s main port to a site closer to the state capital, so when the request was presented to the Federal Government, President General Ignacio Comonfort, granted permission to build port on  the 25th of February, 1856.

This combination of beachfront living and provincial atmosphere are not common, not to mention the proximity to all the conveniences of a large city.  To find out more about real estate in Progreso, contact the TOPMexicoRealEstate NETWORK.

TOPMexicoRealEstate NETWORK; Mexico’s Leading Network of Specialists for Finding and Purchasing Mexican Properties Safely

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Sightseeing Tour of Rajasthan Cities

Situated in the North-Western part of India, Rajasthan is one of the most beautiful and charming state of India. This deserted region appeals tourists from all over the world to explore its magnetizing beauty. It is festooned with vibrant cities, wildlife parks and sanctuaries, colorful fairs and festivals, royal monuments, forts and palaces, blossoming gardens, which are amazingly beautiful and mesmerizing. While on Rajasthan tours you can visit to cities like Jaipur- Pink City of India, Udaipur – Romantic City, Jodhpur – Blue City, Jaisalmer – Golden City, Pushkar and Ajmer – Holy City, etc which are amazingly beautiful and worth visiting.

Jaipur the capital city of Rajasthan is one of the most visited cities of Rajasthan. It is fondly known as the Pink City of India, which is endowed with heart grabbing beauty of forts, palaces and havelis. Amber Fort is one of the most beautiful forts of Rajasthan, which is situated in the outskirts of Jaipur. Jantar Mantar- Astronomical Wonderland, Hawa Mahal- Palaces of Winds, Jaigarh Fort, Nahargarh Fort, City Palace, Laxmi Narayan Temple, etc are the most admired tourist attraction of the Jaipur city. The local markets of Jaipur are Shopper’s Paradise. Once can enjoy stroll in the market festooned with handlooms, artifacts, jewelries, traditional Rajasthani’s dress, etc. Hotels of Jaipur are also famous for their warm hospitality and world class accommodation facilities which make the tours in Jaipur, a lifetime experience.

Jaisalmer is another beautiful city of Rajasthan famous for alluring forts, havelis and desert safari. It is fondly known as the Golden City of India. Jaisalmer tour takes you the heart grabbing Salim-Singh-Ki-Haveli, Patwon-Ki-Haveli, Nathmal-JI-Ki Haveli, etc. In the city there are several Jain temples among which the Parswanath Temple is the oldest and the most beautiful one. From here one can also enjoy the guided Desert Safari on the back of the camel. Camel ride on the rippling Sam Sand dunes will be a unique and unforgettable experience of Rajasthan tour and travels.

Pushkar, Ajmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Kota, Udaipur, etc are the most visited cities of Rajasthan. Each city of Rajasthan has own charm and beauty that appeals tourists from all over the world. Udaipur the fairytale city of Rajasthan is fondly known as the City of Lakes. In this city there are several picturesque lakes among which Pichola Lake is the famous one. Udaipur city tours will transport you to the beautiful medieval forts and monuments which depict the grandeur, glory and past of the state. The medieval zeal of honor, love and romance and the extravaganza lifestyle of the Rajputs Rajas and Maharajas can be seen here in Rajasthan. Striking Fort, elegant palaces, grand havelis, blossoming gardens, terrific temples, heritage hotels, etc are the prime attraction of the tourists which never fails to lure the tourist’s heart. In the evening tourists can also enjoy the boating over the picturesque Pichola Lake which is a unique and outstanding experience of Udaipur city tour.

Talking about cities of Rajasthan, Bharatpur is also one of the most beautiful cities of Rajasthan, India. There are several brilliant attractions in the city among which the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is the most famous one. The UNESCO recognized sanctuary is the part of the Rajasthan wildlife tour which offers tourists to see several astonishing species of birds in their natural home. Sariska Tiger Reserve, Ranthambhore National Park, Desert National Park, Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary, etc are the part of Rajasthan wildlife tour. They provide wonderful opportunity to the adventure seekers, nature lovers and wildlife lovers to see wild animals in their natural home.

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Themed Party Ideas for Planning Events

Happy New Year! 2010 is kicking off to a great start for planning events. With the SAG Awards® coming up on January 23rd (simulcast on TNT and TBS at 8 p.m. ET/PT) along with the other seasonal award shows, now is as good as time as any to discuss themed party ideas for your next special event.

When planning events, I always find it best to start with an event theme. From the event theme, everything else flows for the party from invitations to design and décor to the catering menu. Themed party ideas can include a color theme such as pretty in pink or a western days theme, circus theme, luau or island tropic theme – the list is endless.

Detailed Description for Themed Party Ideas

Below I have flushed out an idea I have used in the past when planning events. More event theme ideas and details can be found in my easy-to-read party planning book, Budget Bash – Simply Fabulous Events on a Budget.

Tropical Island Luau – An event theme complete with bars made from bamboo and palm leaves, tiki torches and an island-inspired menu served on a grass-skirted buffet. Tropical music and a hula dancer, coconut drinking cups for that special island punch and, of course, everyone is greeted at the door with a flower lei.

Invitations can be created using tropical-designed printed paper or another idea is to glue some sand or a small seashell or two onto stationary. So many variations of linen can be used including floral prints, tropical island prints or tropical birds. For a Tahitian event theme wedding I produced, to save money with our linen budget, we used plain gold linen and created napkins using a tropical island bird print to add color and reinforce the theme at the table.

Catering ideas to consider when planning events with a luau theme could include ingredients using coconut, macadamia nuts, tropical fruits such as mango, pineapple and bananas, fish such as lobster, shrimp or Mahi Mahi and sauces using such flavors as sweet and sour, soy, ginger and citrus.

For your tropical bar, don’t forget the classic Mai Tai, Blue Hawaiian and Pina Colada and be sure to include non-alcoholic beverages as well such as a tropical punch made with Gingerale or Sprite along with tropical juices such as banana, pineapple, mango and orange to name a few.

In my next blog, I will continue this discussion about themed party ideas to use when planning events. And don’t forget that the SAG Awards® is just a couple of weeks away on January 23rd. In the meantime, remember to keep in mind the Budget Bash mantra; make it simple, delicious, stylish, fun & economical to all!

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Douglas AdamsYes, I think I use the term “radical” rather loosely, just for emphasis. If you describe yourself as “atheist,” some people will say, “Don’t you mean ‘agnostic’?” I have to reply that I really do mean atheist, I really do not believe that there is a god; in fact, I am convinced that there is not a god (a subtle difference). I see not a shred of evidence to suggest that there is one … etc., etc. It’s easier to say that I am a radical atheist, just to signal that I really mean it, have thought about it a great deal, and that it’s an opinion I hold seriously.
– Douglas Adams, from an interview with American Atheists; quoted from Warren Allen Smith, editor, Celebrities in Hell (2002); excerpted by Positive Atheism (2007)

Far out in the uncharted backwaters of the unfashionable end of the Western Spiral arm of the Galaxy lies a small unregarded yellow sun. Orbiting this at a distance of roughly ninety-eight million miles is an utterly insignificant little blue-green planet whose ape-descended life forms are so amazingly primitive that they still think digital watches are a pretty neat idea.
– Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

Now it is such a bizarrely improbably coincidence that anything so mindbogglingly useful [the Babel fish] could have evolved by chance that some thinkers have chosen to see it as a final and clinching proof of the non-existence of God.
The argument goes something like this: “I refuse to prove that I exist,” says God, “for proof denies faith, and without faith I am nothing.”
“But,” says Man, “the Babel fish is a dead giveaway isn’t it? It could not have evolved by chance. It proves you exist, and so therefore, by your own arguments, you don’t. QED”
“Oh dear,” says God, “I hadn’t thought of that,” and promptly vanishes in a puff of logic.
– Douglas Adams, The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (book one of the Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series), p 50

A man didn’t understand how televisions work, and was convinced that there must be lots of little men inside the box, manipulating images at high speed. An engineer explained to him about high frequency modulations of the electromagnetic spectrum, about transmitters and receivers, about amplifiers and cathode ray tubes, about scan lines moving across and down a phosphorescent screen. The man listened to the engineer with careful attention, nodding his head at every step of the argument. At the end he pronounced himself satisfied. He really did now understand how televisions work. “But I expect there are just a few little men in there, aren’t there?”
– Douglas Adams, paraphrase of a parable spoofing modern creationism that Adams often told, as retold by Richard Dawkins in “Lament for Douglas” (14 May 2001)

The reason why so many sects hang around airports looking for converts: they know that people there are at their most vulnerable and perplexed, and ready to accept any kind of guidance.
– Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul (book two of the Dirk Gently series), p 5 (1988)

What god would be hanging around Terminal Two of Heathrow Airport trying to catch the 15:37 flight to Oslo?
– Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul (book two of the Dirk Gently series) (1988)

Even the sceptical mind must be prepared to accept the unacceptable when there is no alternative. If it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, we have at least to consider the possibility that we have a small aquatic bird of the family Anatidae on our hands.
– Douglas Adams, Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency (book one of the Dirk Gently series), p 216

If on the other hand he went to pay his respects to The Door and it wasn’t there … what then?
The answer, of course, was very simple. He had a whole board of circuits for dealing with exactly this problem, in fact this was the very heart of his function. He would continue to believe in it whatever the facts turned out to be, what else was the meaning of belief? The Door would still be there, even if the Door was not.
– Douglas Adams, Dirk Gently: Holistic Detective Agency

In the beginning, the universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry, and is generally considered to have been a bad move.
– Douglas Adams, The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

I don’t go to mythical places with strange men.
– Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul (1988), quoted from Encarta Book of Quotations (1999)

Isn’t it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?
– Douglas Adams, from Last Chance To See (“a great boo

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Mauritius Holiday In The West

Being one of the world’s best tourist destinations, Mauritius can be readily accessed through several airlines servicing the area.  A Mauritius holiday in the west is as inviting as spending a day in the beach.  Going to the western part of Mauritius has its own charm and unique features to offer any tourist who will visit the area.

The colored earths of Chamarel is one thing that tourists should not miss when going west of Mauritius.  It is a marvelous landscape of different and contrasting shades of colors.  A winding road leads from Case Noyal village to Chamarel.  These different shades of red, green, blue and yellow are apparently the outcome of volcanic ash erosion.  The earths are particularly unusual, as well, as they form beautiful patterns of color in the exposed hillsides.  And even if you take a handful of each color and mix them together, they will eventually settle into separate layers divided by their individual colors.

Then, not very far from the wonderful colored earths of Chamarel, one of the most amazing waterfalls can be spotted cascading hundreds and hundreds of feet down the side of a cliff.  A few eating areas have been created in the Chamarel village where visitors can enjoy the taste of delectable Mauritian cuisine.

Also located in the west is the Martello Towers which represents the scene of the ancient rivalry between the ingenuity of mankind and old colonial powers.  Being a milestone in the history of the island, the Martello Towers symbolize when slavery ended and Indian immigration began.

And due to the exceptional high level of sunshine that the district of Tamarin gets, several salt pans can be seen there, naturally making the area the heart of salt production.

Further, situated in the Rivière Noire district, a bird park stretching over 25 hectares contains more than 140 bird species from five continents.  Other animal and plant species can also be seen, such as monkeys, fish, tigers, tortoises and orchids.

Lastly, the Yemen Reserve will allow anyone to get close to herds of deer. Several magnificent species of Mauritian fauna can also be found in the reserve.

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Leisurely golden wood lacquer

   Ming Huang Wanli tick dragon and phoenix disc recent period, the wooden lacquer ware is more favored in the antiques market. But in the past people’s understanding of China’s ancient wooden lacquerware, almost alone who remain in the Ming and Qing furniture, for little is known about other forms of wood lacquer. In fact, a long history of wood lacquer, it is not just limited to a wide range of furniture. Archaeological discovery, early in the Liuqiqiannian Hemudu culture before the era of our ancestors has been able to create a lacquer bowl, then three more in the North-South Liangzhu culture (Zhejiang) and the Lower Xiajiadian culture (Liaoning) in ruins, discover the first People are made of lacquer. To the Shang Dynasty, people have started to paint liquid braced colored pigments, and, in lacquer and inlaid turquoise on a gold paste, this approach opened the Han and Tang Dynasties, “gold and silver justify” art precedent.

   In the Shang period before the color to vermilion lacquer mainly from the Western Zhou Dynasty began to have the Black Lands, after the Spring and Autumn can be modulated Although it has been red, yellow, white, purple, brown, blue and other colors, but the basic tone lacquer is still almost full “Zhu painting its internal”, “ink dye away from it,” characteristics of the times is still very strong. Black has a sense of silence, the red is tempting breathtaking. As the College of Arts and a professor said: “These two colors represent the two poles of this period, these two kinds of artists painted a bold color utensils used in the 1 to make it in strong contrast to constitute a hierarchy changes in the formation of stylized decorative style and charm. give viewers a sense of mind glow. two kinds of colors, a cold a warm, a quiet one move, and white with not only reflects the unique aesthetic concept of the Chinese people, but also Lacquer has a song so elegant, simple, dignified taste.

   Wood lacquer collection at a high price from the market’s performance, value-added in the future. “In the wood lacquer collection has a certain achievements of Mr. Sun is very careful to us about the types of wooden lacquer ware. Wooden lacquer ware with a light, strong, acid, heat, corrosion resistance, appearance may change according to the use flexibility to good quality. So it widely used, many different types, but a few years ago why few people interested, more to the sensation in the Ming and Qing furniture? The reason is representative of the Ming and Qing furniture, lacquer ware of the highest level. He also told reporters that the value of collection must be optimistic about the trend. Wood Lacquer in today’s Tibetan community and the auction market, all have rising trend. lacquerware has a long history of China’s wood, craft exquisite, different eras have different styles. lacquerware, and wood in ancient China had combined into one.

   Jane slips from the Han language, we can know that “lacquer” also called “wood” in the Eastern Zhou period, Chu production of wooden furniture, are exquisitely painted, and therefore said lacquer, also known as wood. Jing Wei difficult to separate. It is graphically embodies the lifestyle of an era and aesthetic taste. Antique Market in Beijing, a favorite painter of lacquer collections, said his favorite collection Jiangling, Hubei, Hunan, Changsha, Xinyang, Henan and other places of the lacquer ware, lacquer ware wood in these areas has always been beautifully produced. He said: “The wooden lacquer ware in decorative ornamentation on the coexistence of tradition and innovation, such as dragon and phoenix, birds, clouds Lei, triangle, diamond, etc., on the one hand reflect the current social life, it also reflects the aesthetic taste of the right of everyone to the pursuit of these on today’s art is still very much inspired by the role. ”

   Historically speaking, when the Yuan Dynasty in Jiaxing is nationally renowned for producing one of the lacquer, it is known the world tick red device. Appeared in an opposite direction of gold and silver lacquer masters Peng jun Bao, carving masters Zhang, Yang Mao and others. Zhang left work, hidden in the National Palace Museum, the “tick red disc Gardenia pattern,” “red circle landscapes tick box” and so on; and Anhui Museum of tick rhino round boxes, carved France rounded, abundant charm, be called for in the Yuan Dynasty in the fine handed down tick rhino representative. An auctioneer in an interview said: “The Qing Dynasty lacquer ware, a delicate workmanship, two relatively easy to get three low bid price, of course, this is also, and the pre-Qin Qin and Han lacquer or comparison, so it has a certain value-added potential. “He also pointed out that the Qing Dynasty lacquer ware in the market to the south of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, most works have been welcomed.

   In the history of lacquer ware in these areas is very much the people favor. When Emperor Qianlong “Suzhou government records,” is so described in Suzhou lacquer “has back light, Mingguang, tick red, tick black, Cai Qi variety of produce are very beautiful.” The Yangzhou most prestigious “100 Po embedded lacquer” is founded in the Ming Zhou Zhu, he used gold, silver, precious stones, pearls, coral and other precious materials, wood and lacquer ware inlaid by Diaolou create lifelike landscapes, animals and birds such as pattern, very popular at that time. Later I went to the Qing Dynasty, skills be further developed. Jiaxing, Zhejiang, gold and silver lacquer with an opposite direction of the most prestigious; Fujian, Fuzhou, Zhangzhou and other places of bodiless lacquerware also drew much favor; Guangdong lacquer is very careful choice of materials, solid and durable objects. Antique wooden lacquer ware in the market, is becoming a popular collection by others. Last year, the Guardian spring auction for the first time the lacquer as a special introduction of the turnover rate of 86.7% achieved good results. Which pieces of red chrysanthemum pattern Ming Yuan Xuande tick boxes, to 385,000 yuan were sold by domestic collectors walking; another Ming Wanli black lacquer inlaid with mother-peony poem embedded in the case, because the unique style, has been insightful to 462,000 yuan the price of purchase. Can be seen that the unique artistic charm of lacquer has been on the market has held up quite well.

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Cardigan – Ceredigion, Where To Go And What To See

Wonderful scenery, nearby forests and scenic mountain walks and bike trails mark the highlights of Cardigan – Ceredigion. Cardigan is the bustling market town located on Pembrokeshire Peninsula. The town sits just above Cardigan Bay where dolphins, one of just two colonies in the U. K. As well as the more common grey seals can be plainly seen from shore on a daily basis. Even if the dolphins are shy, the spectacular sunset over the sea is not.

In recognition of the quality of Ceredigion’s beaches, they are annual recipients of awards for cleanliness and superior water quality without development which that could risk their pristine nature or endanger local wildlife.

The cove at Cardigan Bay is hosts a variety of pastimes including all types of surfing, canoeing, and sailing. Ceredigion also boasts scenic hiking, mountain biking and cycling routes as well as prime fishing in Cardigan Bay, rivers, lakes and fisheries.

Whether one stays in a quaint farmhouse, a country estate, a comfortable bed and breakfast or a campsite by the sea, Cardigan offers excellent accommodations all year round. Enjoy the slower pace of life with natural beaches, walking paths and spectacular wildlife. The ancient past and today’s modern commerce exist side by side in this town of castles and computers.

Cardigan is a fabulous place to stay, perfectly positioned above Cardigan Bay and the Teifi Valley. Whether it is an action packed itinerary or relaxing getaway, it provides a busy downtown, a variety of accommodations, and great restaurants. This town has it all. From coastal beaches and walking trails, to cycling, fishing, Sea Kayaking and Coasteering, this area boasts something for everyone.

Cardigan Bay hosts an amazing richness of wildlife in addition to the ever popular dolphins. Reef, sandbank and sea caves are home to many unique species, from the most primitive, the sea lamprey to the wonderfully playful grey seals. The areas bountiful bird life can be seen everywhere from the coastal gulls to the inland birds of prey.

Throughout the year, there are many interesting and entertaining festivals happening in Cardigan. In addition to festivals, there are cycling and walking tours, Farm and garden shows and a multitude of art shows and theater performances. The national shrine of the Roman Catholic Church in Wales, Our Lady of the Taper is located here, and is where the Welsh language and culture are preserved.

Visitors to Cardigan – Ceredigion enjoy beautiful scenery, spectacular nature reserves, dramatic cliffs, and a clear blue sea. Do not waste another minute and book a flight to Western Wales today.

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Ecotourism Villages – Nature at your Doorstep

Ecotourism simply means visiting pristine environs that are completely protected from human intervention. Ecotourism can boost awareness on environment and local cultures and enlighten people on ecological systems, besides funding conservation programmes.

It can also make the visitors gain a better idea on the importance of protecting Earth’s natural beauty and biosphere for future generations. Ecotourism is the best way to minimize and even eradicate the threat or damage caused by tourism towards nature. Ecotourists have a greater responsibility than regular tourists while touring ecotourism-based destinations.

Today ecotourism plays a key role in tourism, drawing nature enthusiasts, researchers and students from all parts of the world. Ecotourism is just as popular in India where Kerala, a southern state, is ideal to explore nature at its best. This state boasts two national parks and 12 wildlife sanctuaries inviting you for countless encounters and adventures. With green carpeted mountains, rolling hills and evergreen forests that sprawls over 9000 square kilometres, Kerala is indeed rich in biodiversity.

The state of Kerala in India boasts of several ecotourism centres. These centres include Agasthyavanam Biological Park, Arippa, Konni, Thenmala, Kumarakom, Pamba and Mangalavanam to name but a few. Agasthyavanam Park and Arippa are ideal places for trekking and bird watching. Konni will take your breath away when you encounter the untameable giants on earth, the wild elephants, being tamed and trained. Mangalavanam is a birders’ haven as it is a nesting area for migratory birds.

Conversely Thenmala is the trailblazer of Indian ecotourism. It is a small village that sits about 72 kilometres off Thiruvanandapuram, Kerala’s capital, tucked away in the foothills of the Western Ghat Mountains. Awaiting you at Thenmala are leisurely adventures at the tea and rubber plantations. You can also observe timber of all types, exported from all corners of India.

Kerala State also boasts of ecotourism villages; the best example is Kumbalangi Ecotourism Village. This village is said to be India’s first model tourism village that lets the visitors experience the bliss of nature at its best. You can observe and learn more about backwater and mangrove ecosystems at Kumbalangi. The comfy heritage houses complemented with delicious local delicacies will take you right into the heart of Kerala culture. While you are there, don’t forget to check out coir production and fishing methods, among others. Brace yourself for a pleasant surprise when you encounter the Chinese fishing nets here.

If you are looking forward to a holiday of ecotourism and a natural retreat that wraps you in mystifying wonders and magical moments, why not try Kerala? You can spend your nights at one of the cosy hotels in Kovalam and start exploring ecologically enriched sites. A few minutes drive from the Trivandrum International Airport, you can reach The Leela Kempinski Kovalam Beach, Kerala, known as one of the biggest beach resorts in Kerala. Wrapped in striking vistas mingling green and blue shades, this is one of the best Kovalam hotels to relish your Kerala holiday.

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Going To A Safari In South Africa

South Africa continues to enjoy the tremendous goodwill of holidaymakers worldwide. While travel to most long haul destinations declined last year, this country experienced an enviable 6.5% growth, according to the World Tourism Organisation. The growth was jump started by the transformation heralded by the demise of apartheid and onset of democratic rule in 1994. Apartheid polices of racial discrimination protected by law greatly offended enlightened opinion in many parts of the world. And the enemies of these policies launched a very effective campaign against visiting South Africa. So it came to be that South Africa, a truly superior destination by any standards, remained hidden to many until the dark cloud of apartheid blew over.

The wildlife safari is a key item on the South Africa tourist menu. Those who chose to see Africa’s wildlife here will not be disappointed. The game viewing experience is excellent at the top rated Kruger National Park and at other well-regarded game parks in the country. Wildlife is protected in over 300 public and private game and nature reserves. SANParks (South African National Parks) manages 20 national parks spread throughout the country.

Kruger is the place to see big game particularly the “big five” of buffalo, elephant, lion, leopard and rhinoceros. Most of the other parks have specialised in conserving particular species or are identified with specific animals. The Greater Addo National Park, for example, is the only place you find elephants in the Cape region. Some of the parks along the 3000 km coastline host whales and dolphins.

South Africa’s wildlife conservation policies are advanced and highly successful. An initiative targeting wildlife sanctuaries cutting across international boundaries hopes to replicate this success elsewhere. This is in recognition of the fact that wildlife is no respecter of territorial lines covenanted between men. Transfrontier conservation areas have been identified in six regions along the boundaries with Lesotho, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana and Mozambique.

In South Africa, the best places to see wildlife is at private game reserves and national parks. Private game reserves are not as expansive as the publicly owned national parks. Their key selling point is the superior accommodation and ranger escorted personalized tours. The national parks on the other hand are popular with self-drive tourists. They offer accommodation in a limited number of enclosed rest-camps, in thatched rondavels, bungalows and chalets. Tour companies also offer packages, including transport and guide in the national parks. See our South Africa Tours page to view info and book one of our package safari offers.

South Africa is home to numerous species of land animals, including the celebrated “big five” – rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard and elephant. Most members of the big five league are undoubtedly charismatic. But this is not the reason they are so named – otherwise I would petition that the buffalo be ejected. The reason is that these are the animals the early safari hunters found most challenging. The idea of viewing game without killing had not gained widespread acceptance then. The arrogant practice of killing animals as a sport is very unpopular today with those who value the right to life and dignity of animals as full members of our planet.

In addition to the disagreeable aesthetics, hunting brings about a bad relationship between man and the animals. I will illustrate this with an incident narrated to me by a guide on a recent visit to a country (not South Africa) that allows hunting. The guide recalled an occasion when he was taken by surprise to see an elephant charging at his vehicle. This was contrary to his experience with elephants in that region. This unusual behaviour arose because hunters had wounded the elephant. The elephant hereafter dealt with vehicles and humans as enemies. It is regrettable that South Africa’s otherwise stellar conservation policies, allow the practice of hunting in certain areas.

Game viewing is usually done from the comfort of a vehicle but walking, horseback, camel and canoeing safaris are increasingly becoming popular. If you wish to view game in any of these modes, it is required that you be accompanied by an armed ranger. Full blood adventure types think that watching game aboard a vehicle is for wimps. Walking safaris are designed for such hardy souls. And it is the reason that the thoughtful folks at SANParks maintain a network of wilderness trails in the parks. The typical walking safari will have a maximum of eight persons with ages ranging from 12 to 60 years and last for 2 nights and 3 days. Participants must obviously be physically fit.

Without doubt, the best place to see wildlife, especially the “big five” is Kruger National Park. This is the flagship of South Africa’s national parks. The Kruger was created in 1898 and owes its existence to the vision of Paul Kruger at one time president of the Transvaal Republic that later became part of the Union of South Africa. He was ahead of his time in recognizing the need to create a sanctuary to preserve and protect wildlife. Even at that time it was clear that the hunter with his rifle would soon annihilate all the animals.

Kruger offers a diversity of animals unrivalled anywhere else in South Africa. In addition to the big five, some of the interesting game you find here include – hippo, jackal, giraffe, zebra, buffalo, warthog, numerous antelope species, cheetah, wild dog and spotted hyena. The park is home to more than 140 mammal and 500 bird species. Kruger spreads over nearly 20, 000 sq km of unspoilt scrubland punctuated by acacia and mopane trees. The botanic biodiversity is vast and over 336 tree species are found here.

Accommodation within Kruger is provided at self-catering rest camps that offer good but basic lodging. There are also some smaller bush lodges and bushveld camps offering more luxurious stay. Accommodation ranges from rondavel huts and safari tents to family bungalows and cottages and luxury guesthouses. In addition, there are caravan and tent camping sites at some of the rest camps. Most of the camps are supplied with electric power and telephone. Other facilities include shops, kitchen facilities, restaurants and petrol stations.

Kruger has 3,000 kilometers of a well-maintained road network and is ideal for those seeking a self-drive experience. The park is relatively inexpensive and easily accessible. It is therefore hugely popular and draws over 600,000 visitors annually. It in particular gets very crowded over the school holidays in July and December. Since there are a maximum number of vehicles allowed into the park daily, you are well advised to make advance arrangements if you plan to visit then. Game viewing is good year round, but the best time will be from April to September when the bush is sparse.

Kruger is located 330 km to the northeast of Johannesburg. If you have no stomach for a long drive, take one of the daily flights from Johannesburg to Phalaborwa Airport, Hoedspruit Airport or Kruger/Mpumalanga International Airport. If you wish to rent a car at either Durban or Johannesburg, visit our South Africa Car Rental page for your reservation. Towards the western and southern sides of Kruger National Park, there are a number of highly rated private game reserves. This includes Sabi Sand, Mala Mala, Londolozi and Timbavati game reserves. Here you will find some of the finest game lodges in Africa.

The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is another unique game sanctuary. This huge park is a combination of the two parks -the former Gemsbok National Park in Botswana and Kalahari Gemsbok National Park in South Africa. Covering over 36,000 sq km, it is one of the biggest wildlife conservation areas anywhere in the world. The landscape is marked by red sand dunes and sparse thornbush vegetation. The environment of this park provides outstanding opportunities for unforgettable wildlife photos.

This park is host to the famous black-maned Kalahari lions. You will also see gemsbok, springbok, eland, blue wildebeest, cheetahs, wild dogs, jackals, bat-eared foxes and leopards. Birding is also excellent and of 297 species recorded, 96 are resident. The Kgalagadi is not for the fainthearted -it is far from anywhere and getting there is a slog. It is located 904 km to the west of Johannesburg. All accommodation in the park is managed by SANParks. You will get the best experience if you visit between June and July when the weather is coolest.

On safari, remember to carry a pair of binoculars to help you spot animals. Also carry a camera and other equipment as a means of recording your safari. It is the only way to shut up those who doubt the story of your encounter with the African wildlife. Carry along a decent pair sunglasses to shield you from glare, especially if you travel to the semi desert Kgalagadi. Dressing well means cool clothing (such as light cottons and linen) for summer and warm for winter.

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