When the earthquake hit San Francisco during the World Series in 1989, we were riding Universal Studios relatively new display… “Earthquake”. Irony at its best. We continue to enjoy our vacation despite the tragedy that had befallen San Francisco. There were no lines in which to wait for a trolley. No lines at the wax museums. Restaurants were under crowded for a change. All in all, it was almost as if we received preferential treatment. Not to mention the fact that we were there while history had been made.
Of course I brought home the obligatory tee shirts; Shake, rattle and roll… San Francisco earthquake 1989… 7.1 and something about having survived the quake while visiting Alcatraz. As harsh as it may sound, areas of devastation are not only inexpensive places to visit and cut way back on the waiting lines… It’s also a place that if you choose, you can pitch in and throw a little charity their way by volunteering for Habitat for Humanity and other post-crisis volunteer services. Give a little – get a little.
Writing off New Orleans post Hurricane Katrina, New York City Post 9/11 and Bali post terrorist attacks
Throughout time endless numbers of people have gone to the aid of their fellow mankind. After the terrorist attack in New York, after Katrina devastated New Orleans and more; people traveled to those destinations to help other people. Granted, it wasn’t all fun and games. But it was fulfilling and still possible to enjoying the areas lesser affected by the tragedy. The best news yet… it was a tax write off! Any out-of-pocket expenses that you incur that are directly a result of your volunteering post disaster are tax deductible.
Of course you cannot have been reimbursed by anyone else, and they cannot be considered deductible if they can be deemed personal expenses. That’s pretty broad, though. Let’s say for instance you want to deduct your transportation costs. Car maintenance, gas, train, airlines, parking fees, buses and tolls are covered. Your meals and lodging are absolutely considered to be deductible. Since you’re using this for a vacation, be careful not to include costs that are obviously related to vacation expenses. It goes without saying, that those are not deductible. It also goes without saying that those accommodations you write off cannot be a five star hotel and restaurants. Use your head and try not to go overboard.
Accidental post tragedy vacations
A certain English couple who shall remain nameless seem like your normal everyday couple. One works in a dental lab and the other as a sales manager; they enjoy luxurious, well-planned vacations. As fate would have it however, on three separate occasions (vacations), theirs were not the only plans in the making. Three well-planned terrorist attacks would take place in three different vacation locations, all involving this couple. In 2001, the couple was vacationing in New York City during the 911 attacks. The news quickly spread that over 3000 people were feared dead after the hijacked planes crashed the World Trade Center.
They were touring London in a double-decker bus as the underground bombings shook London to its core. Suicide bombers had attacked and bombed buses and ‘tube trains’ killing 52 commuters. And just when you thought it was safe to vacation in Mumbai, the Indian Metropolitan city was inundated by terrorist attacks. They remain inspired by the amazingly quick recovery of the Indian City. In all three cases, the couple remained unharmed. Talk about your preferential treatment. They are able to maintain their sense of humor about the whole thing however. They see it as a strange coincidence. It might even make a good book. Maybe someone will write an article about them!
Fly away honeymoon
The newlyweds in route to their honeymoon in Saint Lucia wondered why their plane was nearly empty; and why their flight to Saint Lucia had been canceled. They were arriving in Puerto Rico when upon landing received the news… A category four Hurricane Georges was making its way through the area with Puerto Rico in its sights. It would be upon them by sundown. Despite their pleas to the airline to “get us out of here”… they were stranded. They ended up holdup in the ballroom of a hotel with glass shattering and steel shutters banging all around them. The storm eventually subsided and they continued on to Saint Lucia where they spent the rest of their honeymoon. Upon the flight home, they ran into a husband and wife who had flown out on the exact same day. “Did you get nailed by the hurricane too?” they asked the couple.
“No,” the woman replied. “Our airline put us through to Miami because there was a storm on the way.”
What’s that I smell…? Is it a complete reimbursement for the honeymoon? Free tickets to and from anywhere…. for life! Imagine the savings!
This article was written by guest contributor of cheap-buys.com where users can find cheap travel coupons for expedia, cheaptickets, and more.
Definitely New Zaeland is one of the best and most beautiful destinations to travel. The beautiful mountains are meeting the blue Pacific Ocean in one really amazing nature. The beauty of the country can be seen in some of the big cities or the mountain resorts, but the best way to see all the perfect views and sightseeings of New Zaeland it will be great to travel all around. The good way to travel all around is the campervan rental new zealand. Really the service is among the most popular among the tourists visiting this beautiful country. With motorhome new zealand you can see the great mountains and the beautiful beaches. Really the destinations in New Zaeland are giving you great opportunity to see many interesting places, different culture and really great pictures. The country has really beautiful calm beaches, nice lagoons and places, where you can have your holiday away from the noise of the luxury resorts and cities. Really the holiday in New Zaeland will be one of the best and most attractive vacations, which you have ever had.
New Zealand is a country in the Western part of the Pacific Ocean, consisted of many islands, but 2 of them are bigger. Definitely this country is very beautiful and gives you ability for perfect vacation and for great holiday. The country is quite young country, the history of these lands are quite old, while the first monuments of the Maories are dating from more than 1000 years. Really the historical objects are quite interesting and many Europeans visited this place in searching for the route to India, but the most beautiful part of New Zealand vacation is the nature.
The best way to see New Zealand is to travel around the country. The capital Wellington gives you good offers for campervan New Zealand travel, which is really cheap and very good way to see all the nature wonders of the country. Definitely when traveling around the island you will get a lot of great photos and wonderful moment, because the climate of the country is really warm. New Zealand’s landscape is mostly consisted of mountains and you will need a lot of time to see all the beautiful places of the country. The motorhome hire New Zealand is very popular was among the tourists. The warm weather will not interrupt your motorhome vacation, so you should be calm about this. the only problem is the rainy period, which can cause some worries of you, but the infrastructure and tourism is well developed, so you will have a lot of opportunities to find a safety place for your camping
Traveling is a great way to let go of stress and find better opportunities for yourself to enjoy the wonders of foreign lands, cultures and traditions. When you travel, you forget about different problems you have at home and at work and immerse yourself into the atmosphere of a different country. Choosing a manhattan hotel may be very important in this connection because you always have to remember about what is going on. You can be sure to have a really good time if you choose the right place to stay that will offer you great amenities and lots of entertainment. Get the best results of your work and realize what you will gain from it so choose today.
Of the seven islands in the Canary archipelago Tenerife is the largest and most visited. But there are many explanations. Only 5 hours flight and you where always warm: the island is located near Africa. He e with best infrastructure and everything seems designed for leisure. Tenerife has many hotels for every taste and wallet. Even if your budget is not the biggest on the island will always find a suitable resting place. Not only can accommodate in the hotel, but for a reasonable amount to rent a small lodge or even a whole house. Furthermore, there is no danger you to be bored because the island has something to do. You can spend your time actively and cheerfully, walking in nature, explore the local night clubs or just playing golf. Here is the third largest volcano in the world – Teide. The Guanches, local people called the island of Tenerife in honor of the volcano – snow-capped mountains. It is thanks to the volcanic activity of the Teide, this small island has a varied climate in the south and north. To the south the climate is dry, the landscape is rocky and the vegetation consists mainly of cacti. To the north is the opposite – it is wet, so the vegetation is much richer. There are about 1200 species of plants so that Tenerife can be called not only “snowy mountain”, but “island with two faces. It sounds very nice that Tenerife is in Europe. Culture, service and cuisine are also European! On the island there are no harmful insects and wild animals dangerous to man, no diseases peculiar to exotic islands. But most importantly beautiful nature: fresh air and beaches covered with black volcanic sand, which has a positive impact on the whole organism.
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Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. It is located in the southernmost part of mainland North America, better known as Central America. The northwest border with Nicaragua, Panama to the southeast. Costa Rica’s territory is 51,100 square kilometers Geographical situation and the reason is to be one of the most promising tourism countries in the world. It is located in sub-equatorial climate zone. Therefore, the conditions are suitable for year-round tourism. Northeast Costa Rica is facing the Caribbean Sea and the southwest – the Pacific Ocean. Proximity to the U.S. market makes them to be more attractive to American visitors. Costa Rica has sub-equatorial climate with high temperatures throughout the year. Change the country claims to be one of the best in the world. The capital San Jose has average daily temperatures of 24 to 26 ° C all year. Night temperatures are between 14 and 16 ° C. Therefore, the conditions are very easily affordable. From December to April rainfall is negligible. Rainy season is from May to November. Lemon City, which is located on the east coast has a daily average temperatures of 29 to 31 ° C. Night is about 20 ° C. Rainfall is heavy throughout the year. The climate is similar to the equatorial, but only the ocean shore. The interior are seasonal rainfall. There are rainy and dry season.
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No other airport as the Punta Cana (Dominican Republic). I say only positive feelings. Deplane and cheerfully trot down the track to the thatched roof of the buildings at the airport, about 30 meters from the nose.
The only thing we should be careful not to cross the “red line” on the ground to bring us not the engine of a plane. Five minutes later, the airport and go diving in wet and hot air of the Dominican Republic. Organization meeting our perfect throw on the bus half an hour later to find ourselves at the hotel. The Holidays to Dominican Republic are prefered by many people, because of the atmosphere and the fiesta which is all around. This is why we also prefered to join this party. The hotel is excellent. The spacious and elegantly furnished room, even has a jacuzzi on the balcony. Barcelo Bavaro Palace is part of “all inclusive” resort ot 6 the hotel chain Barcelo. The complex has 12 restaurants, where you can eat, having breakfast, lunch and dinner. Refreshing shower and a rich breakfast make great home after our stay filled with mishaps and 14 hour flight delay, we have spent hanging terminal in Madrid. Not sleeping to the castle on the beach, with a firm intention not to lose any moment of time spent here in meaningless dream. The beach is just as the cards. The sand is white and fluffy, never heating up. Comfortable lounges under the shade of palm trees, a bar – nearby, so that is a complete blur. Of course, one could spend 10 days relaxing holiday, as does nothing else than to serve the beach, but the Dominican Republic offers other entertainment.
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Through the streets of Delhi and surrounding cities, which are part of NCR Delhi, you can see quite a variety of services carried out on the street, and other interesting things for sale. I give you some of the things that impressed me in one way or another
1. Barber, Hairdresser
You need a new haircut or you just lazy to shave themselves? Here it is the decision for you! You’ll find it any more lively place. Barber of Seville, turnip to eat!
2. Optional services the customer. And I forgot, there’s coal-powered iron! (Watch behind the tailor)
3. PCs and monitors per kilogram. Nehru Place – Delhi. (soft trade in computers and accessories)
4. Indian subsidiary of Stemo proudly serves the owners of HP printers and copying machines. Exactly where you need!
5. And perhaps the coolest shakes I’ve ever drank. You can enjoy a super ridiculous price. They are located in Canada Place or speaking properly Connaught Place – the heart of Delhi! You will not regret it if you try! (apologies for the bad picture, but I have better)
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