nongraffy

We know that in their present form, cars don’t do wonders for the planet. If you are going to use your car to get about, there are a number of things you can do to be a greener driver. It’s all about increasing your fuel economy – about using your fuel as sparingly as possible and making a tank last as long as possible before it needs a refill.

1. Avoid revving up and stopping suddenly. Accelerate and brake gradually as this releases fuel at a slower rate (and makes for a less stomach-churning ride).

2. Plan your journey so that it involves the quickest and most straightforward route. The less time it takes to reach your destination, the less fuel you’ll burn. And the fewer the twists and turns, stops at traffic lights and speed ramps the journey involves, the less you’ll have to stop and start your car and pump more C02 into the air. Get stuck into your map or plug in your Satellite Navigation system before you set off so that you don’t get lost and end up circling round looking for your destination.

3. Take your foot off the pedal when doing downhill. Let the car coast and it will emit less C02.

4. Stick to the speed limit. It’s second nature to go 5 or 10 miles per hour above the speed limit but if you can discipline yourself to keep the speedometer needle where it should be, you’ll cut down your emissions.

5. Switch your car off instead of idling. Idling burns more gas than restarting the engine so when you’re stuck in a gridlocked jam or queuing at the petrol station, turn the ignition key and cut the motor.

6. Pre-book parking. You’ve probably never thought twice about it but you’d be amazed at how much extra energy we burn as we drive round the block looking for a spot. Cumulatively, it all adds up and increases carbon emissions as well as your stress levels. So wherever possible, reserve a parking space close to your destination before you set off on your journey. Pre-booking parking through a service like ParkatmyHouse.com works especially well if you need to leave your car in the same specific location on a regular basis.

7. Travel light. The heavier the load, the more fuel is needed to move the car so clear the back-seat clutter and get the junk out of the trunk!

8. Remove roof racks when they aren’t being used. It’s a wind-resistance thing which saves energy.

9. Maintain your car. Having clean air filters and properly inflated tyres will help you burn less gas, pollute less, and prevent car trouble down the line.

10. Reduce air conditioning, open the windows and let the breeze do it’s thing on hot days.

There are many reasons for going to Las Vegas. For many it is an opportunity to enjoy a fantastic array of excess. You can endure excess drink, excess food and excess gambling in any combination you choose. Actually, the phenomenal choice of dining options is the main reason that many visit Vegas and no-one leaves disappointed - when it comes to dining anyway.

Las Vegas has so much more to offer its visitors than gambling. Gone are the days when gambling was the only income for the casinos or that they were the only businesses in town. Vegas has been revamping itself recently and slowly working towards changing its former, sometimes seedy, image.

Renowned for its shining lights and all too-often empty promises, Las Vegas also provides entertainment of world-class proportions and exhilaration to both its residents and visitors. With its variety, it is very difficult not too like it - but don't go there for a quite getaway.

We all need to eat and, without a doubt, Las Vegas has some of the best dining you'll find anywhere. As you would expect, a lot of the fantastic dining opportunities are associated with the casinos. Once a casino has you in its clutches it wants to keep you so there is no way they are going to let you leave the building to eat - you may not come back. They would not be the success they are if there was not a reason to keep the tables full.

People don't tend to eat where the food is bad and for a restaurant a bad review will travel around the world three times before ten good reviews will make it out of the city. For a restaurant, that means they really must earn their reputations to be able to bring business in and hence enable them to stay in business. This goes hand-in-hand with the reputation of the casino as a bad restaurant review can reflect on the casino that houses it.

Even though the casinos can offset pricing to keep gamblers in a casino, dining out can still be expensive so it is worth looking for bargains so that is what I wanted to concentrate on here. There is a great selection of amazing places to eat in Vegas that will not send you rushing to the ATM for extra cash. All you need to do is spend a little time looking around for the latest deals. Competition is so strong in Vegas that great deals are never far away. You will also save a few bucks by stepping back from the strip a block or two or even going downtown to the older northern end of the strip .

You should also be on the lookout for the various coupons that are handed out or left lying around in shops and hotels.

You will find that they offer deals such as two-for-one or or dollars-off entree prices. The coupon values may not seem like much on their own but if you can save $2 each on dinner for two and you are in Vegas for a week or even two, that soon adds up to saving between $28 and $56. You could then either save that money or use it to spend a little more time on the slot machines or even visit one of the many shows in town.

Do not be concerned that by looking for cheap meal options you will be getting poor quality food. OK, it might not be as elegant an experience as some options available but you may well find that in searching out for meal-deals you can discover better flavor than some of the more expensive dining experiences. Also, it's nice to escape buffet food which is the normal cheaper dining option. There are only so-many buffets you can take before they all taste the same.

The key is to think ahead and look around and listen. People can tell you a lot about what's been a good or bad dining experience for them.

Las Vegas is known for many things and its spectacular shows is one of them. Trouble is, not all of them are what you would call “family-friendly”. That said, Las Vegas is a great place to take the family for a vacation and so it comforting to know that there are many shows that you can take in while you are there with your family.

Magic is always a family favorite and there is always something for kids of all ages – from 5 through 95. Someone that has carved out a home in Las Vegas since he first appeared in 1982 is Lance Burton. Lance performs at the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino from Tuesday through Saturday.

A native of Kentucky, Lance is a perfect family entertainer. As he goes through his captivating routine, he is always charming, polite and honest. Some acts may be able to keep that up for a few shows but you cannot survive over twenty years in Vegas if you are not truly sincere.

Burton started in Vegas as a specialty magic act with "Folies Bergere" at the Tropicana. He successfully performed a 12-minute act featuring white doves for nine years. In 1991 started a five-year run at the now obsolete Hacienda, where he headlined a 90-minute magic show until being lured away by the Monte Carlo.

Now nestled in his $27-million theater built for him by the Monte Carlo in 1996, Lance will be sure to be at the hotel until at least 2009.

Not everyone is a fan of magic and the idea of an evening out watching it would not excite them However, Vegas excels in offering choice. It is almost impossible to think of Vegas without thinking of The Rat Pack. Without a doubt, the best is the Tribute to Frank, Dean, Sammy and Joey shows at the Greek Isles Casino. There is no better way to see the Rat Pack again and relive the amazing songs and entertainment they provided.

Musical comedy is more popular than ever and The Rat Pack regularly draws near-capacity crowds eager to see a reasonably priced, high-quality Vegas show.

In the 1970s there was a European and world phenomenon called ABBA. At the Mandalay Bay Resort you can now relive that era via a love story built around 22 ABBA hits. Mamma Mia is a light musical that opened in 2003 and judging by the numbers that continue to flock to it – more than 1 million fans have attended performances at Mandalay Bay – it continues to be highly successful.

The Imperial Palace provides a great setting for its Legends in Concert and has done so for over twenty years since it was booked for a six week run. The first shows included only entertainers who were dead. Among them, Janis Joplin, Buddy Holly, Marilyn Monroe, John Lennon and Elvis Presley.

Eventually the cast expanded to living entertainers and today features tribute acts from Jimi Hendrix to Bobby Darin to the Righteous Brothers and Michael Jackson.

With impersonators to the stars this is not a lip-synching show but real singers and dancers impersonating the best - live. Unlike some of the other shows where you need to be five years and older, this show is enjoyable to children age 2 and over.

The Venetian is home to the unique world of the Blue Man Group. As you enter its Blue Man theater, you will immediately notice a universal dress code — crepe paper head bands (and plastic ponchos for those seated closest to the stage). The reasons why become clear soon enough.

Unless you have lived in a bubble for the last few years you will know that The Blue Men are three blue-skinned, black-clad performers. They become austere backgrounds when they pour bright, sparkling colored liquids over illuminated drums. When the artists pound on the drums energetically, the liquids shoot up and out in glowing showers of reds, yellows and purples. It is spectacular to see and hence a show not to be missed.

The MGM Grand is not to be over-shadowed in this quest for family fun. KA is a saga that follows the adventures of two Imperial Twins who become separated during a siege of their Far Eastern palace by evil warriors.

Except for an opening comment by an announcer setting up the story, there is absolutely no dialog in the 90-minute production but do not let that put you off. The shows fan base is international and one that includes many languages and the lack of dialog allows it to appeal to all nations.

Technology is the star of KA. With its floating stage that appears and disappears and transforms into a mountain, a beach, a palace and more.

The heartwarming voice Celine Dion can be heard at Caesars Palace along with spectacular effects, choreography and a live orchestra. Staring her show with her world-famous ballads, including “Power of Love,” “Its All Coming Back To Me Now” and “Because You Loved Me.” You will soon be in Celine heaven.

But her powerful voice is not the only thing that captures you. This stunning production, has fascinating and dream-like special effects, costumes and visuals to amaze everyone.

No matter what tastes and preferences you have, there is a show in Vegas that will entertain you and take your mind away from the ringing of the slot-machines for an hour or two.

If you have family with you on your Vegas excursion you owe it to them to escape to something that you can all enjoy together.

Traveling to South Africa on holiday and spending your money there please please take note of the following.

At the southernmost tip of the African continent, the Republic of South Africa (RZA) is flanked in the west by the Atlantic Ocean, in the south and east by the Indian Ocean, in the north by Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, and in the north-east by Mozambique and Swaziland.

South African Currency:
One Rand (R) = 100 cents (c).
Bank Notes: R200, R100, R50, R20, R10
Coins: R5, R2, R1, 50c 20c, 10c, 5c, 2c, & 1c.
Currency exchange rates are available at all banks, shopping centers as well as in daily newspapers. It is even possible to be sent to you via your cell-phone.

Currency Converter:

At Oanda.com on-line Foreign Exchange Travel Currency Converter you can compair.

Please note that the currency converter does not give the current exchange rate, thus it is advised to add ± 5 / 6 % on top of the calculated amount to get the actual amount in South Africa. The converter gives you the exact amount of the stock exchange and not the exchange rate. Bear in mind that different Foreign Exchange offices charge different percentages. In general we had good experience with Standard Bank South Africa.

Traveler's Cheques are generally accepted, assuming that the cheques are made out in a valid currency and can be exchanged at South African banks and foreign exchange offices. Many shops and hotels also accept traveler cheques. It is best to find out at your bank which traveler's cheques are acceptable in South Africa.

Credit Cards:

Euro master cards and other credit cards are valid in South Africa. Be aware that with Master cards you can withdraw a maximum of 1000 Dollars cash per week. We advise people to make sure that they have other possibilities to get hold of money if needed. Best is to get information from your bank.

VAT Refund (Value Added Tax - 14%):

Goods bought in South Africa exceeding R250 allow all tourists to receive a refund of the tax at the airport on their way out. It is advisable to plan an extra hour at the airport for tax refunds, and the best is to have the goods with their receipts ready for the controlling officer.

Gratuity:

Many waitresses are students who rely on tips to supplement their wages. We recommend a 10 % tip of the total sum for Taxi Drivers or Waitresses. A waitress generally does NOT receive a basic salary, and has to pay for any breakages occurring. The cleaning staff generally gets R10 off the waiters tip at the end of the evening. A lot of the students use that money to pay for their studies or help to pay for their families. Be aware that big groups at Restaurants might incur a 10% surcharge. In Town you will find people wanting to assist you with parking as well as watching your car. Please don't see this as pestering. The best is to ask for their name, thank him or her and tip him at the end of the night with R1 or R2.

General Safety Information

Crime in South Africa happens like everywhere in the world. South Africa's media exaggerates crime a lot in order to make people aware of looking after themselves and their goods. The best advice is to avoid walking at night and driving into areas that are unknown to you. Johannesburg is the place to be most careful.

Never accept any help from strangers at ATM's (Automated Teller Machines). Try to stand as close as possible to the machine to avoid strangers seeing your pin number. It is safest to never let your credit card out of your sight, especially in restaurants etc. In case of a lost or stolen card, report the theft as soon as possible at any police station and stop your card at your bank. We all know that these incidences happen all over the world not only in Cape Town.

The heart of South Africa's wine industry, Stellenbosch is a place of great beauty and culture that's steeped in South African tradition.

The Stellenbosch Wine Route is arguably the country's most famous, and the Stellenbosch Wine of Origin area includes 106 cellars - most of which are open to the public. Enjoy a long day's wine tasting, and wine buying and you'll sip more than our great South African wines - you'll taste our South African way of life.

This is a self-drive holiday suggestion with a rental car.

Day 1:
Stellenbosch and the Winelands
We visited Stellenbosch wine attractions that boasts more than 106 cellars within a 25 km radius! We could only manage 4 in one day. Learn more through a guided cellar tour. Stellenbosch's cultural heritage is unsurpassed and is depicted in local art galleries, antique shops and the Village Museum. The town has many examples of fine Cape Dutch architecture and it is perhaps more desirable to discover "Stellenbosch on Foot". Cycle routes, hiking trails and horse-trails are found in and around the town.

Day 2:
Paarl, Wellington, Tulbagh and Ceres
The town of Paarl, is just 38 km from Stellenbosch, lies cradled in the Berg River Valley. It is renowned for its illustrious past, its unrivalled natural beauty, flourishing wine and fruit industry and gracious architecture. The 11 km long Main Street is dotted with historic buildings, shops, restaurants and charming places of accommodation, and is where the head office of the wine industry, the KWV, is situated. Drive on to the village of Wellington (11 km) and over the Bainskloof Pass, that in the days of old, was the only gateway northwards to Tulbagh (57 km) and Ceres (63 km). Tulbagh is a beautiful town that was restored to its original splendour, following the great earthquake of 1969. Ceres is essentially a fruit-growing area.

Day 3:
Strand, Gordon's Bay and Hermanus
The coastal route along the R44 will take you all the way through to Hermanus (98 km), but spend some time on the endless stretches of beach at the Strand (22 km) or stop awhile in the scenic seaside town of Gordon's Bay (29 km), with its selection of gift and shell shops, its harbour cafés and sheltered beaches. Hermanus is a holiday mecca renowned for its whale watching, particularly between June and October.

Day 4:
In and Around Cape Town
Only 48 kilometres from Stellenbosch, along the R44 and the N1, is South Africa's oldest city, Cape Town, affectionately known as the Mother City. Founded in 1652 by Jan van Riebeeck, it is the parliamentary capital with a population of over 2 million. Some worthwhile places to visit are the pentagonal-shaped Castle, erected in 1666, the vibrant Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, the magnificent Two Oceans Aquarium, a trip in the cable car to the summit of Table Mountain and the bustling "flea market" at Greenmarket Square. Kirstenbosch, the National Botanical Gardens, stretches over 560 hectares.

Day 5:
Cape Peninsula Roundabout
The Cape Peninsula coastline is renowned for its expanse of pristine beaches, coves and tranquil bays, the best known being False Bay that forms a horseshoe from Cape Hangklip to Cape Point. The more scenic Peninsula drive is from Stellenbosch, along Strandfontein to Muizenberg from where you may continue your journey along the coastline to Simonstown (60 km), the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point (14 km). From here it's on to the spectacular beaches of Kommetjie (15 km). The drive over Chapman's Peak to Hout Bay (25 km) offers views of unsurpassed scenic splendour. Next stop is the World of Birds, with its more than 400 species.

Day 6:
Franschhoek, Worcester and Montagu
Drive along the scenic Helshoogte Pass to Franschhoek (35 km), a town renowned for its fine wine, exclusive restaurants and sidewalk cafés. The history of this French Huguenot settlement dates back to 1688 and its history can be viewed at the Huguenot Museum. From here, a 30 minute journey via the Franschhoek Pass brings you to Villiersdorp (33 km) and on to Worcester (47 km). Visit the KWV Brandy Cellars, the Wine Route and the Kleinplasie Living Open Air Museum. A visit to the Schools for The Deaf and The Blind are rewarding outings. Drive along rugged mountain roads with spectacular scenery, through the imposing Cogmanskloof Tunnel to Montagu (72 km). Enjoy the town's hot water springs, or one of the many hiking trails.

See the wonder filled country for yourself.