Archive for October, 2010

Cocoa Beach has got to be one of the best Florida beaches of all; there is so much to do in such a small area, you see, Cocoa Beach is only 15 square miles and ten of that is water. When I am asked “What’s so great about Cocoa Beach?” Many things spring to mind; there’s Ron Jon’s, unique clothing and souvenir shops, many restaurants, and a lot of family fun with two miniature golf courses, a go cart track and of course, the beach with a fantastic pier. It’s also great to be so close to so many other things to do, like in Orlando, but I what I really love is just the town it’s self.

The Pier, because it does extend so far into the water, is a great place to watch the surfers that flock to the area when the swells are going off. People surf with long boards and shorts boards they even have boogie boards they are all different. Some are beginners and some have been doing it for years, they all have their own style and are fascinating to watch. There are also all kinds of kids in the surf with skim boards trying to get the best ride they can off the shore surf, it’s awesome. The Cocoa Beach Pier was built in 1962 and is the focal point of Cocoa Beach. They have many shops there with specialty clothing, gifts and jewelry. When you enjoy a meal there you can either eat inside, under a covered area outside or head to the Tiki Bar at the end of the pier. No matter where you eat the view is spectacular you can watch the ocean or watch the people on the beach playing volleyball, building sandcastles or just baking in the sun. You can also watch the people fishing off the pier as they try to reel in their latest catch.

As you might have guessed tourism is a major industry in Cocoa Beach and one of the biggest draws here is Ron Jon’s Surf Shop. Its open 24 hours and gets over 2 million visitors a year, it is also home to the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame. Cocoa Beach is the small wave surf capital of the east coast, and hosts the Ron Jon Easter Surfing Festival which drew an estimated 50,000 visitors in 2009 and began in 1964. This all takes place around the Cocoa Beach Pier, I love the pier. We spent New Year’s Eve there this past year, we walked down the beach to it and rang in the New Year dancing 800 feet over the Atlantic Ocean, it was beautiful.

You know, Cocoa Beach is considered a retirement area, the average age is 54, but if you looked around you’d tend not to believe it because there’s always something to do. In the summer there are tourists on the beaches and in the shops and then in the fall is slows down a bit and gives all of us who live here year round a chance to catch our breath before our friends from the other parts of the country come to stay for the winter. After they all leave in the spring we gear up for summer and the whole cycle starts all over again.

Cocoa Beach started to come on the radar when in the 1960′s two things happened: One, NASA came to the area in the form of the Kennedy Space Center. One of the coolest things you will ever do is watch a rocket launch and there is no better place to be when one goes off than standing on the beach. There are no buildings to obstruct your view and on a clear day you think you can literally see them achieve orbit. If it’s a shuttle not only can you see and hear it but on the beach you can feel the sound of it go through you, it’s wild. There are only a few more shuttles scheduled to fly out and I’ll bet the beaches are going to be packed with people from all over the country. I know of several people who are planning special trips just to see them go. When you do plan a trip keep in mind the shuttle launch schedule changes so it’s best to keep checking it.

Two: A wildly popular little show called “I Dream of Jeannie”, tell me the theme song didn’t just start in your head, came on T.V. Although the only episode actually filmed in Cocoa Beach was the one where Jeannie gets married there were enough scenes that showed just enough of Cocoa Beach for people to want to know more about it. Another popular iconic thing in Cocoa Beach was a restaurant called the Moon Hut it was a popular hang out of the Astronauts back in the day, it’s a Mexican restaurant now but there’s still a lot of space memorabilia throughout the place.

There’s a lot of history and nature around Cocoa Beach, the Kennedy Space Center is just 15 miles north of town and we have the Canaveral National Seashore or the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge nearby, both are great places for a day of family fun in the great outdoors. We also have a store here that sells dinosaur and other fossils, it’s an interesting place to go and just look around.

For those of us who live here year round there is plenty to enjoy for instance every year part of Cocoa Beach is shut for the annual art festival which has been held since 1963. We have an air show that draws crowds estimated at 30,000 people and this year, for the first time, there was a boat race right off the Pier.

Here in Cocoa Beach we say “It’s all about the beach” and it is really but there’s a lot to do on land too, we invite you to come see and for yourself.

Myrtle Beach golf is one of the popular destinations in the US and people from all parts of the country come to this place irrespective of their social and economic disparities. It is located in the northern coastal region of South Carolina and it is symbolic for all golf lovers as one of the largest resort town. The primary reasons for it being so popular are because of its top class golf courses and packages for golf vacations. Some of the popular golf players are of the opinion that Myrtle Beach has some of the best golf courses in the world. Most of the courses for golf have been designed by pro golfers and are of high standards.

Among these golf courses in Myrtle Beach, the most popular is the TPC course, which was designed by world renowned golfer Tom Fazio. Tom Fazio’s main focus in building this golf course was to fit it perfectly with the natural landscape of the Myrtle Beach. Another popular golf course is the Dunes Golf Club, which is the most oldest and classiest in every way possible. It falls under Dunes Resort. There are special offers and discounts given on drinks and other special packages given to the players.

Aberdeen Country Club is another such spot which is worth mentioning because of its lucrative packages and the specialty being discounted rooms in its on-site hotel facility. Another prime destination that the golfers look out for is the Caledonia Golf course, which offers its guests with fishing facilities. One can also opt for deep sea fishing tours and other wide range of facilities.

Another place that you will not want to miss is the River Edge Golf course which is located on the bank of Shallotte River. This golf course was designed by well renowned golf player Arnold Palmer and it is one of the hotspots of Myrtle Beach because the golf course has some of the toughest and interesting holes in the area and it is interesting for the budding golfers of the future. It is among the top ten holiday destinations in the whole of US and there are numerous travel agencies which provide golf vacation packages which are simply irresistible. You will be provided with numerous packages and offers, but choose the one which suits your budget and preferences. But, if you want to spend some time with your close associates and family members then the weekend package is the most ideal one for you. Many of these courses have been featured in the PGA Tour and this is why Myrtle Beach is a premiere destination for golfing around the world.

People will always find a unique place to relax and unwind at some point in their lives. Some people opt a very silent place while others opt to go to the busy and crowded malls to shop. Personally, I find going to the beach relaxing but exciting at the same time.

There is just something about the beach that captivates my heart. Perhaps it’s because our city is abundant in beautiful beach spots. But what are really found in these beach resorts? Here are just some of them:

1. The Sea Itself – Breathtaking. It is in itself naturally amazing as it not only refreshes our body but also brings fun. Being able to float on water will always feel wonderful.

2 The Sand – This will always make you remember something. It can be your childhood when you have attempted or successfully made sand castles. It can also be your recent get-away with your honey when you wrote your names on the sand and took pictures of it.

3. Free Souvenirs – Souvenirs are found everywhere the beach. It can be that nearby unique seashell, or that hermit crab walking past your feet. You can even take home some sand if you like!

4. Happy People – It is almost rare to see someone sad at the beach. Everyone is happy! That is because everyone has a common goal — that is to relax! The beach will always be a great place to read magazines, write poems or watch the sunset.

5. Sports – While others prefer quiet and calm activities at the beach, some find doing sports more relaxing. The beach is suitable for playing games such as Frisbee, flying a kite, playing catch and surfing!

People may have different ways of relaxing but for me, the beach is the best place. There will always be an exciting, fun-filled, memorable experience at the beach for everyone!

Beach Camping – 7 Essentials to Bring on Your Tropical Camping Vacation

Are you thinking about taking a camping vacation in the Caribbean? Have you thought about all the things that you might need to bring in order to insure yourself some comfort while you are roughing it on the beach? Let me give you some tips about what to bring with you, things that you can pack in your checked baggage, that will help make camping on a tropical beach as fun and relaxing as possible. I collected this wisdom the hard way while camping in the BVI!

Things to Make Room For No Matter What (even if it means leaving that third pair of flip flops behind)

INSECT REPELLENT (and lots of it, don’t skimp)

Mosquitoes are everywhere in the Caribbean, even on your windy beach, and they can transmit Dengue, or hemorrhagic fever. I have used Off brand unscented pump spray (you can pack this in your check-in baggage since it is not an aerosol). I find it works very well on the beach to repel mosquitoes and sand flies.

Sand Flies

Sand flies are nasty pests that show up wherever there is sand. At the beach they can be much more of a nuisance than mosquitoes. Although I have found some herbal repellents that worked well enough for mosquitoes they didn’t repel the sand flies. Once you are bitten by a sand fly and start scratching the bite you will end up with a large red welt on your skin that stays for days and is uncomfortable and rather ugly.

Once you do get a sand fly bite, and you will know it is a sand fly bite because it will be bothering you long after you would have forgotten about a mosquito bite, you should use fresh aloe vera from a freshly cut aloe spear on the bite and it will heal almost magically. Make sure you use that bitter smelling, syrupy yellow liquid that seeps out of the freshly cut aloe leaf along with the aloe itself because the yellow stuff has strong healing properties.

ALOE VERA

Bring some aloe in a tube in case you can’t find any fresh aloe growing near your beach or campground. You may have to ask somebody local if perhaps they might have some in their garden and could you maybe have a leaf. If not, try the packaged aloe. It may help a little. Also can be used for sunburn, of course! Aloe vera is the best remedy for all types of skin problems.

SUNBLOCK

Bring plenty of high SPF sunblock. Get waterproof, not water-resistant sunblock if you are a swimmer.

WATER FILTER

No matter what people say, don’t drink the water unless you are prepared to get sick while you are camping. That’s no fun! When filtering water to drink use only water that is provided by the local water authority i.e. water that is piped in from a water treatment facility; or, fresh, moving water from a clean stream or lake. Don’t attempt to filter drinking water from a cistern unless you have proof that the cistern is very clean.

Many houses in the tropics, and possibly the bathroom or shower facility at your campground, have a cistern underneath that collects water from the roof, eaves and gutters. This water can collect for days and become quite filthy if the cistern is not properly maintained. It should only be used for showering with your mouth closed, or washing clothes and dishes. Even if you have to buy bottled water or boil all of your drinking water, it will be worth it to stay healthy.

PROPANE CAMPING STOVE

You may be thinking that because you will be on the beach that campfires will be the best way to go. You can’t assume that you will be able to build a fire to cook over. On the beach with other campers around, wood can become scarce. Plus, too many campfires burning at once in the campground can create air pollution. If it rains, unless you are good at building fires, you won’t be able to get one going if all of the wood is wet. Make sure your stove uses common, easy to find size propane bottles. You can’t bring propane with you on the plane!

TARPS

Bring as many heavy sheets of plastic (or better yet, poly tarps with grommets) as you can fit in your bags. Don’t forget a roll or two of med weight cord as well. Tarps are worth their weight in gold when the wind and rain start blowing. You should anticipate and be prepared for rain even if is the dry season, and feel very lucky if you manage to avoid rain. Use tarps under your tent, as extra rain coats for your tent, and tied up between trees as windbreaks or cover for your cooking area or campfire.

WIND BLOCKING JACKET AND PANTS

If you get a prolonged (try 3-4 days!) windstorm you will be miserable without some wind gear. Many rain suits are both water and wind proof. Even a tropical beach can feel cold and exposed. Bring all of these items on your tropical beach camping vacation and you will be warmer, dryer, happier, and more relaxed no matter what the weather!

Miami Beach is located between Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. It is linked to Miami by four paved highways. Miami Beach receives a major part of its income from tourism. In order to cater to the continuous inflow of tourists, the city is well connected to a number of airports. When traveling to Miami Beach, air travel is a popular option because of the numerous fair deal flights and the frequency of air traffic.

The closest airport to Miami Beach is the Miami International Airport, which is located just 9.5 kilometers from the city. Incidentally, it is the third busiest airport in America. The airport caters to more than 100 airlines that connect nearly 150 cities to Miami. On a regular day, the airport caters to an average of 100,000 tourists. The airport has one primary terminal building with eight concourses. They are labeled from A-H and all of them accommodate the inbound and outbound flights. In spite of this, the airport is easy to access because of the efficient management. Even the passengers in transit can visit Miami Beach. The beach is at a distance of twenty minutes from the airport.

There are four other airports close to Miami Beach. The Fort Lauderdale International Airport is at 19.3 kilometers from the Miami Airport and the West Palm Beach International Airport is at 61.8 kilometers. These airports are well equipped and are an enjoyable stopover. In case of a delay or spare time between flights, tourists enjoy visiting and indulging in the restaurants, lounges, coffee shops and duty free shops. It is important to inquire about the currency acceptable before placing an order or making a purchase. The airports authorities adhere to the international security measures and have a number of help desks, multiple ATMs and quick currency exchanges.

Loggerhead sea turtles come ashore Folly Beach, SC to lay their eggs between May and October. Despite popular belief, the females only nest every two or three years, and during their nesting season they can lay anywhere from two to five separate batches of eggs. Each of these batches, or nests, usually contains about 100 eggs which incubate for approximately 45 to 60 days. And, scientists think that they lay their eggs on the same beach they were born, but this topic is still up for debate. Scientists have found that only about 1 out of every 1000 hatchlings will survive until his or her time to reproduce many years later.

Many beaches in Charleston and other coastal cities have sea turtle protection programs that help to improve this staggering statistic. In Folly Beach, the program is called the Folly Beach Turtle Watch Program. Their group is made up of volunteers who walk the beach every morning during nesting season between 5:30 and 7:00 AM in search of turtle activity. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources has licensed this non-commercial group, and DNR oversees the group in order to help keep the turtles safe and undisturbed.

Many residents and visitors of Folly Beach ask what they can do to help the sea turtles. We’ve collected some information from the group’s website (www.follyturtles.com) so that you can do your part to help the turtles.

1) If you see signs of sea turtle activity (their footprints look like tractor tire imprints), please call the Folly Beach Public Safety dispatcher at (843) 588-2433. If you’re near the dunes where they lay their eggs, be careful to not walk on a potential nest site. When you call the dispatcher, look at your surroundings so that you can give an accurate description of your location on the beach. Note what houses are closest to you, and look to see if there are any beach accesses nearby. The dispatcher will then contact one of the Crew members to check out the area.

2) If you live or vacation near the beach, be sure to turn off your floodlights and porch lights. Also, if you’re on the beachfront, close your curtains at night so that the light coming from inside your house doesn’t disturb the turtles. When the adult females come on shore to lay their eggs (and when the hatchlings try to make their way to the ocean), they use the light of the moon to find their way. Artificial lights from houses can easily disorient them, and they can quickly become lost. Many turtles wandering on the beach can die from dehydration or fall victim to hungry birds.

3) Sometimes dogs or other animals dig up a sea turtle’s nest. Like many sea turtle protection programs, the Folly Beach Turtle Watch Program clearly marks identified nests with an orange sign and tape. If you notice that a nest has been disturbed, please call the Folly Beach Public Safety dispatcher.

4) Pick up trash on the beach. Sea turtles (and other marine animals) can become entangled in fishing line and bags, and they can mistake our trash as food. Plastics can especially be harmful, so be sure to pick up trash like bottles, firework remnants, bags and fishing line.

5) Remove potential obstacles from the beach at the end of the day. If you have dug any large play holes in the sand, please fill them back in with sand after you or the kids have had your fun. Also, take chairs and beach toys off the beach at the end of the day. Hatchlings are only about two inches long, so they can easily become trapped as they make their way to the ocean.

It is a very long way for a hatchling to travel from the dunes of the beach to the Gulf Stream. Although many of the obstacles they face are completely natural, people are also partly to blame for the species’ struggle. Because loggerhead sea turtles are on the Endangered Species List, state and federal laws protect them. However, it is our responsibility to help the species survive.

Myrtle Beach represents luxury, golf and tourism on a grand scale. Relocate to Myrtle Beach and you can expect to have a good time.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is a city located in Horry County, and it is directly on the shoreline of the East Coast. Bordering on the Atlantic Ocean, this city of 22,759 has a main industry of tourism, due to its perfect location and many attractions. Those who choose to relocate to Myrtle Beach, SC often do so for the job opportunities and the beautiful surroundings – but not many stay in the area. Myrtle Beach has a significantly lower than average length of stay for those who choose to relocate here.

The median age of the residents of Myrtle Beach is 36.9 years, and 49.3% of the population is female (50.7% male). The median yearly household income is $35,498, with the average cost of purchasing a house here in Myrtle Beach being $135,400. Many families and other residents also choose the option of renting their homes here, as the population turnover in the city is quite large. The average monthly charge for housing rental is $576.

The racial makeup of the area should not affect your choice to relocate to Myrtle Beach, SC – because it is very near the country’s average. 79.2% of the city’s population designates itself as white/non-Hispanic, and 12.8% states it is Black (which is above South Carolina’s average percentage). 4.7% of Myrtle Beach is Hispanic, and the rest of the population states that it is either of mixed race or “other”. When looking at the educational status of the adult population of Myrtle Beach, 22.9% of the population holds a Bachelor’s Degree or higher, and 85% have a high school diploma. The unemployment rate in the city is 4.4%.

The nearest city of size to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is Wilmington, which is over 75 miles away. The crime rate in Myrtle Beach is extremely high – much higher than any other city of this size in the vicinity. On a scale which rates the average crime index score of the United States at 325.2, this small city of just over 22,000 people rates a whopping 1722.6 (around 6 times the country’s average). Most of these crimes happened in the theft and assault categories. 10.2% of the city’s population has left the area in recent years.

The climate in South Carolina is considered to be one of the biggest drawing points of the state, and this is especially so in Myrtle Beach, which is on the ocean. The temperatures here are mild compared to much of the US, with both highs and lows above the national average. Highs reach to above 90ºF in the summers here, but the lows only dip to around 40ºF, above the country’s average lows of 20ºF to 30ºF.

Folding beach chairs are a special type of portable furniture designed for beachside relaxing. They are used around swimming pools for relaxation. Folding beach chairs have become a fashionable piece of furniture and can be found in homes and business organizations. Major advantage of a folding beach chair is its practicality.

Folding beach chairs are ideal for beach picnics, soccer or any outdoor activity. It fits into any type of vehicle and is ideal for vacations. Folding beach chairs are made of wood, plastic or steel with marine grade fabrics and finishes. Today, they come in several varieties to satisfy the varying needs of a vacationer and beach enthusiasts. Most chairs have armrests with drink holder, saltwater resistant finish, removable footrest, and a detachable pillow headrest. They fold and can be stored easily.

A wide range of folding beach chairs of varying sizes and shapes in both traditional and modern designs is available in the market. Most of them are equipped with rainproof covers and sunshades, arm and footrests, and storage space below the seats. Some folding beach chairs incorporate beach accessories such as umbrellas, towels, and blankets. Crafted items in different styles and shapes are also very common.

There are several options for buying folding beach chairs. It can be purchased from any store that sells beach equipment or from the local discount store. It can be rented from beach chair keepers. Before buying folding beach chairs, make sure the seat can survive varying climate conditions. Comfort, compactness, lightweight, durability, and suitability are some of the main qualities that should be looked into before buying a folding beach chair. Check whether the seat can accommodate the weight of your body. Price varies on the basis of quality of the material used. Several folding beach chair manufacturers display and sell their product online.

Beach Themed Bridal Shower – From Paper Lanterns to Seashell Centerpieces

The planning and execution of a bridal shower is traditionally the responsibility of the maid-of-honor who is usually a close friend of the bride. Nowadays, brides have taken it upon themselves to plan their own showers. Whoever handles the planning is not important; the important thing is for the bridal shower to reflect the personality and style of the bride, i.e. her interests and hobbies, and for the shower to be an intimate and jovial setting for the bride bond with her female friends.

Beaches often arouse the carefree and fun-loving spirit in people and this is why incorporating a beach theme to a bridal shower makes for one of the most harmonious event-theme combination’s out there. A beach themed bridal shower need not be held in a beach; it could be celebrated and experienced in any open space or even indoors.

To start with, decorate the shower area with lots of beach elements or hints of the vibrancy and fun of the beach. Round paper lanterns is one idea a host can toy with. Choose sunny colors for the paper lanterns and hang them asymmetrically for a fun twist and vibe. If the bride happens to have a favorite color that she simply cannot do without, then a host can go all out and pick one color for the paper lanterns. The shower area can then take this as a cue to decorate the tables and chairs and wedding favors with hints of that favorite color.

If a bride, for example, is a fan of the colors ivory and shades of brown then complement ivory lanterns with latte and dark brown table cloths. Add elements of the beach, to stay true to the beach themed bridal shower, by sprawling sand on the tables as centerpieces. With the sand as the base, add personalized seashells that indicate the date of the shower and the name of the bride and groom and spice them up with starfishes and pretty beach rocks and trinkets. A host can make use of colored sands for a little zest and use silver trinkets of sea creatures and shells, available in bundles, to spray around the sand. Add a coconut candle on the sand or a shell-decorated candle holder for the perfect blend of lighting and decoration.

Serve beach themed cookies on the tables for added color and decor and bring out personalized champagne flutes and wine glasses placed atop flip flop coasters for brides who are into cocktails and wines. Cocktail shakers can be placed for guests to mix drinks with and a great idea if a mini bar is set up for this purpose. This can turn into a fun game for guests and the cocktail shakers can serve as party favors.

For brides who are into tea and coffee, provide tea sachets formed in pyramids with a leaf detailing on top and personalized labels and set them atop ceramic trays. Another alternative is to place a personalized tea bag on a porcelain teabag caddies and add silver, heart-shaped infusers to the side for your guests to indulge and delight in.

There are still hundreds of ways to mix and match beach-themed items to decorate and illuminate a beach themed bridal shower. A little diligence and imagination is all it takes to create that perfect blend.

Beach weddings are now becoming the most popular way to wed. Many couples are finding the simplicity of a beach wedding much easier on the wallet and much more romantic than a traditional church wedding. However, there are a few things to consider when planning a beach wedding to ensure everything goes without a hitch.

Firstly, you need to think about where you are going to get married. You need to pick a place where good weather is guaranteed. You also need to consider whether the actual ceremony will take place on the beach or whether you will go there after the vows for the reception meal. Note that when couples get married on the beach, there is often a great deal of wind. This makes any video footage very difficult to hear so bear this in mind.

Following on from the video footage, you may also wish to consider your photographs. In the heat of the midday sun, you may need to squint when the sun is strong. You may not notice it at the time, but imagine your disappointment when you see your photographs later and everyone is squinting or has their eyes shut. On this basis, it may be best to have your wedding in the early morning or late afternoon. The other benefit of this is that most beaches are public and will more than likely be full of holidaymakers in the middle of the day. If you marry in the early morning or afternoon the sunbathers will be minimized and so photograph backgrounds can be of the sea or sand rather than of holidaymakers.

When planning a beach wedding, you must also consider your outfits and your shoes in particular. High heels easily sink into the sand making it difficult to stand up if you are standing on soft sand. Also, if you are marrying in a hot location, consider elderly guests and children who may not respond well to excessive sunshine. Advise them to wear hats and/or loose fitting outfits that will keep them cool and covered from damaging effects of the sun. When choosing the bridal dress, be sure to avoid one that is too ‘floaty’ or one with a shoulder wrap. It is also a good idea to have a ‘hair up’ style. Otherwise, when the wind picks up on the shore, hair and clothes can flap about and get in the way of your face. Photographs can also be a bit disappointing if people are trying to brush hair from their eyes or constantly repositioning wraps and capes.

When it comes to wedding reception table style, there are so many ways in which a beach themed wedding can be achieved successfully. Shells always make a fantastic vehicle for getting the beach effect into your special day. Place cards and place card holders can include shells, chocolate sea shells can be used to decorate the cake, you could give seashells in organza bags as favours or provide guests with Personalised Beach Theme Mint Tins.

If you are striving to create a modern feel, why not present guests with stripy sticks of rock? These are always a great talking point for guests and give people a chance to reminisce on their childhood beach holidays. Flip Flop Floating Candle favours give guests something they can keep and provide reception tables with a splash of bright colour.

So, proving you consider all options carefully, beach weddings can be absolutely perfect. Remember to consider the time of day when you marry and the time of year. A perfect day starts with the perfect weather so try to pick somewhere when sunshine is pretty much guaranteed. You also need to think carefully about the outfits of the bridal party and the shoes in particular. Heads and shoulders should be covered where possible.

The best way to minimize beach wedding problems, is to have a quick ceremony on the beach. Then, take the reception off the beach to a hotel or marquee. This way, weather is not going to affect your day. Also, it gives another location for photographs in case those on the beach are over exposed due to excessive light. Equally, you do not have to worry about food being spoiled by blowing sand or excessive heat.

If you really want to cheat, don’t go to the beach at all – bring the beach to you! Why not set your reception venue up like a beach? There are many ways this can do done so that guests have the illusion of being by the seaside. This way, you are guaranteed a perfect day that none of nature’s elements can spoil!